Solidworks Vs Fusion 360 advice required

[3nuts*]

I've been using the paid and free versions of Fusion for years but sometime get frustrated with the joints feature and some other aspects.

Wondering if anyone in here has used/uses both Fusion and Solidworks and can advise on joints vs mates for moving parts and connections.

I am fairly CAD capable - mostly used AutoDesk's AutoCad programs.

Are the Solidworks interface and tools easy to learn, are they intuitive - or will I smash the keyboard trying?

There's the Solidworks for Makers edition now - I'm considering that.

 

[JNHEscher]

In for the info. Fusion pissed me off again. Second time some components in files disappeared after an update.

 

[Provience]

You'll like solidworks

 

[Bacho]

You'll like solidworks

It’s been a little while since I looked at it, but if I recall correctly, the maker version of solidworks will not share files. Can’t export an STL or even send a maker version file to somebody that has the real version of solid works? I decided to stick with fusion.

 

[JNHEscher]

It’s been a little while since I looked at it, but if I recall correctly, the maker version of solidworks will not share files. Can’t export an STL or even send a maker version file to somebody that has the real version of solid works? I decided to stick with fusion.

That would take it out of the running for me. I was hoping SW and Fusion would be on par with each other. Bonus if SW would still run on Windows 7.

 

[Eric642]

I have used both quite a bit. CAD they are comparable but I liked Solidworks assemblies and mates MUCH better than Fusion360's.
I found mating parts in Solidworks to be easier than Fusions system. It made sense. This pin goes in this hole, this face touches this face, etc,etc

 

[Ummduh]

It’s been a little while since I looked at it, but if I recall correctly, the maker version of solidworks will not share files. Can’t export an STL or even send a maker version file to somebody that has the real version of solid works? I decided to stick with fusion.

Are my files or data restricted at all?

Files and data created with your Maker account are digitally watermarked and can only be opened up in another Maker platform. You cannot open up files created with your Maker account within a commercial or academic platform. This digital watermark is added to native 3D file formats, such as .3dxml, .sldprt, .sldasm, and .slddrw. Neutral 3D file formats, such as .stp or .iges can be opened on any platform.

Yea, that's a no from me dawg. So not only is the software a rental, but so are the files you create with it. Nope.

 

[Lee]

Solidworks does assemblies best. The "maker" version is pretty neutered though, as has already been mentioned.

I hate that it's come to this, but I am vehemently opposed to the software as a service and subscription models. I've pretty well come to accept the mantra that, if buying doesn't equal owning, then pirating doesn't equal stealing.

I proselytize for FreeCAD around here pretty often, it's really good for a free option, but it doesn't hold a candle to Solidworks or Fusion 360, funny how an open source, spare time project, from a handful of benevolent software engineers, doesn't compete with multi million dollar companies' software suites.

 

[bgaidan]

How is the CAM side of SW? Does it come with the Maker version?

 

[Duc]

How is the CAM side of SW? Does it come with the Maker version?

Solidworks comes with camworks if you have a current maintenance contract but seems limited in usage. I found it better to purchase a seat of fusion360 to get free access to HSMworks plugin for solidworks.

I think a basic seat of Solidworks runs 4k for a permanent license.

That would take it out of the running for me. I was hoping SW and Fusion would be on par with each other. Bonus if SW would still run on Windows 7.

Once you have a license of Solidworks, you are able to download and install any previous versions. Old chart from google but seems correct

 

[Team_Jake]

I got SolidWorks for Makers recently for my personal computer. I have a professional license of SW at my job, and I will say that Makers is nearly identical and not at all a watered down version of SW. Yes, native files are digitally watermarked, but you can get around that pretty easily by exporting files in Step or parasolid format if you need to open them with a professional license. STL files are NOT watermarked, so you won’t have any issues 3d printing. Same with DXF files, I get stuff laser cut from SendCutSend all the time.

Really the only thing I find annoying about makers is the 3d Experience portal, you have to open SW through that portal and it is not intuitive. But once you have SW open it works just like the professional version.

 

[JeepinPete]

Look into Onshape if you are not worried about the confidentiality of your files. Free for the casual user, but files you create are available to the public at large if they find them. It operates like a cross between Solidworks and Creo. Downside is it runs in your web browser, no offline mode. It works exceptionally well in the browser if being online isn't an issue. No problem exporting stl or step files.

 

[speed bump]

I got SolidWorks for Makers recently for my personal computer. I have a professional license of SW at my job, and I will say that Makers is nearly identical and not at all a watered down version of SW. Yes, native files are digitally watermarked, but you can get around that pretty easily by exporting files in Step or parasolid format if you need to open them with a professional license. STL files are NOT watermarked, so you won’t have any issues 3d printing. Same with DXF files, I get stuff laser cut from SendCutSend all the time.

