Re: [Emc-users] Fusion 360

[Brian Bland]

I would like to try it out.

Brian Bland

On Tue, Nov 8, 2022 at 12:15 PM Les Newell 
wrote:

> SheetCam now has a lathe plugin. It's still in beta but you are welcome
> to try it. If you don't have a SheetCam license I can give you a free 30
> day license so you can have a play with it.
>
> Les
>
>

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Re: [Emc-users] Fusion 360

[Les Newell]

SheetCam now has a lathe plugin. It's still in beta but you are welcome 
to try it. If you don't have a SheetCam license I can give you a free 30 
day license so you can have a play with it.


Les


I've tried F360 for code on a small lathe and find it quite painful to get
the toolpath usable. It often wants to part off before completing the turn,
or just doesn't machine optimally.
Possibly because I mostly machine with a grooving tool, so you don't need a
tool-change.

I have to mess with the stock parameters etc. until it's a semblance of
usable, then re-arrange snippets of code to get the code usable.
What's really painful on Fusion is that you have to enter, and exit
'simulation', so you can never just make a small adjustment and see the
effect on toolpath.

Maybe I'm doing it wrong, and can't find a decent video on F360 lathe
turning. Have you come across one?

Roland





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Re: [Emc-users] Fusion 360

[stjohn gold]

Hi Roland,
fusion360 lathe is very easy. It runs the operations in order so you must
be doing something incorrectly. You control the toolpaths mostly. Perfectly
optimal is not always possible with any software.

Mostly machining with a grooving tool? Good luck!

Of course you have to set stock parameters.

What other cam software have you used? You always have to enter and exit
simulation..

There are hundreds if not thousands of fusion360 lathe videos on youtube
plus a huge fusion360 online community. I don't know what your expectations
are but expect to spend at least hundreds of hours playing with this stuff.
It is not hard but does require some effort!

best regards,
St.john



On Mon, 7 Nov 2022 at 11:06, Roland Jollivet 
wrote:

> I've tried F360 for code on a small lathe and find it quite painful to get
> the toolpath usable. It often wants to part off before completing the turn,
> or just doesn't machine optimally.
> Possibly because I mostly machine with a grooving tool, so you don't need a
> tool-change.
>
> I have to mess with the stock parameters etc. until it's a semblance of
> usable, then re-arrange snippets of code to get the code usable.
> What's really painful on Fusion is that you have to enter, and exit
> 'simulation', so you can never just make a small adjustment and see the
> effect on toolpath.
>
> Maybe I'm doing it wrong, and can't find a decent video on F360 lathe
> turning. Have you come across one?
>
> Roland
>
>
>
> On Wed, 2 Nov 2022 at 11:47, stjohn gold  wrote:
>
> > Fusion360 is great for cnc lathe work and post processor modification is
> > perfectly possible. I always use a space mouse and a normal mouse for
> > cad/cam work. I tried with a few different cad/cam systems running in a
> vm
> > etc and gave up. You will always get best results to my knowledge running
> > in windows ie what OS the said system is most used in, tested, developed
> > and supported in by the company that makes it. Community support for
> > fusion360 is reasonable for most stuff. I bought a license specifically
> for
> > the lathe cam. So far I am fairly happy. It solved a problem for me.
> >
> > cheers!
> > st.john
> >
> > On Mon, 24 Oct 2022 at 11:13, Viesturs Lācis 
> > wrote:
> >
> > > sestd., 2022. g. 22. okt., plkst. 12:59 — lietotājs andy pugh
> > > () rakstīja:
> > > >
> > > > I also have, and strongly recommend, a Space Mouse:
> > > >
> > >
> > > Awww yisss, +1 on this one! I have the very first gen SpacePilot, got
> > > it almost for free (it is not officially supported any more, it is
> > > trickery to get it recognized and everything installed  when I change
> > > PC, but the device itself works like a charm) and it makes
> > > pan/zoom/rotate so much easier! Especially in assemblies when placing
> > > mates and the model has to be moved and rotated constantly to select
> > > proper faces/edges etc.
> > >
> > > Viesturs
> > >
> > >
> > > ___
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> > > https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
> > >
> >
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>
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Re: [Emc-users] Fusion 360

[Jérémie Tarot]

Le lun. 7 nov. 2022 à 11:06, Roland Jollivet  a
écrit :

>
> Maybe I'm doing it wrong,



Can't say but friends enjoy it daily with their haas and siemens lathe.

and can't find a decent video on F360 late

turning. Have you come across one?
>


https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRnK7QUoVbAAZMVfITaY2q96qcqncLyD1


Hope it helps
There's a bunch of other playlists on the matter. Forum and FB groups are
also quite supportive

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Re: [Emc-users] Fusion 360

[gene heskett]

On 11/7/22 05:02, Roland Jollivet wrote:

I've tried F360 for code on a small lathe and find it quite painful to get
the toolpath usable. It often wants to part off before completing the turn,
or just doesn't machine optimally.
Possibly because I mostly machine with a grooving tool, so you don't need a
tool-change.

I have to mess with the stock parameters etc. until it's a semblance of
usable, then re-arrange snippets of code to get the code usable.
What's really painful on Fusion is that you have to enter, and exit
'simulation', so you can never just make a small adjustment and see the
effect on toolpath.

Maybe I'm doing it wrong, and can't find a decent video on F360 lathe
turning. Have you come across one?

Roland
I should probably just Shut Up, but 99% of everything I have done on my 
converted 11x54 Sheldon,
has been done with code I wrote from scratch. Ditto for my other 
machines. Like my go704 I

cnc'd about 7 years ago.

