Have you heard about how Autodesk is supporting the Maker Community with professional quality CAM software for FREE? Take a look at this recently posted You Tube video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYoovemQoiM), it shows a hackerspace user working with Fusion 360 and a Shapeoko milling machine. A unique aspect of the Autodesk CAM approach is that we are providing professional quality software for FREE. Another feature of our approach is to integrate our CAM software with the CAD tools, providing a familiar and comfortable experience for the CAD user community. Our free offering provides the same 2-1/2 axis milling functionality that we include in our 3 and 5 axis milling packages; same UI, same processing speed, same postprocessors. We’d like to make sure that anyone who is entering the maker space is aware of this, so we're providing this link to our CAM page for your convenience. Our website, cam.autodesk.com allows users to choose software depending upon the CAD tool that they are most comfortable with. SolidWorks users, Inventor users, or those new to CAD all have solutions to machine their own parts. Our user forums and YouTube channel feature tons of content for learning and support. Take a look, and see for yourself.
Hi @Pete Lord thank you for sharing this news. If you find the time, this would make a great software resource post to get the word out here: http://www.openbuilds.com/resources/categories/software.2/
I am confused. I downloaded Autodesk Fusion 360 and I can upload things but I cannot use editor of any kind (the video displays an editor tab but it is not available to me). The other solutions (Inventor HSM/HSMEXPRESS) require non-free software (Inventor/SolidWorks). So I would really appreciate the opportunity to use professional software for my favorite hobby but it doesn't seem to be an option. Am I missing anything?
Franco, If you do not already have a seat of Inventor or SolidWorks, your best choice is to use Fusion 360. Toolpath creation typically starts from the dashboard or from the toolbar shown in this image; Is that not working for you? Pete Lord
I cannot even access the editor at all ... so I must be doing something really stupid. I tried to create a new project, upload a stl. I can explore and see the 3d previews but I don't see a way to go in edit mode.
Got it! I had an expired license and needed to accept the terms and conditions ... now the fun begin, sorry about the noise.
Update: Last week at World Maker Faire in New York, Autodesk announced the availability of Fusion360 on the Mac App Store. (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/fusion-360/id868968810?ls=1&mt=12.) This allows Mac users access to the Design and Manufacturing capabilities built into the Fusion environment.