Really the only thing I find annoying about makers is the 3d Experience portal, you have to open SW through that portal and it is not intuitive. But once you have SW open it works just like the professional version.

Pretty much my experience. I gave up on Fusion 360 about 6 months ago for SW for makers and haven't thought about Fusion since.

 

[bgaidan]

Solidworks comes with camworks if you have a current maintenance contract but seems limited in usage. I found it better to purchase a seat of fusion360 to get free access to HSMworks plugin for solidworks.

I think a basic seat of Solidworks runs 4k for a permanent license.



Once you have a license of Solidworks, you are able to download and install any previous versions. Old chart from google but seems correct

I was trying to find a cheaper, but still user friendly alternative to Fusion. My license just expired and I'm having a hard time swallowing the $680 price tag they have on it now.....and apparently no specials or discounts any more. Was hoping the maker version of SW had a CAM option.

 

[JNHEscher]

I got SolidWorks for Makers recently for my personal computer. I have a professional license of SW at my job, and I will say that Makers is nearly identical and not at all a watered down version of SW. Yes, native files are digitally watermarked, but you can get around that pretty easily by exporting files in Step or parasolid format if you need to open them with a professional license. STL files are NOT watermarked, so you won’t have any issues 3d printing. Same with DXF files, I get stuff laser cut from SendCutSend all the time.

Really the only thing I find annoying about makers is the 3d Experience portal, you have to open SW through that portal and it is not intuitive. But once you have SW open it works just like the professional version.

If dxf and stl are still good to go, I'll try SW Maker on my laptop. Does SW require an annual account renewal or other subscription thingy like Fusion? Are there incessant updates as well?

 

[speed bump]

If dxf and stl are still good to go, I'll try SW Maker on my laptop. Does SW require an annual account renewal or other subscription thingy like Fusion? Are there incessant updates as well?

It's a $50ish/yr subscription and yeah they update it semi regularly. Unless your dropping real cash on a straight up SW license everyone is going to hit you that way though.

 

[JNHEscher]

It's a $50ish/yr subscription and yeah they update it semi regularly. Unless your dropping real cash on a straight up SW license everyone is going to hit you that way though.

Pretty much. I'm still on the free/personal/hobby license for Fusion. Still free, unless they took that away entirely.

 

[Eric642]

I was trying to find a cheaper, but still user friendly alternative to Fusion. My license just expired and I'm having a hard time swallowing the $680 price tag they have on it now.....and apparently no specials or discounts any more. Was hoping the maker version of SW had a CAM option.

Just missed it.

 

[mjlogan88]

Long time solidworks/inventor user and I tried using fusion for some at home side projects.

You don’t like fusion for the some of the same reasons I didn’t, so I bet you’ll like solidworks. To me it is the most intuitive platform for assemblies/mates

 

[engineerjoe]

Look into Onshape if you are not worried about the confidentiality of your files. Free for the casual user, but files you create are available to the public at large if they find them. It operates like a cross between Solidworks and Creo. Downside is it runs in your web browser, no offline mode. It works exceptionally well in the browser if being online isn't an issue. No problem exporting stl or step files.

Lifelong CAD rat here. Onshape is a great option for hobby use or just learning and playing around. It is a full CAD package, and they are adding features almost every month. Constraints/mates is a little backwards from everything else (instead of constraining degrees of freedom, you tell it which degrees of freedom you want to keep), but super efficient once you get the hang of it (only takes one rigid mate to fully constrain a part, rather than 3)
The mobile app is actually functional and I've used it to look up dimensions of parts while out on the production floor.
I liked it so much that I bought stock in PTC...I truly believe it is disruptive technology in the industry and in 10 years, it will have significant market share.

 

[3nuts*]

Thanks for the info everyone

Knew some of you guys would help

I’m about 75% through a mechanical project at the moment, and time is tight, so will just get this one done in Fusion

I jumped into the Solidworks trial two days ago and played a bit. Def not AutoCad UI at all.

I’ll watch more ‘beginner vids’

Lifelong CAD rat here. Onshape is a great option for hobby use or just learning and playing around. It is a full CAD package, and they are adding features almost every month. Constraints/mates is a little backwards from everything else (instead of constraining degrees of freedom, you tell it which degrees of freedom you want to keep), but super efficient once you get the hang of it (only takes one rigid mate to fully constrain a part, rather than 3)
The mobile app is actually functional and I've used it to look up dimensions of parts while out on the production floor.
I liked it so much that I bought stock in PTC...I truly believe it is disruptive technology in the industry and in 10 years, it will have significant market share.

Hadn’t though about onshape for a while

You seem convinced so I best check it out today 👍🏻

Thanks for info

 

[Talon2006]

I started my company with Fusion 360. Loved that it is easy to use, and did most of what I need. Once I started playing with 3d scanning I needed a more powerful software. Fusion 360 could not handle the gigabyte files I was throwing at it.