With help from Big Johns arcgenm18.py  for the arc code it took me about 
an hour to measure
up and machine an electrical duplex outlet port in a 1/8" alu panel just 
this past Saturday as
I was making a container for an autoformer transformer out of a 5kw 
sized 1/1 toroid that
weighs 48 lbs, to supply 1/2 line power (62 VAC) to the beds of a couple 
bigger 3d printers.


Both of them are so puny powered in terms of bed heaters that they need 
15 or more minutes
between hitting the return key to start a print before they even check 
the bed for warpage,
and move so slow that one part I want to print 6 up, will take it over a 
week to do.


Doing this at no room for a microbe accuracy is not that hard, each 
double flatted pattern that
fits the duplex I was measuring to write this code is this only 21 lines 
of .ngc.


Example: (with added comments)

gene@GO704:~/linuxcnc/nc_files$ cat duplex-pattern.ngc
( drive to center of pattern first, touch-off x , y, z just clearing the 
panel)

g20 ( do in inches)
s2000 (set spindle rpms)
m3 ( start spindle)
#<_zd>=0.00 (establish a depth variable)
o10 while [#<_zd> gt -.2] (set up a loop)
#<_zd>=[#<_zd>-.025] (calc next z position)
g1 f10 z#<_zd> (put Z there)
( from 35 to 145 degrees)
G1 F10 X0.4784 Y0.3350 (put x,y  at start position from center)
G3 X-0.4784 Y0.3350 I-0.4784 J-0.3350 (cut 1st arc, subtracting mill 
diameter in arcgenm18.py)

(connect ends by changing sign of y)
(change arcgen arguments by adding 180 to each start/stop, hit show me 
and paste results here)

g1 f10 X-0.4784 Y-0.3350 (draws straight line to start of 2nd arc
( copy/paste 2nd arc)
G3 X0.4784 Y-0.3350 I0.4784 J0.3350 (cut 2nd arc)
g1 f10 X0.4784 Y0.3350 (and cut back to top of loop)
o10 ENDWHILE (end of loop)
m5 ( turn off spindle )
m2 ( end of program )

21 lines of code, after I added comments, to do other half of duplex, 
measure
outside, inside spacing, add and /2 & jog x to the result and touch off 
x. run it again

for  2nd hole of duplex pattern. Fits like a latex glove.

Change to a slightly smaller drill bit, measure and drill 3 holes for 
the screws
to mount the duplex, install duplex & wire up the 4 SSR's that control 
it all.
2 wired to control power /to/ the transformer, 2 to steer its output 
/to/ the printer
that asked for it, by sending the printers 24 volts to the bed to the 
pair of SSR

inputs in series then sending the 62 VAC back to the bed that needs heated.

Done.

I'm not a youngster, if I can still do it at 88, I will.

Break more complex stuff down into individual operations as above and 
just do it.
Cut lots of air, its cheap and easy on the tools. I can do it by hand on 
my lathe,
as I replaced the cranks with encoder dials to control the motors that 
do the work,
but if you need to do it again later, write the code. This code could 
even be made

into a subroutine callable in a much larger programs for production use.

Now I'll Shut Up.

On Wed, 2 Nov 2022 at 11:47, stjohn gold  wrote:


Fusion360 is great for cnc lathe work and post processor modification is
perfectly possible. I always use a space mouse and a normal mouse for
cad/cam work. I tried with a few different cad/cam systems running in a vm
etc and gave up. You will always get best results to my knowledge running
in windows ie what OS the said system is most used in, tested, developed
and supported in by the company that makes it. Community support for
fusion360 is reasonable for most stuff. I bought a license specifically for
the lathe cam. So far I am fairly happy. It solved a problem for me.

cheers!
st.john

On Mon, 24 Oct 2022 at 11:13, Viesturs Lācis 
wrote:


sestd., 2022. g. 22. okt., plkst. 12:59 — lietotājs andy pugh
() rakstīja:

I also have, and strongly recommend, a Space Mouse:


Awww yisss, +1 on this one! I have the very first gen SpacePilot, got
it almost for free (it is not officially supported any more, it is
trickery to get it recognized and everything installed  when I change
PC, but the device itself works like a charm) and it makes

[Emc-users] Fusion 360

[Roland Jollivet]

I've tried F360 for code on a small lathe and find it quite painful to get
the toolpath usable. It often wants to part off before completing the turn,
or just doesn't machine optimally.
Possibly because I mostly machine with a grooving tool, so you don't need a
tool-change.

I have to mess with the stock parameters etc. until it's a semblance of
usable, then re-arrange snippets of code to get the code usable.
What's really painful on Fusion is that you have to enter, and exit
'simulation', so you can never just make a small adjustment and see the
effect on toolpath.

Maybe I'm doing it wrong, and can't find a decent video on F360 lathe
turning. Have you come across one?

