Autodesk Fusion 4+

I have used a handful of CAM software programs over the past two decades on a daily basis. Fusion 360 has room to grow but that is one of the things that makes it superior to other softwares, they are actively taking customer feedback and implementing improvements that are actually useful. Hands down the price is unbeatable for a powerful CAD/CAM software. There is no other program out there that has such a broad array of tools that all perform well. CAD, CAM, mechanical drawings, PCB design, analysis, generative design, 3D printing integration, cloud collaboration- Fusion 360 is all of this and so much more. Another great thing about Fusion is the vast amount of training available through Autodesk. It’s as if they actually want people to learn how to use this software. I rarely leave product reviews but this one is well deserved.

Update: 2.9.2 fixed the crashing, and now it’s just back to the original broken stuff. It’s been broken for well over 2 years. Update: The app got updated to 2.9.1 and now it just crashes anytime you open a file. Didn’t think it could get worse, but it did. Update: Still broken in version 2.8.9. It’s been broken for 2 years now. Update: Still broken in version 2.8.5. Update: It’s still broken in version 2.8.4. Such a bummer. It’s been broken for over a year. Update: Unfortunately, they didn’t fix it in version 2.7.4 either. Bummer. Update: Unfortunately, they didn’t fix it in version 2.7.2. I’ve been using this for quite a while and it’s always been outstanding. But version 2.7.1 broke the measure tool, which is pretty important in the mobile version. For me, it’s the most important use of the mobile version. No idea how to submit a bug report. I’ve left multiple questions on their community site, but no response. Hoping they fix it in the next version so I can give it a 5 star review!

I want to say thank you to Autodesk for making Fusion 360 and Eagle free for personal use. I’ve learned so much by simply having access to it and I’ve developed very useful and very fun skills over the past 5 years. We now use both services for the business I work at by my recommendation. I’ve brought you business as a result. Again, thank you for letting me have a personal account for my own use. I will never use or recommend Solidworks to anyone. Please continue to give free access for personal use so young students interested in 3D modeling and 3D printing can actually have a pathway to try it. Had Fusion been around when I was younger I would have gotten into it much sooner. The big paywall from the alternatives at the time prevented me from furthering my education.