Same computer I tried Solidworks Makers... It was a learning curve, but once I got used to it, I love it WAY more then fusion 360. The biggest thing I like about Solidworks is if you realize that you need to move X hole a smidge... you won't break the entire part like fusion 360 would. Fusion 360 was very bad at rebuilding parts if you changed a very early feature. Even if you break a Solidworks part you can normally fix it. You don't have to start over like I did countless times with fusion 360.

The bad about Solidworks makers.... when you go to upgrade to the professional licensee, anything you made with makers you can still only open with makers. Thankfully I only did a few designs, but it was very annoying they wouldn't unlock it for me once I upgraded. You can export STL and STEP files with maker though. I just keep an active makers license and use it on the few occasions I need to work on it. I almost never open fusion 360 anymore and really need to look at getting rid of it. They really pissed me off a year ago when they wouldn't give me 3 year pricing.

 

[realsquash]

Fuck Autodesk. They fucked me when they bought HSMWorks, as I was a Solidworks user (still am). They fucked up a lot of software they bought over the years and changed to a subscription model.

 

[JNHEscher]

Couple more days until I can turn wifi back on. I'll look into SW and OnShape.

And yeah. My Windows 7 laptop was running Fusion like a champ. Fuck them for abandoning 7 over security crap. Been having to use the Windows 10 Dell laptop that I snagged out of my dad's place. It takes an average of 42 minutes to load Fusion.

 

[3nuts*]

I'm tired and under the pump and can't find it now

Sure I saw either Solidworks or AutoDesk Fusion/Inventor have a special start up support scheme

Anyone been successful with being granted one of those free for a year or so deals with the full suite software, all the bells and whistles?

What's the criteria?
Do you have to show them the project? Cos fuck that

 

[bgaidan]

I'm tired and under the pump and can't find it now

Sure I saw either Solidworks or AutoDesk Fusion/Inventor have a special start up support scheme

Anyone been successful with being granted one of those free for a year or so deals with the full suite software, all the bells and whistles?

What's the criteria?
Do you have to show them the project? Cos fuck that

I got denied a few weeks ago for the Fusion startup thing. They want you to have a business domain and website, which I could easily make, but really don't have a use for it and I get the feeling they're digging deep enough to figure out that you just built the site or bought the domain before applying.

 

[mjlogan88]

How long do you think you need it for?

I did some side work for my dad on a monthly subscription of inventor. Looks like it is around $300/mo now. Granted I was already proficient at it, you’d probably throw away a couple hundred getting up to speed

 

[engineerjoe]

I'm tired and under the pump and can't find it now

Sure I saw either Solidworks or AutoDesk Fusion/Inventor have a special start up support scheme

Anyone been successful with being granted one of those free for a year or so deals with the full suite software, all the bells and whistles?

What's the criteria?
Do you have to show them the project? Cos fuck that

Onshape is ~$210/month for the Professional version with FEA simulation and their integral PDM. They are currently working on CAM suite integration.

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If you qualify, you can get 6 months of Professional free

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[CarterKraft]

As much as I thought I'd hate OnShape "cloud" I don't. It works well on my old as equipment gives me crazy freedom to work on designs on several machines at will.

If your design is super complex it might be more of an issue but my stuff is pretty lame.

Price is right

 

[mrshaft696]

I have been a inventor/solidworks/cad/mozaik/2020/cabinet vision, all kinds of different shit... I mainly use it for wood fixture design, but metal sometimes too.

This is just my opinion but inventor is a far superior tool, with far better interface. Solidworks is just getting to the level/place Inventor was at in 2010.

This is why...
Inventor- you can see and edit the full bill of materials on the entire assembly without having to click and edit every part
ilogic, a lay person can write custom codes for repeat tasks that save time, solidworks uses macros like excel & shit programs
You can sketch in a .idw & the geometry stays in place... everything in solidworks drawings sucks, the boms, the dimensioning, just trying to click on edges is horriffic.
The solid body modeling is far superior in inventor, the entire interface and function, I draw solid body parametric 90% of the time.
The stupidest thing ever created is solidworks save as function. If you accidently save as instead of save a copy, you relink the new part to the old stuff, unheard of in any program, terrible for someone learning.
inventor view cube, you cant even look at and iso of your model in solidworks from all 4 sides.
Solidworks sketching sucks for selecting profiles to extrude. If you add anything to the sketch it just blows it up.
Inventor sketching you can link dimensions together & they all reference eachother with a click. Solidworks I have to make a varible & name it then fill them all in.
Sketch block inventor is much better, solidworks you have to make it put it in a library to have them all linked together.
The only thing IMO that solidworks can do is configurations, which are ok for some things & certain types of design. I tend to avoid them since I do allot of custom and there are not multiple versions of the same thing.

there are dozens of other things i miss right now, drawing in solidworks at the moment.