Roland



On Wed, 2 Nov 2022 at 11:47, stjohn gold  wrote:

> Fusion360 is great for cnc lathe work and post processor modification is
> perfectly possible. I always use a space mouse and a normal mouse for
> cad/cam work. I tried with a few different cad/cam systems running in a vm
> etc and gave up. You will always get best results to my knowledge running
> in windows ie what OS the said system is most used in, tested, developed
> and supported in by the company that makes it. Community support for
> fusion360 is reasonable for most stuff. I bought a license specifically for
> the lathe cam. So far I am fairly happy. It solved a problem for me.
>
> cheers!
> st.john
>
> On Mon, 24 Oct 2022 at 11:13, Viesturs Lācis 
> wrote:
>
> > sestd., 2022. g. 22. okt., plkst. 12:59 — lietotājs andy pugh
> > () rakstīja:
> > >
> > > I also have, and strongly recommend, a Space Mouse:
> > >
> >
> > Awww yisss, +1 on this one! I have the very first gen SpacePilot, got
> > it almost for free (it is not officially supported any more, it is
> > trickery to get it recognized and everything installed  when I change
> > PC, but the device itself works like a charm) and it makes
> > pan/zoom/rotate so much easier! Especially in assemblies when placing
> > mates and the model has to be moved and rotated constantly to select
> > proper faces/edges etc.
> >
> > Viesturs
> >
> >
> > ___
> > Emc-users mailing list
> > Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net
> > https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
> >
>
> ___
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>

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Re: [Emc-users] Fusion 360

[stjohn gold]

Fusion360 is great for cnc lathe work and post processor modification is
perfectly possible. I always use a space mouse and a normal mouse for
cad/cam work. I tried with a few different cad/cam systems running in a vm
etc and gave up. You will always get best results to my knowledge running
in windows ie what OS the said system is most used in, tested, developed
and supported in by the company that makes it. Community support for
fusion360 is reasonable for most stuff. I bought a license specifically for
the lathe cam. So far I am fairly happy. It solved a problem for me.

cheers!
st.john

On Mon, 24 Oct 2022 at 11:13, Viesturs Lācis 
wrote:

> sestd., 2022. g. 22. okt., plkst. 12:59 — lietotājs andy pugh
> () rakstīja:
> >
> > I also have, and strongly recommend, a Space Mouse:
> >
>
> Awww yisss, +1 on this one! I have the very first gen SpacePilot, got
> it almost for free (it is not officially supported any more, it is
> trickery to get it recognized and everything installed  when I change
> PC, but the device itself works like a charm) and it makes
> pan/zoom/rotate so much easier! Especially in assemblies when placing
> mates and the model has to be moved and rotated constantly to select
> proper faces/edges etc.
>
> Viesturs
>
>
> ___
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Re: [Emc-users] Fusion 360

[Viesturs Lācis]

sestd., 2022. g. 22. okt., plkst. 12:59 — lietotājs andy pugh
() rakstīja:
>
> I also have, and strongly recommend, a Space Mouse:
>

Awww yisss, +1 on this one! I have the very first gen SpacePilot, got
it almost for free (it is not officially supported any more, it is
trickery to get it recognized and everything installed  when I change
PC, but the device itself works like a charm) and it makes
pan/zoom/rotate so much easier! Especially in assemblies when placing
mates and the model has to be moved and rotated constantly to select
proper faces/edges etc.

Viesturs


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Re: [Emc-users] Fusion 360

[Martin Dobbins]

I don't do well with laptops, and I have been building my own desktops for 
years because I don't care for what's available off the shelf.

Bleeding edge tends to be expensive, so right behind the bleeding edge hits the 
spot.

I've already got used to workarounds for the Freecad topological naming 
problem, you just sketch on planes and not faces.  It's a pity that most videos 
show the latter not explain the former.

I'm only wondering about this because I like a challenge, and it's a hobby.

Martin


From: Chris Albertson

Yes, you physical computer must have rough hardware resources that it can
give the virtual machine enough to run Fusion and still have enough
leftover to run Lininx. So a dual-core 8GB, integrated
graphic laptop would be a poor choice.   If that is all you have.  You
options are to try FreeCAD or  OnShape.OnShape is a good option, it
"feels" like Solid works because it has made by people who left SolidWords
to start a new company.   But you have to pay for the CAM add-ons from 3rd
party developers.FreeCAD is limited but runs native and does well on
low-end hardware.  It is good enough for simple projects.

The question is if you are making a living with this or if it is a hobby.
  If you are running a business, then invest in what you need.  Typically
you'd invest 25% of an employee's salary in capital equipment, so buying a
new $10,000 workstation every four years is not unreasonable.



On Sat, Oct 22, 2022 at 10:14 AM Martin Dobbins  wrote:

> Your saying it is a "resource hog" does not bode well for running it on a
> virtual machine that doesn't have hardware horsepower.
>
> Thanks, Thaddeus
>
> 
> From: Thaddeus Waldner
>
> I’ve done Fusion 360 CAD/CAM classes with middle school kids (age 10-14).
> While it was mostly an exercise on how to follow instructions, many of them
> knew their way around the software and could begin making changes on their
> own by the time it was over.
>
> I reiterate that it is a resource hog, much more so than Solidworks or
> Onshape. It becomes painfully slow on anything with less than 16gb memory
> or with mediocre single-threaded CPU performance.  It seems that none of
> those CAD packages are optimized much for multi-core processors.
>
> > On Oct 21, 2022, at 6:04 PM, Matthew Herd  wrote:
> >
> > I use fusion on both windows and Mac. Mostly Mac.
> >
> > Matthew Herd
> >
> >
> >> On Oct 21, 2022, at 6:52 PM, Martin Dobbins  wrote:
> >>
> >> So, following on from the CAM discussion and all the love shown to
> Fusion 360
> >>
> >> Has anyone tried:
> >>
> >> https://all3dp.com/2/fusion-360-for-linux-how-to-install-it/
> >>
> >> or something similar?
> >>
> >> Or do you all use Windows or Mac?
> >>
> >> Martin
> >>
> >>
> >> ___
> >> Emc-users mailing list
> >> Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net
> >> https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
> >
> >
> > ___
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>
>
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--

Chris Albertson
Redondo Beach, California

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Re: [Emc-users] Fusion 360

[Thaddeus Waldner]

Keep in mind that my experiences are in a school setting with some new 
computers but mostly older ones.
Our project involved bitmap trace in Inkscape -> svg  -> cad/cam -> machine out 
of MDF on a small router.
Bitmap trace can produce huge files with little effort; in fact, most of the 
effort is in simplifying the vector artwork to make it manageable in CAD 
software.

