LibreCAD is a free Open Source CAD application for Windows, Apple, and Linux. Support and documentation are free from our large, dedicated community of users, contributors, and developers. LibreCAD has been downloaded over 1 million times and is used worldwide for industrial design, mechanical engineering, architecture, gardening, and more! The developers have worked hard to make LibreCAD easy to use yet powerful enough for advanced users. For example, LibreCAD supports multiple layers, unlimited undo/redo, and patterns. In addition, LibreCAD can be extended with plugins written in C++ or Python. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced CAD user, LibreCAD is a great choice for your next project.
In the following tutorial, you will learn how to install LibreCAD on Ubuntu 22.04 LTS Jammy Jellyfish using two methods with APT using the default Ubuntu repository or by importing the official LaunchPAD PPA and installing the most up-to-date version using the command line terminal.
Table of Contents
Update Ubuntu
First, before you begin, perform a quick update to your system to ensure all existing packages are up-to-date to avoid any conflicts during the installation.
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgradeInstall LibreCAD – APT Ubuntu Method
The first method is to install LibreCAD directly from Ubuntu 22.04 default repository. This is considered best practice for those who want stable software on Ubuntu and do not mind that the version may be behind in updates and new features.
In your command terminal, run the following command.
sudo apt install librecad -yInstall LibreCAD – APT PPA Method
The first step is to import that LibreCAD PPA maintained by Alexander Pozdnyakov for users seeking an updated version while still using the APT package manager.
The following dependencies will need to be installed. Most of these packages are already on your system, but running the command can help ensure they are installed.
sudo apt install dirmngr ca-certificates software-properties-common gnupg gnupg2 apt-transport-https -yNext, import the GPG key needed for all the repositories.
If you have issues importing the GPG key, please see the end section on GPG troubleshooting at the end of the article.
sudo gpg --no-default-keyring --keyring /usr/share/keyrings/alex-p.gpg --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys 8529B1E0F8BF7F65C12FABB0A4BCBD87CEF9E52DExample output:
gpg: keybox '/usr/share/keyrings/alex-p.gpg' created
gpg: key A4BCBD87CEF9E52D: public key "Launchpad PPA for Alex_P" imported
gpg: Total number processed: 1
gpg: imported: 1
Now import using the following command.
echo 'deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/alex-p.gpg] https://ppa.launchpadcontent.net/alex-p/librecad/ubuntu jammy main' | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list.d/librecad.listNow, update your repository list to reflect the new additions.
sudo apt updateWith the setup complete, execute the installation command to install.
sudo apt install librecad -yHow to Launch LibreCAD
The best method is to use the following desktop path to launch LibreCAD.
Activities > Show Applications > LibreCAD
Example:
The first time you open LibreCAD, you will be prompted to set some options; most of these are self-explanatory, such as units of measurement like millimeters, centimeters, etc.
Example:
From here, you can begin using the software for your designs, LibreCAD has a great community, and I recommend checking it out if you are new to this software.
Example:
How to Update/Upgrade LibreCAD
Most users would often update when the desktop GUI notifies them, which is excellent. But I would always recommend updating using the command line terminal with CLI to ensure updates are getting processed.
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgradeHow to Remove/Uninstall LibreCAD
The removal of LibreCAD is straightforward. For users that want to remove the software entirely, use the following command.
sudo apt autoremove librecad --purge -yNote that this will delete all data, including all database data added with the –purge flag. Do not use the purge end flag if you wish to keep the data.
Next, remove the PPA that you used initially to import LibreCAD.
sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/librecad.listHow to Fix Broken GPG Import
For users who have not previously imported a GPG key from the Ubuntu keyserver, the command line terminal will often have issues importing GPG keys from LaunchPAD PPAs due to the directories not being created. This is an easy fix. Use the following command that will, in turn, generate the directories.
sudo gpg --list-keysExample output:
As above, the necessary directories have been created. This can be skipped, and use the following GPG import command below. If you have any issues with directories missing for this and any other PPA GPG key in the future, just run the above command.
Comments and Conclusion
If you’re looking for a powerful, free CAD application that’s easy to use and supported by an enthusiastic community of users and developers, LibreCAD is a perfect choice. With over 1 million downloads and users in over 180 countries, LibreCAD is a trusted tool for industrial design, mechanical engineering, architecture, gardening, and more.