Thank you, Coastline, for such an informative post! Your explanation gave me a clear big-picture view of the subject, and that perspective really helps me figure out where to dive deeper next. I truly appreciate the time and effort you put into sharing this.
I may be out in left field and not know what I am missing. I started out with a Shapeoko 3XL and use Vectric Aspire. For the kinds of projects I do it seems straightforward and capable for me being a beginner. Normally I am very frugal but learned that good software and training videos are a good value. There must be other Aspire users in this community?
Jim
Hi, sorry I’m late to this. So I have used Fusion for 2 years. Modelling wooden framed chairs, to model tanks, templates and patterns for leather bags and cases, jigs-boxes-holders-stands, clamps, a drag knife system, spoons, assorted solid brass cnc’d belt buckles-carabiners-drings-strap holders… and a ton of other stuff. It’s just a go to. The newest thing I’m using it for a lot is the drawing mode to make printable paper patterns for small leather items I have modelled. And with the spoons I just started using the Form functionality. I also have 5 or more years of basic Blender/Maya/Substance painter but now only go to them if I need to render a product design as I’m not great at Fusions Render mode, and it seems weak.
Almost every thing I design in Fusion will then be either prototyped or fabricated in a Bambu Labs X1C filament printer. I don’t use Fusions Additive Manufacturing (3d printing) mode at all. I use the stock Bambu Labs software.
For stuff going on to the Shapeoko pro, I output the gcode paths from Fusion and then use Shapeoko carbide3d. I
My main Fusion design system is a M1 Mac mini, which runs pretty well. That’s on my 5th floor apartment. Down in my basement workshop I have a main PC for using Fusion (nothing super special ) and an older small windows laptop permanently connected to the Shapeoko for the carbide3d gcode runner.
Some things I can add:
Fusion has good learning materials, and a consistent UI. It’s not buggy, and I get minimal crashes. It’s a solid couple of months to get yourself comfy with it.
If I was getting a new machine for fusion it would be the new Mac mini, it’s just very powerful for a reasonable cost.
Being cloud based (but you certainly can continue work if you lose a network connection whilst having a design open) is great if you have split workplaces like me. It’s important to realise that it’s cloud based but not a cloud app. Other than that I see no disadvantage to cloud based that has impacted me over the last two years.
It’s a pretty big cost, and once in you can’t easily just stop using it without a lot of time investment in something new.
Before I started using the Fusion CNC path simulator I was busting tools and material like crazy. A brand new $120 Datron cutter is not fun to break . The path simulator is outstanding and every path I run I check it in there first. It saves money because I no longer break(much) stuff.
Blender’s et als idea of history is control-Z, whereas Fusion you can step way back in the design make a change and then that will propagate back through to the current state of the design. I constantly use this. It’s a bit Tenet like at times but it’s very good.
You basically Sketch-Model-Set up paths-Simulate-Export gcode. Then that goes to Carbide or Bambu labs.
Looks like onshape has just released the long-awaited Cam Studio. I have not tried it yet. Webinar is next week. Kind of excited to try it out. Onshape has served me well on the CAD side.
Yes.
BUT it’s also REALLY easy to design and create the CAM data in free Fusion 360…but solid modeling isn’t easy for everyone to learn. But there are lots of great people here to help you.
Helpful Link: https://youtu.be/2F0-Q4wO9GM?feature=shared
I just started a free trial of Fusion 360 a few days ago and I love it! I am coming from Vectric Aspire and yes Fusion is different but very very detailed. My biggest take away so far is speed at designing. I made a bowl in Vectric and it took about a half hour to design whereas, in Fusion I made it in about 8 minutes. Another big difference is in Vectric you start off by creating your stock material block and design off of that, in Fusion you create your design first and then encase it in a your stock material block.
I’ve played around with F360 and the biggest drawback for me is the yearly cost. I know for a hobbyist I can use the free version, but then it’s my understanding that you are limited to one toolpath.
I have bought a Fusion license for the last of years. It comes to less than $2 a day.
The learning curve is much more then CC, but allows factors more Tool path options.
I did not buy the “extensions” due to cost.
I am retired, not trying to make money, but can only lose money at an acceptable rate.
I like 3D work. I look at the time and effort it takes to accomplish more intricate designs on CC.
I feel that $2 a day saves me “n” hours for each project.
If the project is 2D placement of items or inlays, then I am off work on CC.
Fusion is not my favorite design tool. Onshape free account allows me to create whatever I need.
They just announced CAM Studio, but that is with a $2500 yr subscription, not.
Yes, I think the delineation lies in whether or not you are a hobbyist or in a business. Mine is a business so I want the best and the fastest. I own my Vectric Aspire and I will still use it for a lot of things especially after I paid $2000 for it but, I think I will go on a per month basis with Fusion 360 which is $85 for the full version and use it when needed.