From: Martin Dobbins 
Sent: Saturday, October 22, 2022 11:56:47 AM
To: Enhanced Machine Controller (EMC) 
Subject: Re: [Emc-users] Fusion 360

Your saying it is a "resource hog" does not bode well for running it on a 
virtual machine that doesn't have hardware horsepower.

Thanks, Thaddeus


From: Thaddeus Waldner

I’ve done Fusion 360 CAD/CAM classes with middle school kids (age 10-14). While 
it was mostly an exercise on how to follow instructions, many of them knew 
their way around the software and could begin making changes on their own by 
the time it was over.

I reiterate that it is a resource hog, much more so than Solidworks or Onshape. 
It becomes painfully slow on anything with less than 16gb memory or with 
mediocre single-threaded CPU performance.  It seems that none of those CAD 
packages are optimized much for multi-core processors.

> On Oct 21, 2022, at 6:04 PM, Matthew Herd  wrote:
>
> I use fusion on both windows and Mac. Mostly Mac.
>
> Matthew Herd
>
>
>> On Oct 21, 2022, at 6:52 PM, Martin Dobbins  wrote:
>>
>> So, following on from the CAM discussion and all the love shown to Fusion 
>> 360
>>
>> Has anyone tried:
>>
>> https://all3dp.com/2/fusion-360-for-linux-how-to-install-it/
>>
>> or something similar?
>>
>> Or do you all use Windows or Mac?
>>
>> Martin
>>
>>
>> ___
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>> https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
>
>
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Re: [Emc-users] Fusion 360

[Chris Albertson]

Yes, you physical computer must have rough hardware resources that it can
give the virtual machine enough to run Fusion and still have enough
leftover to run Lininx. So a dual-core 8GB, integrated
graphic laptop would be a poor choice.   If that is all you have.  You
options are to try FreeCAD or  OnShape.OnShape is a good option, it
"feels" like Solid works because it has made by people who left SolidWords
to start a new company.   But you have to pay for the CAM add-ons from 3rd
party developers.FreeCAD is limited but runs native and does well on
low-end hardware.  It is good enough for simple projects.

The question is if you are making a living with this or if it is a hobby.
  If you are running a business, then invest in what you need.  Typically
you'd invest 25% of an employee's salary in capital equipment, so buying a
new $10,000 workstation every four years is not unreasonable.



On Sat, Oct 22, 2022 at 10:14 AM Martin Dobbins  wrote:

> Your saying it is a "resource hog" does not bode well for running it on a
> virtual machine that doesn't have hardware horsepower.
>
> Thanks, Thaddeus
>
> 
> From: Thaddeus Waldner
>
> I’ve done Fusion 360 CAD/CAM classes with middle school kids (age 10-14).
> While it was mostly an exercise on how to follow instructions, many of them
> knew their way around the software and could begin making changes on their
> own by the time it was over.
>
> I reiterate that it is a resource hog, much more so than Solidworks or
> Onshape. It becomes painfully slow on anything with less than 16gb memory
> or with mediocre single-threaded CPU performance.  It seems that none of
> those CAD packages are optimized much for multi-core processors.
>
> > On Oct 21, 2022, at 6:04 PM, Matthew Herd  wrote:
> >
> > I use fusion on both windows and Mac. Mostly Mac.
> >
> > Matthew Herd
> >
> >
> >> On Oct 21, 2022, at 6:52 PM, Martin Dobbins  wrote:
> >>
> >> So, following on from the CAM discussion and all the love shown to
> Fusion 360
> >>
> >> Has anyone tried:
> >>
> >> https://all3dp.com/2/fusion-360-for-linux-how-to-install-it/
> >>
> >> or something similar?
> >>
> >> Or do you all use Windows or Mac?
> >>
> >> Martin
> >>
> >>
> >> ___
> >> Emc-users mailing list
> >> Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net
> >> https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
> >
> >
> > ___
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>
>
>
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-- 

Chris Albertson
Redondo Beach, California

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Re: [Emc-users] Fusion 360

[Andy Pugh]

> On 22 Oct 2022, at 17:59, Chris Albertson  wrote:
> 
> I did not kow Fusion360 would work with a space mouse.  So how do you use
> it?

Mainly with the default settings to rotate the part, zoom etc. I pan with the 
other mouse + F2 which is a pretty wierd shortcut but worth mentioning in case 
you don’t know it. 



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Re: [Emc-users] Fusion 360

[Martin Dobbins]

Your saying it is a "resource hog" does not bode well for running it on a 
virtual machine that doesn't have hardware horsepower.

Thanks, Thaddeus


From: Thaddeus Waldner

I’ve done Fusion 360 CAD/CAM classes with middle school kids (age 10-14). While 
it was mostly an exercise on how to follow instructions, many of them knew 
their way around the software and could begin making changes on their own by 
the time it was over.

I reiterate that it is a resource hog, much more so than Solidworks or Onshape. 
It becomes painfully slow on anything with less than 16gb memory or with 
mediocre single-threaded CPU performance.  It seems that none of those CAD 
packages are optimized much for multi-core processors.

