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Post by aforww on Mar 16, 2017 13:13:26 GMT
If y'all don't mind me asking, what do you find complicated about Fusions CAD? I ask because I only use Fusion now and though I do agree it has a learning curve, I wonder if it's how one approaches it that makes it more complicated. Obviously solid works has a strong fan base but I've never used it so can't compare ease of use. I don't really find the CAD side of Fusion as much of a problem. But like others have stated, simple things just aren't always simple in Fusion. Some things aren't intuitive (a.k.a v-bit engraving) and somethings are way more complicated than they need to be (CAM) when compared to other products. Have you tried Vectric software? Their software is powerful AND easy to use... It also costs as much as one whole M3 machine... Have you modeled in Sketchup? Super easy to make complex models in Sketchup as compared to other software. Fusion is just counter intuitive IMHO. I'll probably still end up using it... I actually prefer modeling in Fusion to SketchUp. I like being able to work either from a 2d sketch and extruding or modeling in the sculpting environment. I do agree for basic stuff it's probably overboard. However, I think many people will eventually want to get into designing and modeling more advanced jobs as their CNC knowledge progresses. In that situation it's good to learn a program like Fusion eventually. I also feel like the cam complexity is a benefit and curse of having so many options. I like that we all are trying different things. It gives insight to other choices so people don't see Just Fusion, get overwhelmed, and bail on learning CNC. Look forward to hearing what they all have to offer. Side note. Look at the NYC CNC YouTube channel. He started in Solidworks and moved to Fusion as business and capability grew. He does all kinds of different jobs with industrial grade machines but shows how he sets up operations that might give you some ideas. |
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Post by mrbigj on Mar 16, 2017 13:33:38 GMT
I don't really find the CAD side of Fusion as much of a problem. But like others have stated, simple things just aren't always simple in Fusion. Some things aren't intuitive (a.k.a v-bit engraving) and somethings are way more complicated than they need to be (CAM) when compared to other products. Have you tried Vectric software? Their software is powerful AND easy to use... It also costs as much as one whole M3 machine... Have you modeled in Sketchup? Super easy to make complex models in Sketchup as compared to other software. Fusion is just counter intuitive IMHO. I'll probably still end up using it... I actually prefer modeling in Fusion to SketchUp. I like being able to work either from a 2d sketch and extruding or modeling in the sculpting environment. I do agree for basic stuff it's probably overboard. However, I think many people will eventually want to get into designing and modeling more advanced jobs as their CNC knowledge progresses. In that situation it's good to learn a program like Fusion eventually. I also feel like the cam complexity is a benefit and curse of having so many options. I like that we all are trying different things. It gives insight to other choices so people don't see Just Fusion, get overwhelmed, and bail on learning CNC. Look forward to hearing what they all have to offer. Side note. Look at the NYC CNC YouTube channel. He started in Solidworks and moved to Fusion as business and capability grew. He does all kinds of different jobs with industrial grade machines but shows how he sets up operations that might give you some ideas. I don't doubt that it is the go to program for many things... But they could have made it more intuitive. Like I said, I'm currently designing several projects in it, and trying to figure out the CAM. I really don't want to spend a ton of money of software, at this point. But it doesn't give me a warm fuzzy most of the time. J |
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Post by aforww on Mar 16, 2017 13:35:51 GMT
I actually prefer modeling in Fusion to SketchUp. I like being able to work either from a 2d sketch and extruding or modeling in the sculpting environment. I do agree for basic stuff it's probably overboard. However, I think many people will eventually want to get into designing and modeling more advanced jobs as their CNC knowledge progresses. In that situation it's good to learn a program like Fusion eventually. I also feel like the cam complexity is a benefit and curse of having so many options. I like that we all are trying different things. It gives insight to other choices so people don't see Just Fusion, get overwhelmed, and bail on learning CNC. Look forward to hearing what they all have to offer. Side note. Look at the NYC CNC YouTube channel. He started in Solidworks and moved to Fusion as business and capability grew. He does all kinds of different jobs with industrial grade machines but shows how he sets up operations that might give you some ideas. I don't doubt that it is the go to program for many things... But they could have made it more intuitive. Like I said, I'm currently designing several projects in it, and trying to figure out the CAM. I really don't want to spend a ton of money of software, at this point. But it doesn't give me a warm fuzzy most of the time. J Lol the only thing it gave me for the first week was a headache. |
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Post by mrbigj on Mar 16, 2017 13:42:51 GMT
I don't doubt that it is the go to program for many things... But they could have made it more intuitive. Like I said, I'm currently designing several projects in it, and trying to figure out the CAM. I really don't want to spend a ton of money of software, at this point. But it doesn't give me a warm fuzzy most of the time. J Lol the only thing it gave me for the first week was a headache. Just as an example... Have you done any v-carve work with Fusion? There is no v-carve bits in their extensive database of tools, and I can't get their v-carve function to work in the CAM section even after watching many Youtube videos. Just more complicated than it needs to be, and a little underwhelming for such powerful software. J |
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Post by aforww on Mar 16, 2017 13:54:06 GMT
