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Running AutoCAD on a Raspberry Pi

Last updated on 2 months ago
C
caaSuper Admin
Posted 2 months ago
Method 1: Use a Remote Desktop Connection

The simplest and most effective way to run AutoCAD on a Raspberry Pi is by using a remote desktop connection to access a more powerful computer running AutoCAD. Here's how you can do it:
Step 1: Set Up a Remote Desktop Server on Your Windows PC

Install AutoCAD on your Windows PC if you haven't already.

Enable Remote Desktop:
Windows 10/11 Pro:
Open Settings > System > Remote Desktop.
Toggle on Enable Remote Desktop.
Windows Home:
Use third-party software like Chrome Remote Desktop or TeamViewer.

Configure Remote Desktop Settings:
Make sure your PC is discoverable on the network.
Set up a static IP or use a hostname for easy access.

Allow Remote Desktop Through Firewall:
Open Control Panel > System and Security > Windows Defender Firewall > Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall.
Ensure Remote Desktop is checked for both Private and Public networks.

Step 2: Set Up Raspberry Pi for Remote Access

Install a Remote Desktop Client:
RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol):

bash

sudo apt update
sudo apt install remmina

Chrome Remote Desktop:
Install Chrome on both Raspberry Pi and PC.
Set up Chrome Remote Desktop following these instructions.

Connect to Your Windows PC:

Open Remmina and create a new connection.
Enter the IP address or hostname of your Windows PC.
Set the protocol to RDP and connect.

Run AutoCAD:

Once connected, launch AutoCAD on your remote Windows PC through the Raspberry Pi interface.
C
caaSuper Admin
Posted 2 months ago
continued...

sudo apt update
sudo apt install remmina

Chrome Remote Desktop:
Install Chrome on both Raspberry Pi and PC.
Set up Chrome Remote Desktop following these instructions.

Connect to Your Windows PC:

Open Remmina and create a new connection.
Enter the IP address or hostname of your Windows PC.
Set the protocol to RDP and connect.

Run AutoCAD:

Once connected, launch AutoCAD on your remote Windows PC through the Raspberry Pi interface.
C
caaSuper Admin
Posted 2 months ago
Method 2: Use Wine and ExaGear Desktop

Although Wine is typically used to run Windows applications on Linux, it's not natively supported on ARM-based systems like the Raspberry Pi. However, you can use ExaGear Desktop, a commercial emulator, to run x86 applications. Note that this method is less straightforward and might not provide the best performance.
Step 1: Set Up ExaGear Desktop

Purchase and Download ExaGear Desktop:
ExaGear is no longer officially supported, but you might find older versions online.

Install ExaGear Desktop:

bash

sudo dpkg -i exagear-desktop-rpi.deb
sudo apt-get install -f

Run ExaGear:

bash

exagear

Step 2: Install Wine

Download and Install Wine:

bash

sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386
sudo apt update
sudo apt install wine

Configure Wine:
Run winecfg to set up the Wine environment.

Step 3: Install AutoCAD

Install AutoCAD:
Download the AutoCAD installer.
Run it using Wine:

bash

wine setup.exe

Run AutoCAD:

Once installed, use Wine to launch AutoCAD:

bash

wine "C:Program FilesAutoCADAutoCAD.exe"
C
caaSuper Admin
Posted 2 months ago
continued...

sudo apt update
sudo apt install wine

Configure Wine:
Run winecfg to set up the Wine environment.

Step 3: Install AutoCAD

Install AutoCAD:
Download the AutoCAD installer.
Run it using Wine:

bash

wine setup.exe

Run AutoCAD:

Once installed, use Wine to launch AutoCAD:

bash

wine "C:Program FilesAutoCADAutoCAD.exe"
C
caaSuper Admin
Posted 2 months ago
Method 3: Use a Virtual Machine

If you have a powerful enough Raspberry Pi (e.g., Raspberry Pi 4 with 8GB RAM), you can run a virtual machine with Windows and AutoCAD. This method requires considerable resources and may not be practical for larger projects.
Step 1: Install a Virtual Machine Software

Install QEMU:

bash

sudo apt update
sudo apt install qemu-system

Download a Windows ISO:
Obtain a Windows installation ISO compatible with your license.

Step 2: Create a Virtual Machine

Create a Virtual Disk:

bash

qemu-img create -f qcow2 windows.img 20G

Run the Virtual Machine:

bash

qemu-system-x86_64 -m 2048 -hda windows.img -cdrom path/to/windows.iso -boot d

Install Windows:
Follow the installation process to set up Windows.

Step 3: Install AutoCAD

Install AutoCAD:
Once Windows is installed, run the AutoCAD installer.

Run AutoCAD:
Use the virtual machine interface to launch AutoCAD.
C
caaSuper Admin
Posted 2 months ago
Step 3: Install AutoCAD

Install AutoCAD:
Once Windows is installed, run the AutoCAD installer.

Run AutoCAD:
Use the virtual machine interface to launch AutoCAD.

Method 4: Use a Cloud-Based Solution

Another option is to use cloud-based CAD solutions, which can be accessed via a web browser on the Raspberry Pi. This eliminates the need for powerful local hardware.
Step 1: Choose a Cloud-Based CAD Platform

Onshape:
Visit Onshape and sign up for an account.
Access your CAD projects through the browser.

AutoCAD Web App:
Visit AutoCAD Web App and log in with your AutoCAD account.

Fusion 360:
Access Fusion 360 through a virtual desktop or the web interface if available.

Step 2: Access Cloud CAD

Open Browser on Raspberry Pi:
Use Chromium or Firefox for the best experience.

Navigate to the CAD Platform:
Log in and start your CAD projects online.

Conclusion

Running AutoCAD on a Raspberry Pi can be achieved through several methods, but the most practical solution is using remote desktop access. This allows you to leverage the power of a more capable machine while still using your Raspberry Pi as a thin client. Alternatively, cloud-based solutions offer a lightweight approach without the need for heavy installations.

Each method has its pros and cons, so choose the one that best fits your needs and the resources available.
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