> On Oct 21, 2022, at 6:04 PM, Matthew Herd  wrote:
>
> I use fusion on both windows and Mac. Mostly Mac.
>
> Matthew Herd
>
>
>> On Oct 21, 2022, at 6:52 PM, Martin Dobbins  wrote:
>>
>> So, following on from the CAM discussion and all the love shown to Fusion 
>> 360
>>
>> Has anyone tried:
>>
>> https://all3dp.com/2/fusion-360-for-linux-how-to-install-it/
>>
>> or something similar?
>>
>> Or do you all use Windows or Mac?
>>
>> Martin
>>
>>
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>
>
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Re: [Emc-users] Fusion 360

[Chris Albertson]

A lot depends on what parts you are designing.  Simple, single parts with
mostly geometric surfaces can be done even on a low-end laptop PC.  But if
you want to model an entire CNC machine with every ball screw, bearing and
fastener and moving part with movement constraints for what parts are fixed
and which rotate, and which of them slide then you need a bigger PC.   32GB
RAM and 6 to 8 cores and importantly a GOOD GPU.  Just buy an Nvidia 3050
or something like that.   Most real projects have hundreds of parts.  But
for small single-part hobby projects, any PC will work

I've actually experimented.   I can add and remove CPU cores and RAM in
VMware and see the effect on performance.  The worst thing is when you
remove the Nvidia GPU and use software-graphics.  It becomes
unusable-slow.   Performance becomes good with 4-core and 24 GB.   But if
buying a new computer, I'd at least double those specs, and get the best
GPU I could afford.

When Autodesk finally gets off their buts and releases an Apple Silicon
native version of Fusion360, the obvious platform will be the Mac with
perhaps a couple of 4K monitors attached.  But we might be very old before
they do this.

On Sat, Oct 22, 2022 at 9:22 AM Thaddeus Waldner  wrote:

> I’ve done Fusion 360 CAD/CAM classes with middle school kids (age 10-14).
> While it was mostly an exercise on how to follow instructions, many of them
> knew their way around the software and could begin making changes on their
> own by the time it was over.
>
> I reiterate that it is a resource hog, much more so than Solidworks or
> Onshape. It becomes painfully slow on anything with less than 16gb memory
> or with mediocre single-threaded CPU performance.  It seems that none of
> those CAD packages are optimized much for multi-core processors.
>
> > On Oct 21, 2022, at 6:04 PM, Matthew Herd  wrote:
> >
> > I use fusion on both windows and Mac. Mostly Mac.
> >
> > Matthew Herd
> >
> >
> >> On Oct 21, 2022, at 6:52 PM, Martin Dobbins  wrote:
> >>
> >> So, following on from the CAM discussion and all the love shown to
> Fusion 360
> >>
> >> Has anyone tried:
> >>
> >> https://all3dp.com/2/fusion-360-for-linux-how-to-install-it/
> >>
> >> or something similar?
> >>
> >> Or do you all use Windows or Mac?
> >>
> >> Martin
> >>
> >>
> >> ___
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> >> Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net
> >> https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
> >
> >
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>
>
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Re: [Emc-users] Fusion 360

[Chris Albertson]

I did not kow Fusion360 would work with a space mouse.  So how do you use
it?

About Fusion on Mac.  We are in a transition period.

I will likely move back to using the Mac, after Autodesk releases an Apple
Silicon (ARM Based) version of Fusion360.  I'd run it on a 13" macbook Pro
and 27" 4K monitor.   Maybe even two 27" monitors.   My next big project
will be to integrate some motor housing and gear reductons with robot
structure to eliminate the wasted mass when you bolt a motor to a frame,
the frame will be the motor housing.  This is the kind of part where Fusion
excels.  Parts where animal-like sculpted shapes are combined
with precision mechanics. (like car doors, with all their internal parts)
  It works, but you want a very heavy-duty computing platform, or it gets
kind of slow.   The new Apple CPUs are dramatically faster than the Intel
processors, but only if the developer takes advantage of the hardware.
Autodesk is dragging its feet on this.  They have had 5 years and so far
have nothing to show.

So, Fusion runs well on older Intel powered Macs (which are no longer being
sold by Apple) but the new ARM based Macs are so fast they can emulate the
Intel CPU and still run faster enough or even faster than Intel.  But we
wait for Fusion to be native on Apple Silicon.

On Sat, Oct 22, 2022 at 2:59 AM andy pugh  wrote:

> On Fri, 21 Oct 2022 at 23:52, Martin Dobbins  wrote:
>
> > Or do you all use Windows or Mac?
>
> I use my 27" iMac, it's a lovely screen for CAD. I also have, and
> strongly recommend, a Space Mouse:
>
> https://www.amazon.co.uk/3Dconnexion-3DX-700059-Spacemouse-Compact-Mouse/dp/B079Z3T2XC/
> (Though, naturally, I got mine for a fraction of that price from eBay)
>
> The Mac version is really why I transitioned from Inventor to
> Fusion360, as running Inventor in a VM wasn't a great experience (and
> I have never owned a Windows PC)
>
> --
> atp
> "A motorcycle is a bicycle with a pandemonium attachment and is
> designed for the especial use of mechanical geniuses, daredevils and
> lunatics."
> — George Fitch, Atlanta Constitution Newspaper, 1912
>
>
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Re: [Emc-users] Fusion 360

[Thaddeus Waldner]

I’ve done Fusion 360 CAD/CAM classes with middle school kids (age 10-14). While 
it was mostly an exercise on how to follow instructions, many of them knew 
their way around the software and could begin making changes on their own by 
the time it was over. 

