OVERVIEW
- CAD Software Fusion 360
- Platform Windows, macOS
- Free /Commercial Use
Fusion 360 is the be-all and end-all of free CAD software. Seriously, this is it.
A professional 3D CAD program by Autodesk, Fusion 360 is a mainstay of digital design. It’s regularly used in mechanical engineering and product design for its functionality in a wide variety of design and 3D modeling methods, and easy documentation and manufacturing preparation functionalities.
EASE OF USE
For such an advanced piece of software, Fusion 360 is surprisingly easy to navigate – even as a new user. Its toolbars are contextual, depending on the workflow you’ve selected, so you won’t be faced with a horde of unknown and inapplicable tools as you switch between designing, rendering, animating, or whatever else you may be using the software for. All menus are customizable, so you can change them to your preference as you get the hang of things.
This easy menu makes Fusion 360 very approachable to newcomers, but that doesn’t mean the software is without its learning curves. If it’s your pick, spend some time familiarizing yourself with hotkeys and the right-click menu – both will come in handy.
FEATURES
- Native Computer-Aided Machining (CAM)
If you’re broadening your horizons to the world of CNC, Fusion 360 has you covered. The software has CAM natively integrated to save you from import/export nonsense and working with another program. If you’re not familiar with machining, CAM is the CNC equivalent of a slicer, used to create your design’s G code.
- Design Method Variety
Autodesk has crammed what seems like every type of CAD into Fusion 360. We’re really not sure it’s missing any. You can use it for direct modeling, parametric modeling, subdivision modeling and so much more. It’s easily the best all-rounder for free CAD software.
- Collaboration & Cloud
Even as local software, Fusion 360 uses cloud functionality to run better and simplify things like collaboration and storage. As a free user, you can have 10 active designs stored by Autodesk (unlimited inactive) and share your designs via publicly accessible links for other users to contribute comments and markup.
PRACTICALITY
With Fusion 360’s free license for hobbyists, you get access to all of the software’s most essential features. The biggest limitation is the non-commercial agreement. By using Autodesk’s software for free, you’re agreeing that it’s just personal use. Though many of the most advanced functions are walled off with the free license, you’ll have access to just about any functionality a typical hobbyist could hope for in a modern, updated, professional-quality software.
SCALABILITY
Should your CAD skills lead you to more than design for personal use, a paid Fusion 360 license will cost you $60 a month or $495 per year. With that, you’ll get access to the software’s most advanced functionalities. Generative design, processed via Autodesk’s powerful cloud computing, will allow you to create AI-generated designs within set parameters; simulations will allow you to virtually test designs under static stress, thermal distribution, modal frequencies, and other stresses; and multiple-user management will allow true collaboration in your designs, beyond simple annotation and markup.
It’s worth noting that eligible startups can also make use of Fusion 360, commercially, for free. There are more stringent requirements and obligations on these entities – lower than $100,000 annual turnover and 10 or fewer employees, for example – but with the provision for commercial activity, it makes Fusion 360 a viable CAD solution for businesses to grow.
Best For: Non-commercial projects with most manufacturing technologies in locally-installed software.
Is Fusion 360 only free for a year?
That’s right, the personal license periods are one year. I believe you’ll get a prompt asking if you want to buy when your license is expired, then you just need to click “see if I qualify for a free license”, and that will navigate you to the personal license page where you can renew. Thank you!
Get it From: Autodesk