PhillipM
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Renew your free licence.
- Thread starter atconut
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Renew your free licence.
You need to register the email address as a hobby user. You then get limited to 10 active models ( or f360 files to be more specific) you also loose rapids I'd you use it gor CNC.
But you can still use it currently (until they cripple it more)
I was wondering if you had downloaded the “Students” or the “Hobbyists”?
The Students version seems to be restricted to just one year but no limit is indicated for the Hobbyist version.
Copy and paste from the Autodesk Webb site:
Is Fusion 360 still free for hobbyists or for personal use?
Fusion 360 is available for free personal use for individuals who are doing home-based, non-commercial design, manufacturing and fabrication projects.
Is Fusion 360 free for students?
Fusion 360 is free cloud-based 3D CAD, CAM, CAE and PCB software for qualifying students as a 1-year subscription.
skotl
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Another vote for fusion 360.
I tried a variety of “simpler” CAD tools but quickly realised that either there’s no such thing or that what I needed to design was harder in a lesser tool.
A big plus for f360 is the huge amount of training and help information out there - googling “fusion 360 <question>” often gets a choice of 2-3 minute videos on exactly the problem you’re trying to solve.
The registration and sign on process is a bit of a faff but it’s a few minutes of annoyance every four weeks or so.
I tried a variety of “simpler” CAD tools but quickly realised that either there’s no such thing or that what I needed to design was harder in a lesser tool.
A big plus for f360 is the huge amount of training and help information out there - googling “fusion 360 <question>” often gets a choice of 2-3 minute videos on exactly the problem you’re trying to solve.
The registration and sign on process is a bit of a faff but it’s a few minutes of annoyance every four weeks or so.
I bought this book from Amazon: autodesk-fusion 360 version 5
I found it a far better way to learn how to use the software as opposed YouTube videos.
I found it a far better way to learn how to use the software as opposed YouTube videos.
ajlelectronics
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What are tutorials with conventional words and pictures like for Fusion? One major irritation of DSM is that almost everything is in "video" format which I can't be doing with.
I have tried Fusion just playing with it and find it totally unintuitive, the same as Onshape. That is how I ended up on DSM.
Dr.Al
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Just to contrast with all the fusion votes, try OnShape. Much better than Fusion in my opinion and it's also free. Loads and loads of really good tutorials available.
It runs well on relatively slow computers (where Fusion makes the PC go into meltdown) and is (in my opinion) much more intuitive to use.
Whichever tool you use, make sure it supports export to STEP format and get in the habit of using that feature regularly - with a STEP file you can always import into a different CAD package if you ever lose access (or Autodesk decide to remove the free tier or cripple it's capabilities or whatever).
It runs well on relatively slow computers (where Fusion makes the PC go into meltdown) and is (in my opinion) much more intuitive to use.
Whichever tool you use, make sure it supports export to STEP format and get in the habit of using that feature regularly - with a STEP file you can always import into a different CAD package if you ever lose access (or Autodesk decide to remove the free tier or cripple it's capabilities or whatever).
ajlelectronics
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Now you see I find the exact opposite. It has got to the stage where I just can't bear it any more and if I can't find a conventional description, I don't bother. With words and pictures, you can take in everything at whatever pace you wish, without suffering "wannabe" TV personalities and their dreadful diction / camera waving.
Dr.Al
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I'm completely with you on this. Videos are a pain in the backside - much harder to go back and review a little detail or check something than just scanning back up the page and re-reading.
Having said that, well updated documentation is better than a book - books become out-of-date quite quickly.
Onshape's documentation isn't bad in my opinion, although they also rely on videos for some stuff: https://cad.onshape.com/help/Conten...Welcome to Onshape Help|Onshape Primer|_____2
I’ve just edited my post as I managed to take a screenshot of my Amazon account
My view is very much pro book (I also edited my post due to not explaining myself properly) as I can work through the various exercises in each chapter at my own pace and flick back pages to reference for clarification on issues.
Once you understand what the software is looking for it becomes easier to follow the logic.
You have to re register both every 12 months.
They used to be lenient with the application for student versions. But they cracked down and its hard to get one now. Even for a 9 years old student interested in 3D printing as they don't include primary schools.
Yes I agree Fusion is totally unintuitive to me at least. I do keep coming back to it though. Lol
@hotstuffSeems to be agreeing with you.
i am the opposite as i learn better by watching. But i find that most youtube videos dont just show what i need (for the current task) but add loads of stuff i dont need at that time.
Totally agree with you and Dr Al about book/documentation being easier to go back.I’ve just edited my post as I managed to take a screenshot of my Amazon account
My view is very much pro book (I also edited my post due to not explaining myself properly) as I can work through the various exercises in each chapter at my own pace and flick back pages to reference for clarification on issues.
Once you understand what the software is looking for it becomes easier to follow the logic.
It's not easy with a video when it's long and or contains stuff you already know or not need yet. ?
It's only recently that I've figured out how to use it without breaking it. The key thing for me was to make new components for every sketch. That and figuring out how to change the direction and position of the plane has now made things pretty simple. Some things can still take a bit of time compared to someone more proficient, but now I actually manage to get there in the end without tearing my hair out.
That is my main problem.
For example I draw a sketch with an oblong on it.
I can then do lots of things like adding holes threads extruding sizing etc.
But the moment I need to add another sketch the fun starts.
I can just about add another sketch on the same plane and perhaps use it to cut the ends round. Or slice it with a line but once I try to add something which is not on the same plane and place as the first sketch it ends up in outer space or suspended in the air if I try moving things to view it all..
What I do is find a datum to base the second sketch off, for example the centre point of the first sketch. That way they are both in line. I can then make a new component, and add a new plane x distance from the original. Then i start a new sketch and extrude. Bear in mind you can move the second plane and object around in all 3 axis, so you're not limited to one method.
I've come to the conclusion that multiple sketches is where it's at. Almost every detail gets a new sketch. You'll find it a lot easier to manage. I'm still learning, but the more I play around, the more I learn. And I found it to be a VERY steep learning curve. I also detest watching youtube tutorials because they don't usually provide you with a quick answer, so it's taken me a while to figure things out.
I've come to the conclusion that multiple sketches is where it's at. Almost every detail gets a new sketch. You'll find it a lot easier to manage. I'm still learning, but the more I play around, the more I learn. And I found it to be a VERY steep learning curve. I also detest watching youtube tutorials because they don't usually provide you with a quick answer, so it's taken me a while to figure things out.