I reiterate that it is a resource hog, much more so than Solidworks or Onshape. 
It becomes painfully slow on anything with less than 16gb memory or with 
mediocre single-threaded CPU performance.  It seems that none of those CAD 
packages are optimized much for multi-core processors.

> On Oct 21, 2022, at 6:04 PM, Matthew Herd  wrote:
> 
> I use fusion on both windows and Mac. Mostly Mac. 
> 
> Matthew Herd
> 
> 
>> On Oct 21, 2022, at 6:52 PM, Martin Dobbins  wrote:
>> 
>> So, following on from the CAM discussion and all the love shown to Fusion 
>> 360
>> 
>> Has anyone tried:
>> 
>> https://all3dp.com/2/fusion-360-for-linux-how-to-install-it/
>> 
>> or something similar?
>> 
>> Or do you all use Windows or Mac?
>> 
>> Martin
>> 
>> 
>> ___
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> 
> 
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Re: [Emc-users] Fusion 360

[Martin Dobbins]

So, you can run it on a virtual machine with the right hardware, thanks Chris.


From: Chris Albertson

I run Fusion 360 on Linux inside a virtual machine.  I use VMware and then
Windows 10 and then Fusion 360.   This works well if you have a computer
with enough RAM and CPU cores, and a good enough graphics card. I keep the
VM image on an M.2 FLASH memory that is very fast
  Inside VMware, you can specify how much RAM and how many CPU cores to
assign to the virtual Windows computer. Fusion needs maybe 4 cores and 24
GB RAM to function acceptably.  Linux continues to run on what is left over.

I have also run Fusion 360 in a 2011 vintage iMac with a 4-core i5 CPU and
32 GB RAM.Fusion 360 has comparable performance on both computers.

The largest project I did on Fusion 360 with the above is a CNC conversion
of a Harbor Freight mini mill.  I modeled the entire mill and also all the
add-on parts.

On Fri, Oct 21, 2022 at 3:52 PM Martin Dobbins  wrote:

> So, following on from the CAM discussion and all the love shown to Fusion
> 360
>
> Has anyone tried:
>
> https://all3dp.com/2/fusion-360-for-linux-how-to-install-it/
>
> or something similar?
>
> Or do you all use Windows or Mac?
>
> Martin
>
>
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Redondo Beach, California

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Re: [Emc-users] Fusion 360

[andy pugh]

On Fri, 21 Oct 2022 at 23:52, Martin Dobbins  wrote:

> Or do you all use Windows or Mac?

I use my 27" iMac, it's a lovely screen for CAD. I also have, and
strongly recommend, a Space Mouse:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/3Dconnexion-3DX-700059-Spacemouse-Compact-Mouse/dp/B079Z3T2XC/
(Though, naturally, I got mine for a fraction of that price from eBay)

The Mac version is really why I transitioned from Inventor to
Fusion360, as running Inventor in a VM wasn't a great experience (and
I have never owned a Windows PC)

-- 
atp
"A motorcycle is a bicycle with a pandemonium attachment and is
designed for the especial use of mechanical geniuses, daredevils and
lunatics."
— George Fitch, Atlanta Constitution Newspaper, 1912


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Re: [Emc-users] Fusion 360

[Sam Sokolik]

I tried this about 6 months ago.. It was about 95% there..  (Lutris)  My
account, My drawing...

https://photos.app.goo.gl/5PMsUnD4KAFyEFkF6

On Fri, Oct 21, 2022 at 8:32 PM Chris Albertson 
wrote:

> I run Fusion 360 on Linux inside a virtual machine.  I use VMware and then
> Windows 10 and then Fusion 360.   This works well if you have a computer
> with enough RAM and CPU cores, and a good enough graphics card. I keep the
> VM image on an M.2 FLASH memory that is very fast
>   Inside VMware, you can specify how much RAM and how many CPU cores to
> assign to the virtual Windows computer. Fusion needs maybe 4 cores and 24
> GB RAM to function acceptably.  Linux continues to run on what is left
> over.
>
> I have also run Fusion 360 in a 2011 vintage iMac with a 4-core i5 CPU and
> 32 GB RAM.Fusion 360 has comparable performance on both computers.
>
> The largest project I did on Fusion 360 with the above is a CNC conversion
> of a Harbor Freight mini mill.  I modeled the entire mill and also all the
> add-on parts.
>
> On Fri, Oct 21, 2022 at 3:52 PM Martin Dobbins  wrote:
>
> > So, following on from the CAM discussion and all the love shown to Fusion
> > 360
> >
> > Has anyone tried:
> >
> > https://all3dp.com/2/fusion-360-for-linux-how-to-install-it/
> >
> > or something similar?
> >
> > Or do you all use Windows or Mac?
> >
> > Martin
> >
> >
> > ___
> > Emc-users mailing list
> > Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net
> > https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
> >
>
>
> --
>
> Chris Albertson
> Redondo Beach, California
>
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Re: [Emc-users] Fusion 360

[Chris Albertson]

I run Fusion 360 on Linux inside a virtual machine.  I use VMware and then
Windows 10 and then Fusion 360.   This works well if you have a computer
with enough RAM and CPU cores, and a good enough graphics card. I keep the
VM image on an M.2 FLASH memory that is very fast
  Inside VMware, you can specify how much RAM and how many CPU cores to
assign to the virtual Windows computer. Fusion needs maybe 4 cores and 24
GB RAM to function acceptably.  Linux continues to run on what is left over.

I have also run Fusion 360 in a 2011 vintage iMac with a 4-core i5 CPU and
32 GB RAM.Fusion 360 has comparable performance on both computers.

