So…I’ve been using F360 for quite a while as free personal user. Out of the blue, it swaps me over to a 30 day trial use…WTF
I’m not sure how this is gonna work out, has anyone else had this happen??
TIA…Paul
I’ve tried to stop using fusion mostly because it’s getting to where they hide too much stuff behind a paywall and I’ve been using other software that is more user friendly for cad design but the 30 day trial just never really stopped but maybe there is a different version to download for it to stop nagging you. They still do a makers version that is basically a trial/ free and I just installed it on my new laptop last weekend. It’s limited to the amount of files you can save in their cloud and what you can save locally is limited to being an older archive format last I bother to screw with it. The only thing I use it for currently is adding threads if I am sending it off to someone for drilling and tapping but I think the free version allows dxf archives to save locally so you should still be in good shape with the free/trial version. I think it’s referred to as “for personal use” but limited import and export types so not sure if it will still work with arcdroid post processing. Pretty sure it will.
I just took a second look and you need to not download the trial and use the avenue to download the fusion for personal use path. You have to sign in and then enter your email address and then the page will pop up with a link for you to download it
THANKS for the reply! I like F360 OK but it can be a PITA sometimes. If They start nagging to purchase their $$$ licensed version, I’m gone. I don’t do this for a living, just as a little side line.
Any suggestion for a program that is perhaps more user friendly that still has a post processor that works with AD??
Thanks for your help.
Paul
Unfortunately not at the time. My plasma cutting activities have been limited to hand cut stuff. I’ve been eyeing the arcdroid vs the langmuir system for a while and just not sure which way to go. I’ve just used cad in the past for 3d printing so somewhat familiar with fusion. Lately I have just been using shapr3d for drawing. It works on ipad with touch/pen as well as mac and windows so very easy to cross over from one device to another and do a drawing. It has the ability to export drawings so what I usually do is if i need something with threads in it it, shapr3d doesn’t have a built in thread tool yet, so I will export the finished drawing and then just add threads in fusion and save it.
Sadly, you’re going to struggle to find a parametric CAD program that’s easier to drive than Fusion. Plenty more capable, a few with less shitty (IMO) corporate ethics than Autodesk but nearly all will be harder to drive.
If you’re looking for free - try FreeCAD. It’s gotten steadily better over the years and is exactly, properly free. But it’s still plenty buggy and, when you ask for “user experience and ease of operation” it replies “Sure!” and dumps a sloppy turd on you.
I use Solidworks at work and it gives me a smoother, more productive workflow particularly with big multipart assemblies. And there’s no sneaking around with limited versions and paywalls, or holding your data hostage. Once you start talking to their resellers they’re quite up front about just how hard you’re about to get shafted.
I’m just gonna stick with F360 and play the game. They dropped the full version on me as a trial for 30 days and it is quite amazing with the biggest asset being AUTOCONSTRAIN. Whew, it works great…but not for the price.
