Compatibility with Linux?

Feature requests
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I’ve seen several posts in my searching that are asking about it, but none of them really made a solid argument for WHY there should be compatibility with Linux, so here goes.

Linux, both as an OS and the community of users, has always been pretty niche. But, they (we) are growing in numbers.

Apple sells overpriced hardware and software with minimal customization options. What they do, they do great, but there’s not much that they can do. There are many people who cannot stand apple products, and their user base is shrinking. More people are switching to Windows or third party OS software, because they’re sick of the limitations imposed by Apple.

Windows has different issues. Windows is taking notes from EA and is starting to make everything either a micro transaction, or subscription service. Many people (such as myself) have switched to Linux either as primary, or exclusive OS as a result.

Personally, I have two Linux devices, a Windows device, and an iPad.

My laptop and Steam Deck both use Linux, I have Arch Manjaro on the laptop, and the Steam OS also uses Arch for the infrastructure, and the KDE Plasma desktop environment. My PC is running Windows 10, only because I need Windows for certain programs, and my iPad is used exclusively for Shapr3D.

For 3D printing, my process looks like this. I export the model from Shapr3D to OneDrive usingmy iPad, go to my PC, download and slice it, then to my 3D printer to print.

I could use Cura to slice on my laptop or Steam Deck, but I’d still have to use two different devices for modeling and slicing. My PC is not powerful enough to run any modeling software, and struggles with slicers as well.

I’ve always seen Shapr3D as a more user friendly, cheaper, more portable alternative to the bigger CAD software, such as Fusion360 or SolidWorks.

Many new Linux users switched because they get the best bang for their buck. Shapr3D is already the best value for the dollar compared to any other CAD software I’ve used or considered using, so there’s already a market. Because if I have to have Windows for software anyway, I might as well stick to what I’m used to.

Those same users, if they no longer have to keep a Windows device for this software, would see that move as being user friendly.

Now to portability. As stated, one of my Linux devices is a Steam Deck. Steam Decks are portable gaming PCs, which are just a little bigger than a full size Nintendo Switch. A similarly spec’d full size PC would be in the ballpark of $1200, whereas the most expensive Steam Deck (1TB OLED) Is just over $700 after taxes. Most Steam Deck users are into many other “high tech” hobbies, especially 3D printing (as observed from various 3D printing and Steam Deck groups I’m in)

Many Steam Deck users have also switched their Steam Deck to being their primary computer. Some of whom have dual booted it with Windows specifically because of software that is simply not compatible with Linux.

I feel that, as a company, it would be very profitable to make a Linux compatible version of the software. Because chances are, if you’re using Linux, you probably also have a 3D printer.

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I just want to put my two cents here, I’m in a similar situation to OP. Because of Microsoft pushing AI into everything, and shipping features that are horrible security concerns, I have switched to daily driving Ubuntu Linux full time on my desktop, and I don’t currently plan on ever going back to Microsoft.

I would love to see Shapr3d be available for Linux, I fell in love with the software from the first time I used it, and it was nice to seamlessly go from working on my iPad on the couch to my desktop. However, while my iPad pro is a fantastic device, it’s several years old at this point, and doesn’t keep up with my desktop for performance, so it limits the complexity of models I can create. I also, of course, don’t have a slicer on my iPad for 3d printing, and in the past, I would export my models on my PC.

Since switching to Linux full time as my daily driver for my desktop, I have let my subscription to Shapr3D lapse, and I’m currently looking for alternative solutions, because, while nothing else can really compare, I can’t justify the cost if I have to stick to the limitations of my iPad.

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Shapr3d on Linux would be dream come true!

But I looked at old posts and the answer to Linux is a Hard NO!

I think the reason is Linux community obsessed with Open Source and Free Software model. Everything against that is criticized and mocked.

If Linux model succeeded I see Shapr 3d Modeling Distro!

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There is paid and closed source software on Linux already, and with the push the Steam Deck is making, it’s driving the OS more mainstream so I don’t see why the community would be a road block to making a version available for Linux. In fact I have already seen several posts on Redit and other places trying to get Shapr3d to run under wine, so there is at least some demand there.

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I say new Distro because essentially Steam Deck OS is a new Distro focused on games, so you should be able to run Steam OS in any hardware with some work? I don’t think it’s 100% open source.

Steam Deck is an appliance that happens to run Linux, like Chromebook, the side benefit was showcasing gaming on Linux. Chromebook benefit was creating mostly cheap education appliance for EDU. So my point was create Steam Deck but for 3d Modeling.

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Steam OS is just an Arch linux distro that has been tweaked specifically for the hardware. Valve is working on a version that can be installed more generically, and there are a few new handhelds coming out soon that will have SteamOS out of the box.

But all of the Steam gaming stuff also works on other linux distributions as well, I run Ubuntu, which is a fork of Debian linux, and all of the Steam and Proton stuff just works the same as on my Steam Deck and I game with no issues. I also use the same KDE desktop environment as Steam OS has in it’s Desktop mode, and I use the same Discover software center that the Steam Deck uses for updates.

There wouldn’t need to be a whole distribution for Shapr3D, just the software compiled for the linux kernel and provided in a place where it could be downloaded along with any dependencies.

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I get you!

I was not thinking logically but remembering back when BEOS promised us MultiMedia OS.

Ubuntu Creative Studio, Kali OS…

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I would also love to be able to use Shapr3D on a Linux platform. With my migration off of OneNote later this month, Shapr3D is the last app that ties me to the Windows platform. The lack of Linux support nearly drove me to Alibre in my decision on selecting a new CAD platform for my new startup, but Shapr3D seems to offer enough benefit to outweigh the platform drawbacks for now. (I kicked Apple to the curb about 3 years ago.)

I get that hardware support on Linux is a PITA (and pen and touch are often not well supported in some combos of Linux hardware and drivers), but maybe there’s some way to support certain hardware configurations, perhaps a somewhat more modern update of something like this: StarLite 12.5-inch – Star Labs® (Note that they support 6 distros on their hardware from the factory (and you wouldn’t have to necessarily support all of them), providing a nice range of support with a reasonably constrained development and support effort.)

FWIW, I used to be in charge of software for half of Dell (the laptop brands), so I understand the issues, but Linux really is becoming much more mainstream among creators and small/medium engineering shops. I hope to see Shapr3D on Linux in coming years, and volunteer as an alpha/beta tester if you decide to try this…

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