AutoCAD vs. Autodesk Fusion 360

AutoCAD is a good applicant for most technical drawing needs. The additional version of the software cover electrical wiring, and even architectural design. Someone who knows what they're doing and has a good grasp of the software will be able to create the appropriate solutions that they need.

This software is not suited for beginners, someone less technologically inclined and someone who doesn't memorize shortcuts, workspace setups and understands system requirements. Simple things such as viewports and layers can confuse a new user and even one with basic understanding of AutoCAD. Training and education is required to use this software.

This software has been so easy to use from day one! I couldn't be more thrilled with it. Being an SME, it is offered on an annual basis free of charge. My network of engineers are amazed I am able to accomplish what I have using this software when the companies they come from are paying thousands for licensing. I also would like to note that Autodesk offer an incredible specialization to really round out your skills via Coursera.

Incentivized

• The tools are easy to use and the learning curve is fairly minimal to be able to create blueprints.
• The 3D application is very fun to use and it is nice to be able to see your product instead of having to imagine what it will look like.
• The speed and accuracy in which students can create plans is a huge bonus. Students can plan their industrial art projects out and use their own set of plans to build them.

Incentivized

• The first PRO of Fusion 360 that always comes to mind is how versatile it is. Fusion 360 is the first CAD/CAM software that also includes other key features that CAD programs of this size don't have.
• Fusion 360 has a generous licensing structure that gives those just starting out a place to start with a professional level CAD program. As a result, this has helped build up a huge community and user base around Fusion 360.
• Fusion 360 is updated on a monthly basis. This has proven to be a huge advantage over Solidworks (something else I use) which is only updated once a year. The nice thing about monthly updates, other than regular bug fixes, is that the team can adapt quickly and no one is taken by storm with a big overhaul of the UI or features at the beginning of the year.

Incentivized

• It needs more help in 3D world, eventually some parametric support
• Better connection with Revit or Inventor
• Dynamic blocks could get some updates
• Parameters can be more developed; excel capabilities could be added
• Sheet set could be more evolved to support a workflow involving data management

Incentivized

• Fusion 360 is a very simple program, so once you begin to draw more complex 3D models, the software gets sluggish and loses its fluidity.
• It would be really nice if Fusion 360 could output a model as a SolidWorks file so I can begin to draw something out in Fusion 360 and then pick it up in SolidWorks when I need to do some more advanced functions.
• Because Fusion 360 is a simpler program, there are a few functions such as 3D sketches that are not intuitive like all the rest of the functions are.

Incentivized

Because rarely we [would] rather wait for a whole year to update, sometimes the new updates don't bring many new features and we are still ok with the current version. Also the change of interface is always something that takes time for every partner in the company to get comfortable with. So those are the main reasons we may want to keep the same version.

Incentivized

It does everything I need for great value.

Incentivized

Is an extremely usefull and accurate software , yo certainly can do almost every task requiered to document a project drawings and specifications , the only is that to be confortable with it you need a little of practice and to be familiarized with the commands and the core functioning to get expected results.

Incentivized

Overall it is just a great piece of software for doing most 3D work. It has everything I need plus more at a great price.

Incentivized

Sometimes I like using it on Saturday nights. Unfortunately, they usually do their updates at this time and it isn't available to use.

Incentivized

It can freeze sometimes while doing heavy tasks.

Incentivized

AutoCAD has the issue of crashing or slowing down the design procedure once a heavy design that includes several disciplines or multiple families/blocks is involved. Customer services gets the feedback from the crash reports but this issue seems like it has never been addressed in the software updates past several years.

Incentivized

Support is conducted via internet Q&A boards; newcomers to 3D modeling may find that articulating their questions in the language of CAD software is the tricky part — once they find the right technical term for what they're trying to accomplish, answers come quickly. Autodesk also provides a large library of educational tutorial videos that make the initial process of learning Fusion 360's interface much easier.

Incentivized

the implementation was realy easy , to set up our workstation we pay for the licenses we are about to use , there was a little bit of delay to get the payment processed to receive the serial but after that the install runs without any problem , so you can fell secure there will be not issue with the implementation.

Incentivized

No. It is basic and straightforward.

Incentivized

This is the most primitive application in the field of design and drafting hence it has the simplest workflow system. It is quite easy to comprehend the processes for any user hence they can access the mistakes easily. Man-to-machine interaction of this software is best among its contemporary users.

Incentivized

Autodesk Inventor excels at daily core engineering tasks. When integrated with Vault management systems and part libraries, Autodesk Inventor is tough to beat when you need a mechanical design solution. When Inventor and Vault are setup properly it allows for a very efficient design workflow. I think it would be difficult to achieve the same amount of workflow efficiency with Autodesk Fusion 360, that said, Autodesk Fusion 360 offers a very good toolset at a much lower cost. I can maintain a yearly subscription of Autodesk Fusion 360 and get about 85% of the functionality that is available via the Inventor design suite for the cost of about 2 months of an Inventor subscription. I then also get access to manufacturing plugins with Autodesk Fusion 360 but lose a lot in the drawing environment. Inventor beats Autodesk Fusion 360 hands down when it comes to documentation.

Incentivized

It offers so much already, and the reason being is that it showed promise early on.

Incentivized

• AutoCAD has helped our smaller firm produce lots of finished products matching that of a much larger size firm. With its many features, we have been able to do so much more and meet deadlines that much faster.
• Since we do use AutoCAD, we're able to work with many other engineering firms to collaborate together to complete various building projects.
• We have many clients now who expect us to provide for them at the end of a project not just printed construction drawings but also the digital AutoCAD drawing so they can in turn use it for future modifications themselves.

Incentivized

• It gives me totally positive impacts. Its zero cost eliminates the need to search for other software to use.
• Fusion 360's Autodesk cloud solution enables me to use 3d files generated via other Autodesk design software that are widely used by my customers.

Incentivized