I've been learning to use Autodesk's Fusion360 with its integrated CAD/CAM and my little CNC mill to design and fabricate parts in 6061. There are a few annoyances with F360 but overall I find it very capable and to be able to do the CAM from the same is awesome. Never having used Solidworks, I can't imagine it would be worth paying the extra over F360's $0... Perhaps if you're a professional, but as a hobbyist, no way.
I am controls engineer, so I don't use 3D CAD yet. I do like to define things before I build them, and I normally over to things. (Build twice, once in a virtual environment, then again in the real world.) I am real comfortable using AutoCAD 2000 for 3D, but know the latest is much better.
I am hoping the announcement is a marriage of the EAA's mission of an educational organization and the SolidWorks Educational pricing. This would turn my head. $0 is great too as there are many competitors that are at that price point.
Because my mission for my plane is composite, redesigning something done in aluminum, I would like some simulation or stress analysis before I build. I don't expect this, but would be HUGE to me. If I can draw in a basic package and have friends at work import and look at the stress to show I am good. That would be all I really need.
The secrecy is incredible. Who ever negotiated this deal has done us all a favor. SolidWorks is an industry leader. If members can get their hands on a copy for a steep discount that will be a wonderful value. Also as the leader this will allow the younger generation to get experience using the software and can make them more desirable as employees. This would be a great way to recruit younger members which we definitely need. I see great things on the horizon. I am still looking forward to this announcement.
I've started using Autodesk Inventor and their Mechanical Engineering Suite for a bit of 3D learning under their university license (free for three years). It's a cool and flexible product, it seems, but I'm still super green with it. From what I know about SolidWorks, and from what others who use it have said about it, I'm really excited to see how this announcement benefits us.
Christopher Owens (EAA #808438, VAA #723276)
Germantown, WI
Bearhawk Plans #991, Bearhawk Patrol Plans #P313
I'm currently doing exactly as you described but using Fusion 360 to model a Bearhawk Patrol. It's fun in a different sort of way and I think it is helping to work through potential problems before they occur in the real world.
I work with controls, too and I'm anxious to see if the EAA edition includes access to Solidworks Electrical. I don't know if you're familiar with it, but it is similar to ePlan. It would make doing electrical schematics for homebuilts a walk in the park. It also will do harness creation and nailboard patterns.
Last edited by quesauce; 07-24-2016 at 05:07 AM.
Thank you to the team at EAA for setting this up. The announcement is HUGE. I look forward to downloading once I get home from OSH16. Lots of great stuff this year!
Downloading, now, and pretty excited about drawing fittings to be cut out by my local waterjet shop. I was trained on CATIA several years ago and expect it to be like riding a bicycle.
Thanks EAA!
With 25 years of CAD experience, including 14 years of Solidworks, I have come to prefer non-history based "direct" modeling. It's easier, faster, with far less headaches. And, in my opinion, easier to learn.
My software of choice is Kubotek's KeyCreator. (http://kubotek3d.com/) (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=keycreator)
I was just wondering how long I should wait for the activation Key to come from Solidworks? I filled out and submitted the form two days ago and I have still not received the activation key. It looks like some of the other guys on here got it right away so how do I find out if something went wrong with it?