Autodesk Fusion 360

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.

Companies where you need 3D design packaged with simulation and/or machining. Especially if you have work-from-home employees, as the files are saved to, managed inside, and accessible from the cloud.

Fusion 360 is great for mechanical or technical designs, but its ability to sculpt artistic 3d models is very restricted. It's a business software rather than an artisan software. It works on both cloud and device. Thus, if you do not have an internet connection you could work on your project as well.

Most of my work with Fusion 360 has focused on its 3D modeling capabilities, and its liberal licensing policies for hobbyists has made it popular in that space. It focuses on a "mechanical engineering" approach to modeling rather than artistic, organic sculpting. While it's less rigid than its big brother AutoCAD, making the most of it will require thinking about the structure of your model rather than simply its appearance.

That emphasis means it's fantastic for producing mechanical parts, and it can simulate how multiple separate parts will interlock and work with each other in 3D printed devices. This makes using it to design hinges and other moving mechanisms orders of magnitudes simpler; it also preserves an ongoing, editable history of the part being modeled. Realizing you need to tweak the tolerances on a part halfway through the design is fairly easy; you can go back any number of steps in the model's creation and modify the parameters used on a specific part, changing a hole's width or a groove's depth without altering any other parts of the model.

The downside of this CAD-like power is that it's much less capable of "sculpting" organic models. Tools like ZBrush, Rhino, and even Blender are a better choice there.

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.

Fusion 360 is a fantastic program for a wide variety of uses. The models that the software does well with are simple ones, but once you get into more complicated ones, the program loses most of its usability. Once you get there, you will have to turn to a product like SolidWorks to get the job done.

Fusion 360 is great for start-ups or hobby modelers. It has great, simple, easy-to-use tools but it does not have some of the more high-level functions needed for either engineering (like Finite Elements Analysis and Stress studies) or very complex rigging capabilities. I consider Fusion 360 to be a beginner software while products like SolidWorks and Maya are for advanced 3D users.

I think it's really a full package when using Fusion 360. It's suitable for 3D modeling beginners and also for experienced modelers that need further analysis of their pieces. It's way easier to use compared to many other 3D modeling programs, and especially when thinking of 3D printing. I think you can use it if you want to design a simple box when you need to design a complex mechanical device.

This software offers professional tools which are extremely easy to learn when compared to competitors. You can become a CAD expert in just weeks. If you are looking for a software to use that creates clean files for 3D printing, look no further. For teachers, designers, and even hobbyists, Fusion 360 have tools for everyone.

Customer support is on par if not better than most. They are responsive, and are all very knowledgeable on their products, and seem passionate about helping.

In my opinion Fusion, 360 is best for designing for 3d printing, especially with its parametric design. Mixing sculp and model mode really helps, especially when you're designing toys. If you are, for example, a woodworker (I am), I believe it can be useful but there are better tools for that type of project.

Fusion 360 is a great CAD package if you're looking to do rapid prototyping, general/mechanical engineering, packaging design, 3d printing (or other hobbyist related things) or of course, CAM. I wouldn't recommend Fusion 360 for those who need a more specific type of software, such as, civil engineers, architects, or soft-goods designers.
Overall, Fusion 360 is best suited for rapid prototyping and product development. The cloud-based advantages of Fusion 360 make it extremely easy to work in agile product teams versus conventional CAD programs where sharing and backing up files is a job in itself. The Fusion 360 Hub, where files are backed up to, also provides additional collaboration tools such as notes, comments, and version control, which makes working with teams even more of a pleasure.

Fusion 360 is appropriate for learning basic design and creating small parts. It is less appropriate to use when more robust design tools are needed such as lightweight with lattices or compiling large assembly files.