The largest project I did on Fusion 360 with the above is a CNC conversion
of a Harbor Freight mini mill.  I modeled the entire mill and also all the
add-on parts.

On Fri, Oct 21, 2022 at 3:52 PM Martin Dobbins  wrote:

> So, following on from the CAM discussion and all the love shown to Fusion
> 360
>
> Has anyone tried:
>
> https://all3dp.com/2/fusion-360-for-linux-how-to-install-it/
>
> or something similar?
>
> Or do you all use Windows or Mac?
>
> Martin
>
>
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>


-- 

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Redondo Beach, California

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Re: [Emc-users] Fusion 360

[Matthew Herd]

I use fusion on both windows and Mac. Mostly Mac. 

Matthew Herd


> On Oct 21, 2022, at 6:52 PM, Martin Dobbins  wrote:
> 
> So, following on from the CAM discussion and all the love shown to Fusion 360
> 
> Has anyone tried:
> 
> https://all3dp.com/2/fusion-360-for-linux-how-to-install-it/
> 
> or something similar?
> 
> Or do you all use Windows or Mac?
> 
> Martin
> 
> 
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[Emc-users] Fusion 360

[Martin Dobbins]

So, following on from the CAM discussion and all the love shown to Fusion 360

Has anyone tried:

https://all3dp.com/2/fusion-360-for-linux-how-to-install-it/

or something similar?

Or do you all use Windows or Mac?

Martin


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Re: [Emc-users] Fusion 360

[Thaddeus Waldner]

The limitation on a free or non-edu OnShape account is that you can’t make 
private documents.
There’s also an iOS/Android app available for it. This works great as a mobile 
reference to your drawings. The iPad with Apple Pencil and OnShape is currently 
my favorite way to draw stuff.

It’s a shame they don’t do CAM.

Thaddeus Waldner
Newdale School
Elkton, SD 57026


From: Gene Heskett 
Sent: Tuesday, March 26, 2019 12:16 AM
To: emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net
Subject: Re: [Emc-users] Fusion 360

On Monday 25 March 2019 21:51:03 Chris Albertson wrote:

> A lot of people like OnShape.
> https://www.onshape.com

Impressive, much moreso than watching freecad video's. Looks like it has
canned constructs and built in error checking. Neat even.

That looks like I might be able to learn to use it. But even the trimmed
down version at $1500 is beyond my SS based budget. Sigh. So I muddle
along, writing my own gcode, using LCNC's backplot as a previewer. I
didn't check the trial duration as I know I'd not be able to produce
more than a screw in the usual 30 days. Which is likely more than I'd be
able to do with any of the others because it actually does look easier
to learn.

> It is web-based 3D CAD that has features comparable to Fusion 360 and
> SolidWorks. I've seen it used to
> make some complex parts. Right now I'm looking at some one's 1/4
> scale working model if a Mars Rover
> It has 6 powered wheels, four that steer. That is about as complex a
> project as most hobby user would attempt.
>
> THey hac=ve several teras, the free version is available to everyone
> and then you get some more features if you pay a license fee.
>
> It will even run on and computer that was a web browser, even a
> Chromebook (which is Google's brand of Linux on a low end Notebook)
>
> If you can't use Windows 10 or Mac OS and you want a good, high end
> free 3D CAD system look at it.

I didn't see any reference to a limited free version. Ah, the educator
version! But I can't truthfully qualify, I'm not an active educator,
nor do I have the minimum education of 12 years. 8+GED is all I can
claim. Old farts like me? Nope. No "slot" that fits a long time
graduate of the University of Hard Knocks. Yup, I do have a diploma from
that school hanging on the bedroom wall. It shares wall space with my
C.E.T certification.

> On Sat, Mar 23, 2019 at 4:07 PM Greg Bernard 
wrote:
> > Basically, it says if you download their 2019 Draftsight
> > version, you will no longer be able to use any older
> > version, and all free versions will cease to work after
> > 12/31/2019.
> > They are not clear on what happens with Mac and Linux
> > versions, but it doesn't sound good.

No it doesn't.

> > I was all excited to hear about another CAD package that
> > works on Linux, but now I'm not sure I should waste time
> > learning about it.
> >
> > It is indeed unclear. I would be unhappy about losing free access to
> > Draftsight but would grudgingly cough up the $99. If they
> > discontinued the Linux version I would be be devastated, though.
> > If you do have Autocad experience, you'll have no problem whatsoever
> > with Draftsight as it's practically a clone of Autocad. If that's
> > the case, you've got nothing to lose downloading it now and hoping
> > you can keep it.
> >
> > On Sat, Mar 23, 2019 at 4:44 PM Jon Elson 
wrote:
> > > On 03/23/2019 11:52 AM, Greg Bernard wrote:
> > > > Now that I'm retired and no longer have access to Autocad I'm
> > > > using Draftsight for all of my 2d work which is practically
> > > > indistinguishable from Autocad with the advantage of being free
> > > > and running on Linux.
> > >
> > > Wow, you need to read this web page :
> >
> > https://www.3ds.com/products-services/draftsight-cad-software/downlo
> >ad-draftsight//
> >
> > > Basically, it says if you download their 2019 Draftsight
> > > version, you will no longer be able to use any older
> > > version, and all free versions will cease to work after
> > > 12/31/2019.
> > > They are not clear on what happens with Mac and Linux
> > > versions, but it doesn't sound good.
> > >
> > > I was all excited to hear about another CAD package that
> > > works on Linux, but now I'm not sure I should waste time
> > > learning about it.
> > >
> > > Any comments are welcome.
> > >
> > > Jon

Cheers, Gene Heskett
--
"There are four boxes to be used in defense of liberty:
soap, ballot, jury, and ammo. Please use in that order."
-Ed Howdershelt (Author)
Genes Web page <http://geneslinuxbox.net:6309/gene>



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Re: [Emc-users] Fusion 360

[Gene Heskett]

On Monday 25 March 2019 21:51:03 Chris Albertson wrote:

> A lot of people like OnShape.
> https://www.onshape.com

Impressive, much moreso than watching freecad video's. Looks like it has 
canned constructs and built in error checking.  Neat even.

