I want to share an interesting list of 50 top Open Source alternatives for expensive software. From the standpoint of customers, expensive software starts at price $200 US. Numbers 9 and 10 in the list are two Open Source CAD packages – BRL-CAD and Archimedes as a possible replacements for AutoCAD. There is no PLM systems mentioned in the list.
CAD
9. BRL-CAD Replaces: AutoCAD ($1,289)
Originally developed by the military, BRL-CAD has been around for more than 20 years, so it’s both stable and full-featured. Its modeling capabilities have been used to design and analyze vehicles, houses, mechanical parts, weapons systems and more. Operating System: Windows, Linux, OS X, others.
10. Archimedes Replaces: AutoCAD ($1,289)
Aimed primarily at architects, Archimedes can create both 2D and 3D designs like AutoCAD. However, because it’s still in the earlier stages of development, its features aren’t quite as robust as AutoCAD. Operating System: Windows, Linux, OS X
What is my take? I think Open Source becomes more visible. Some legal eagles are trying to make Open Source life more complicated by trying to apply “legal tax” on it. Just my thougths…
Best, Oleg
