DWG/DXF

[Arnulf Christl]

Frank Warmerdam wrote:

> ANDY CANFIELD wrote:
>
>> The problem is the open DWG libraries are not open source and have
>> pretty
>> restrictive licensing agreements to using them, especially if you are
>> putting them into a commercial product.
>
>
> Andy,
>
> I would definately want to work from the OpenDWG libraries for exactly
> the
> reasons of complexity that you have noted.  DWG implemented in OGR would
> be an optional format, and it would be up to the end user (or whoever is
> building the application for distribution) to license the OpenDWG
> libraries
> and build it in themselves.  The OpenDWG licensing fees for "in house"
> use
> are pretty reasonable as I recall.
>
> However, this would still fall a long ways from being an open source
> solution
> to the problem.  It could however be quite a useful solution for some
> users
> of MapServer that want to work with Autocad maps.
>
> I don't personally relish the thought of trying to duplicate the work the
> OpenDWG alliance has already done.
>
> Best regards,
> --
> ---------------------------------------+--------------------------------------
>
> I set the clouds in motion - turn up   | Frank Warmerdam,
> warmerdam at pobox.com
> light and sound - activate the windows | http://pobox.com/~warmerdam
> and watch the world go round - Rush    | Geospatial Programmer for Rent
>
Thanx for the precise information. Seems like there are two possible
solutions in the long run.

We have to convince people to not fall into the closed format trap. Then
help them migrate to open formats.

Or integrate closed source better with OGR and not know how long DWG
will take to be changed again.

In the end it is up to the end user. If he will finance the coding, it
will be done. We know of a few, anybody else want to join? Please
contact me on or offline so that we cann discuss details.

Regards, Arnulf.