Lol the only thing it gave me for the first week was a headache. Just as an example... Have you done any v-carve work with Fusion? There is no v-carve bits in their extensive database of tools, and I can't get their v-carve function to work in the CAM section even after watching many Youtube videos. Just more complicated than it needs to be, and a little underwhelming for such powerful software. J Keep in mind, that V-carving is more a sign making operation not really in the realm of Fusions purpose. That's why you don't see cutters in the library. But yes it doesn't get explained well within the program. Here is a good video to help you out there. youtu.be/cNgk46XRMVgGoing back to cutters, i strongly encourage you to add your end mills to the library. Even with other programs it's advisable to use the actual geometry of your cutters and not generic ones. Tolerance can vary widely from manufacturer to manufacturer so using your cutters actual diameter, number of flutes, flute length, and shoulder length make for much more accurate jobs. |
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Post by mrbigj on Mar 16, 2017 16:04:08 GMT
Just as an example... Have you done any v-carve work with Fusion? There is no v-carve bits in their extensive database of tools, and I can't get their v-carve function to work in the CAM section even after watching many Youtube videos. Just more complicated than it needs to be, and a little underwhelming for such powerful software. J Keep in mind, that V-carving is more a sign making operation not really in the realm of Fusions purpose. That's why you don't see cutters in the library. But yes it doesn't get explained well within the program. Here is a good video to help you out there. youtu.be/cNgk46XRMVgGoing back to cutters, i strongly encourage you to add your end mills to the library. Even with other programs it's advisable to use the actual geometry of your cutters and not generic ones. Tolerance can vary widely from manufacturer to manufacturer so using your cutters actual diameter, number of flutes, flute length, and shoulder length make for much more accurate jobs. Alex, Thanks for sharing that Youtube video... According to my simulation, I can finally v cut lettering now... One step closer to actually turning out a project with F360  J |
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Post by aforww on Mar 16, 2017 22:45:48 GMT
Keep in mind, that V-carving is more a sign making operation not really in the realm of Fusions purpose. That's why you don't see cutters in the library. But yes it doesn't get explained well within the program. Here is a good video to help you out there. youtu.be/cNgk46XRMVgGoing back to cutters, i strongly encourage you to add your end mills to the library. Even with other programs it's advisable to use the actual geometry of your cutters and not generic ones. Tolerance can vary widely from manufacturer to manufacturer so using your cutters actual diameter, number of flutes, flute length, and shoulder length make for much more accurate jobs. Alex, Thanks for sharing that Youtube video... According to my simulation, I can finally v cut lettering now... One step closer to actually turning out a project with F360 J Glad to help. |
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Post by aforww on Mar 16, 2017 22:54:22 GMT
In this case, you will have to add your V-bit to the library or fusion isn't going to know the geometry for the depths.
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Post by mrbigj on Mar 16, 2017 23:09:01 GMT
In this case, you will have to add your V-bit to the library or fusion isn't going to know the geometry for the depths. I plan on doing as you suggested and manually measuring all my end Mills and putting them in their own library in Fusion... J |
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Post by aforww on Mar 17, 2017 1:19:21 GMT
In this case, you will have to add your V-bit to the library or fusion isn't going to know the geometry for the depths. I plan on doing as you suggested and manually measuring all my end Mills and putting them in their own library in Fusion... J When you do, go ahead and set the default chip load for the material you will mill most with the particular cutter and your most common spindle Speed. This will save you some time down the road with CAM setup. You can always change it during CAM setup if you need to. |
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Post by jules rosen on May 19, 2017 0:35:36 GMT
Try free tinkercad......
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Post by activereality on Jun 27, 2017 4:01:21 GMT
Hello all,
Newb here, been lurking for a few days. Since im new, figured I'd give my 2 cents on program complexity. Haha.
I have been playing with fusion 360 for about 3-4 months now. Built up a few things that could be milled or turned, projects and tooling. And I agree 100% that it is complex as all get out.
However, looking at it from a different perspective (and not as a layman trying to build a 3d model of complex shapes) it has to be built up the way it is. It isn't made for the lowest common denominator (namely monkeys like us) its made for the highest (ny cnc). So, as stated before, companies large and small can use it to the most/highest level of effectiveness for them.
So in reality, That shear level of complexity is actually the best ease of use of its tools and capability spread for a wide range of uses and purposes. That is also why you can change and edit the available default menus and restructure the options to almost any configuration you like.
I previously worked at a medical device manufacturer who used solidworks and the "company" loved it, yet all of the engineers had fusion on their pc's and would just export the file to whatever they needed to send it through solidworks and then onto generate g-code for a large or mill.
I'm not married to any program really. I got fusion cause it was free for a student haha. But it has been a learning curve and many evenings if searching for one small detail- which usually ended up just being me not understanding what needed to be done to accomplish what I wanted- and it was usually easy to do haha.
Thanks
Activereality
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Post by Derek the Admin on Jun 27, 2017 9:00:12 GMT
Good post and welcome to the forum!
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Post by bobbatt on May 3, 2018 21:24:51 GMT
When you have the money to do so, invest in Solidworks. It's my favorite 3D CAD, CAM, and CAE software. Extremely versatile and pretty easy to learn. I am looking into Solidworks now... Unfortunately, no free trial  
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