schmitty will be in to tell you whats best

 

It depends on what you want to do.
I don't use an inexpensive CAD software so I can only say what I have heard from companies I work with that use the same high-end software I do (Siemens NX).
I have heard from many companies that are trying to save money for the basic work, that Fusion 360 does a good job.
I have some friends that work at AutoDesk, and even on the Fusion 360 project. One thing to be aware of is there will be a price hike on that software when they get enough users.
I would not use it if I needed to have forever access to the work I was doing. That rules out any web based app.

If you can tell me what you want to do, I can possibly suggest some alternatives.

I have also used MasterCAM but that isn't inexpensive and is not a good software for design.

 

I used to be able to find/get "cracked" Mastercam and even had the reps help me being a one man show. I helped get them into 4 shops previous so they looked the other way. But the young guns wanted to bust me for the software.

I think it was BOBcam that was respectable and cheap to buy. It all depends on your level of difficulty, type of work ( like 2, 3 or 4 axis) that would dictate what software to get. I have seen some shops run on purely the machines conversational programs and sub programs.

 

Depends what your doing... 2d or 3D....

personally I like fusion but idk what u did to it on your system

 

Depends what your doing... 2d or 3D....
personally I like fusion but idk what u did to it on your system

3D, it looks like the free for hobbyists is now limited to 1 year..

Define "reasonably priced"...

Say $500 or less.

It depends on what you want to do.
I don't use an inexpensive CAD software so I can only say what I have heard from companies I work with that use the same high-end software I do (Siemens NX).
I have heard from many companies that are trying to save money for the basic work, that Fusion 360 does a good job.
I have some friends that work at AutoDesk, and even on the Fusion 360 project. One thing to be aware of is there will be a price hike on that software when they get enough users.
I would not use it if I needed to have forever access to the work I was doing. That rules out any web based app.

If you can tell me what you want to do, I can possibly suggest some alternatives.

I have also used MasterCAM but that isn't inexpensive and is not a good software for design.

Just fairly basic 3 axis stuff. I did like the simulator feature in Fusion..

I've read a bit on MeshCam..seems like a fairly easy to use software, basic, but might be suitable..

 

You can get a $20 version of solid works from Gilroy for $20.
Other than that it’s fusion 360

 

Define "reasonably priced"...

 

Oh and btw. Fuck schitty!

 

FreeCAD isn't Fusion 360, but for 3d modelling its probably the best of the free stuff.

 

Solidworks at home fusion 360 at work.

Im thrilled with fusion so far, just got it last week. The 3 year deal ended up being about 350/yr

 

If you are limited to $500, but need good 3D, maybe you can see what they have at a nearby College or Urban Workshop.
If you want to do simple CNC machining, Fusion is good enough for basic stuff.
If you want to make anything like manifold castings, blocks or heads, find a way to get your hands on Siemens NX. Knowing that software opens up good job opportunities all over the world.
The easier to use software like Solidworks are good to know but if you think you might want to do it for a job understand that jobs using them typically pay about 1/2 as much as CATIA or NX. It is worth the effort to learn the more complex software.

If anyone has a question about using NX just ask, I will be happy to help.

 

Should have mentioned, fusion on my work computer wasn't working well with 8gb ram, so I stuck 16gb in there and now runs smoothly

 

I'm only running 8GB..it would take forever to load, and then freeze up as I was working, kind of glitchy..maybe that's my problem.

 

40 bucks.

Pro/Engineer Wildfire (with CD-ROM containing Pro/E Wildfire Software): Gary Lamit: 9780534400835: Books

Pro/Engineer Wildfire (with CD-ROM containing Pro/E Wildfire Software): Gary Lamit: 9780534400835: Books

www.amazon.com

 

Might be OK to learn but probably does not allow output.

 

Also has limited output but very worth learning:

NX Student Edition Free Download - NX Design

Download the free version of NX and get your design career started! #NXMakesItReal

blogs.sw.siemens.com

 

Download a cracked version, unless your using for business.
They all bog down unless your machine is $$$

 

Super bad idea^^^^^

I know a guy that did that with Solidworks, ended up paying them $20,000 plus legal costs.
The software sends out info to the company.

 

Resources

TITANS of CNC is the global leader in educating, connecting, and lifting up manufacturing students, educators, and professionals.

titansofcnc.com

 

Paying for fusion solves some of the problems found in the free version. There's a 33% off deal running now until 1/26, $330/year is hugely cheap for what it will do.
I've had Solid Edge and Edgecam for years, i just picked up fusion just to run one machine because it was cheaper than buying a code generator for Edgecam for that machine. So far I'm really impressed with it. I pay $1800/year just for for maintenance/support on a production version of Edgecam. Fusion will do things my version of Edgecam won't do, I'm considering dropping edgecam and continuing on with just Fusion. i'm not a fan of Autodesk, and don't like Subscription models or cloud based products, but oh well, if it's overall better for me, it's better.

 

I really like inventor and gibs.

 

And the schitt goes on one of his lefty liberal tirades in .......3 2 1

 

Currently running autocad lite and fusion 360. Both for home and suit my needs for now. Autocad I'm buying monthly for now. Fusion 360 is a free download that's working decent but clunkier than solid edge which is what I'm used to.