Fusion 360

[Clive S]

Fusion360 See this:- https://www.autodesk.com/campaigns/fusion-360-for-hobbyists?mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiWkRSaE56WXpNV1F5WWpkaCIs InQiOiJsUGczTEhFU3A3UWMybU1wR0FlMGVwcTFhQXRkUkthZF pMRTNLZFEwNzJiaUM3TGJIVEIrXC85NUtRZHVHQzZMU0ttRmw0 Wlwvd3EzdFJER2VzeEJWbzN5Q1hHSFZ6MDJLSVByc3ZvUXlDRk JHWkpTN3dyXC9adXI4Q2xWQjk2U0t2M2Urc1o3UTQ0QjgrYVFt U1wvaHdsdWF3PT0ifQ%3D%3D

It looks like a slippery road down hill

[Neale]

I've just renewed under the new terms and conditions. As far as I can see, as a "home and hobby" user, almost nothing has changed except that the collaboration tools are no longer available. In the few years that I have been using (and teaching others to use) the product, I think I have only wanted to share a design once. I don't think that that is an unreasonable restriction for "home and hobby" use as you can still share the f3d files.

However, I may well have missed something else of significance that has been removed from "our" version - anyone know what that might be?

[m_c]

I received the email about it a couple days ago.

I always suspected the free lunch would end at some point, as Autodesk have essentially been developing F360 to get market share back from Solidworks, so it's no surprise given they've gained a large user base, they now want to maximise return on all their effort.

From a quick look at hobby restrictions, you're still getting full design and manufacture (CAD + CAM) functionality, but losing everything else, which could be quite a bit, as other key features have separate headers on the features page - https://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/features
I can understand removing Simulation and other advanced functions, but 3D modelling is a major feature, and they're going to lose a lot of 3D printer users if hobbyists don't get access to the Rapid Prototyping stuff.

Has anybody had a look through the F360 forums to see if there's a breakdown/comparison between what the different levels of users get?

[Neale]

I don't think it's quite that bad. From the Autodesk site:

Fusion 360 for free personal use includes all capabilities, except:

Phone and email technical support
Team collaboration and data management
Commercial translators (such as NX, Catia, SOLIDWORKS, Inventor, PTC Creo, etc.)*
AnyCAD (non-destructive, native CAD translation and referencing)*

This table (https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/fusion-360/learn-explore/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Fusion-360-Free-License-Changes.html#features) seems to be the best guide to what's in and what's out - and it does look like only the "Team" feature is changing.

This list (https://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/features) of features is a bit confusing as, for example, CAM is listed under both rapid prototyping and manufacturing. Although there is some stuff under "RP" for 3D printer support, my guess is that a lot of hobby users would export an STL file and then process that with their favourite slicer package, rather than limit themselves to whatever F360 supports. At least, that's what I always do!

[m_c]

That table does make things a bit clearer, and does mean I could probably still sneak by with the personal license, as I do make use of the simulation occasionally, and it'll save the hassle of jumping through the hoops for the startup license.

The only projects I've got in F360 are all either machine modification related, or personal projects.
All my business stuff is either done in CamBam, or manually, as I like to keep close tabs on where my money making data is kept!

[Neale]

At least F360 notionally keeps "cloud" data private (although I wouldn't put that much faith in that). OnDesign, probably its main online competition, quite openly says that if you want a free licence, you have to make your data publicly available.

Given that my projects are all money sinks rather than money sources, I'm not that worried either way:smile:

[Clive S]

If anybody is interested I have found this:-
https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/fusion-360/learn-explore/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Fusion-360-Free-License-Changes.html?fbclid=IwAR19aXfD3UkqGDUP53IMdz4wKPsY DTSv6UepVl0qo732GDCphHyYipbzT64

[m_c]

Clive, Neale already posted that link ;-)

[Doddy]

The only issue I've noticed is having a design open on one computer (I do all the hard work in the comfort of my toy room) and later trying to open the same design on the shed computer for CAMing - I was prompted in the shed to allow the design to be closed on the first computer. First time I'd seen this happen, having used this principle for quite a while now.

[Clive S]

Clive, Neale already posted that link ;-)

Thanks. Sorry I must have missed it

[Neale]

This place is just like being at home - no-one listens to a word I say...

:smile:

[Clive S]

This place is just like being at home - no-one listens to a word I say...

:smile:

Pardon :nightmare: