2D Design Alternatives

[KGS_CJB]

Hello

 

Our school uses 2D design to teach GCSE and A Level curriculum for DT. I am seeking alternatives that have support for both Windows and Mac.

 

What do you use in your institution? Did you face any challenges in network deployment?

 

Thanks!

[PotNoodleTech]

2d design is a funny one, it's a niche that no other product quite fits in - much simpler to use and understand than other vector software but still very powerful in the right hands.

 

We've been looking for a replacement for the last 2 years and cant quite find something that will replace it well.

[6Foot2]

An earlier thread on the same topic with 1 posts:

 

Link: 2D Design Alternatives

[2ilent8cho]

2D Design V2 behaves very well in WINE, so I just used Wineskin years ago to make a bottle for it and and deployed to our Mac Labs, Technology have used it ever since no issue.

[3s-gtech]

I think v3 is on a very similar codebase - certainly worth wrapping it up to see.

[thimon]

+1 for V3, that’s what we purchased. If you can provide your V2 license key you’ll get a discount.

[dmj]

2d design is a funny one, it's a niche that no other product quite fits in - much simpler to use and understand than other vector software but still very powerful in the right hands.

 

We've been looking for a replacement for the last 2 years and cant quite find something that will replace it well.

 

Been there. Same experience.

 

The wine solution looks good though.

[jthompson]

V3 has a Linux version, iirc. Does that make running it on a Mac more achievable?

[Julian]

I agree about 2D design bein a easy to use program. If you need somthing much more powerfull, as a school you can get free access to AutoDesk products (https://www.autodesk.com/education/home)

[Chris_Cook]

Our Head of DT has found this today, but we've not looked into it yet:

 

https://www.focuseducational.com/focus-2d-vector-graphics-designer/

[PotNoodleTech]

Our Head of DT has found this today, but we've not looked into it yet:

 

https://www.focuseducational.com/focus-2d-vector-graphics-designer/

 

Hah thats funny my head of DT sent that to me today too!

 

Seems reasonably priced.

[KGS_CJB]

Thank you all for the quick responses!

 

I had a play around with Wineskin and Porting Kit. I *think* i've successfully wrapped 2d design V3. Going to do some further testing, but looks promising so far.

[paulkerton]

This is one of those pieces of software where I have the exact opposite argument to the "but it isn't industry standard" argument I have every time we suggest alternative software. I've yet to find a true cloud alternative though, if anyone is aware of one? I am loathed to attempt a lift-and-move to the cloud with 2D Design or its follow ups.

[dmj]

V3 has a Linux version, iirc. Does that make running it on a Mac more achievable?

 

No, you'd still need the source code to recompile it for a mac kernel.

You could feasibly run it in a linux container though (which is technically inside a VM)

[Aprice]

I recently bought Progecad for doing electrical schematics, it's essentially a much cheaper AutoCAD. It's much more powerful but much more complicated.

 

I think 2D design fits the education niche perfectly, a couple of tweaks would be nice (granted haven't used V3 yet)

[PotNoodleTech]

I think v3 is on a very similar codebase - certainly worth wrapping it up to see.

 

V3 seems to be pretty much V2 with a couple of bells and whistles - am I right in thinking it will be just as useless moving forward with regards to supporting windows 11 and complying with cybersecurity best practice (regular updates, etc)?

[3s-gtech]

Well, I’d be almost certain it supports Windows 11 as is - it is properly written software and you’d be surprised how good compatibility is if a program was written well, going back to XP.

 

From a cyber security aspect - it will only need updates if it has flaws that make the system vulnerable. We have got so used to continuously updated software as a service - but if it ain’t broke, does it need fixing?

 

-not a Techsoft employee!

[jthompson]

The only update for V3 that I can remember having to roll out was to fix something relating to the licensing/activation aspect of it, rather than the core application.

[NixNerd]

Anyone tried Inkscape instead of 2D Design - https://inkscape.org/

 

I seem to recall using it to lasercut a perspex case for a model B Raspberry Pi, waaaay back in the day

 

Cross platform and open source too

[Chris_Cook]

Well, I’d be almost certain it supports Windows 11 as is - it is properly written software and you’d be surprised how good compatibility is if a program was written well, going back to XP.

 

From a cyber security aspect - it will only need updates if it has flaws that make the system vulnerable. We have got so used to continuously updated software as a service - but if it ain’t broke, does it need fixing?

 

-not a Techsoft employee!

 

 

Yes to comply with the current rules/insurance, but whether updates have been released and installed is really a different question to if the software is being analysed + tested and patches developed for any issues being discovered. Developers aren't always going to know about issues unless someone has told them. And they might not develop patches for issues they know about, and issues might not be made public.

 

That's not aimed at Techsoft in particular, but it applies to all developers. And especially when looking at older software that isn't getting many updates.

 

Something we need to start looking at as software purchasers is what technical expertise does a developer have (or is hiring in) with regard to cyber security. Its a specialism that not all developers are going to have.

[3s-gtech]

Yes to comply with the current rules/insurance.

…in England.

 

Not making excuses, but we’re not covered by that over the border!

 

Again, not making excuses for unpatched software, but Techsoft haven’t just released an old clunker that we’ve kept on with - there is active development.

 

All depends how dee you want to go with compliance. It’s a rabbit hole, but your active exploits are most likely to come from that an unpatched Exchange server, a creaking print server or a user clicking on boobies!