That looks like I might be able to learn to use it. But even the trimmed 
down version at $1500 is beyond my SS based budget.  Sigh. So I muddle 
along, writing my own gcode, using LCNC's backplot as a previewer. I 
didn't check the trial duration as I know I'd not be able to produce 
more than a screw in the usual 30 days. Which is likely more than I'd be 
able to do with any of the others because it actually does look easier 
to learn.

> It is web-based 3D CAD that has features comparable to Fusion 360 and
> SolidWorks.  I've seen it used to
> make some complex parts.   Right now I'm looking at some one's 1/4
> scale working model if a Mars Rover
> It has 6 powered wheels, four that steer.  That is about as complex a
> project as most hobby user would attempt.
>
> THey hac=ve several teras, the free version is available to everyone
> and then you get some more features if you pay a license fee.
>
> It will even run on and computer that was a web browser, even a
> Chromebook (which is Google's brand of Linux on a low end Notebook)
>
> If you can't use Windows 10 or Mac OS and you want a good, high end
> free 3D CAD system look at it.

I didn't see any reference to a limited free version. Ah, the educator 
version!  But I can't truthfully qualify, I'm not an active educator, 
nor do I have the minimum education of 12 years. 8+GED is all I can 
claim. Old farts like me?  Nope.  No "slot" that fits a long time 
graduate of the University of Hard Knocks. Yup, I do have a diploma from 
that school hanging on the bedroom wall.  It shares wall space with my 
C.E.T certification.

> On Sat, Mar 23, 2019 at 4:07 PM Greg Bernard  
wrote:
> > Basically, it says if you download their 2019 Draftsight
> > version, you will no longer be able to use any older
> > version, and all free versions will cease to work after
> > 12/31/2019.
> > They are not clear on what happens with Mac and Linux
> > versions, but it doesn't sound good.

No it doesn't.

> > I was all excited to hear about another CAD package that
> > works on Linux, but now I'm not sure I should waste time
> > learning about it.
> >
> > It is indeed unclear. I would be unhappy about losing free access to
> > Draftsight but would grudgingly cough up the $99. If they
> > discontinued the Linux version I would be be devastated, though.
> > If you do have Autocad experience, you'll have no problem whatsoever
> > with Draftsight as it's practically a clone of Autocad. If that's
> > the case, you've got nothing to lose downloading it now and hoping
> > you can keep it.
> >
> > On Sat, Mar 23, 2019 at 4:44 PM Jon Elson  
wrote:
> > > On 03/23/2019 11:52 AM, Greg Bernard wrote:
> > > > Now that I'm retired and no longer have access to  Autocad I'm
> > > > using Draftsight for all of my 2d work which is practically
> > > > indistinguishable from Autocad with the advantage of being free
> > > > and running on Linux.
> > >
> > > Wow, you need to read this web page :
> >
> > https://www.3ds.com/products-services/draftsight-cad-software/downlo
> >ad-draftsight//
> >
> > > Basically, it says if you download their 2019 Draftsight
> > > version, you will no longer be able to use any older
> > > version, and all free versions will cease to work after
> > > 12/31/2019.
> > > They are not clear on what happens with Mac and Linux
> > > versions, but it doesn't sound good.
> > >
> > > I was all excited to hear about another CAD package that
> > > works on Linux, but now I'm not sure I should waste time
> > > learning about it.
> > >
> > > Any comments are welcome.
> > >
> > > Jon

Cheers, Gene Heskett
-- 
"There are four boxes to be used in defense of liberty:
 soap, ballot, jury, and ammo. Please use in that order."
-Ed Howdershelt (Author)
Genes Web page 



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Re: [Emc-users] Fusion 360

[Greg Bernard]

A lot of people like OnShape.

But it has no CAM

On Mon, Mar 25, 2019 at 8:54 PM Chris Albertson 
wrote:

> A lot of people like OnShape.
> https://www.onshape.com
>
> It is web-based 3D CAD that has features comparable to Fusion 360 and
> SolidWorks.  I've seen it used to
> make some complex parts.   Right now I'm looking at some one's 1/4 scale
> working model if a Mars Rover
> It has 6 powered wheels, four that steer.  That is about as complex a
> project as most hobby user would attempt.
>
> THey hac=ve several teras, the free version is available to everyone and
> then you get some more features if you pay a license fee.
>
> It will even run on and computer that was a web browser, even a Chromebook
> (which is Google's brand of Linux on a low end Notebook)
>
> If you can't use Windows 10 or Mac OS and you want a good, high end free 3D
> CAD system look at it.
>
>
>
>
>
> On Sat, Mar 23, 2019 at 4:07 PM Greg Bernard 
> wrote:
>
> > Basically, it says if you download their 2019 Draftsight
> > version, you will no longer be able to use any older
> > version, and all free versions will cease to work after
> > 12/31/2019.
> > They are not clear on what happens with Mac and Linux
> > versions, but it doesn't sound good.
> >
> > I was all excited to hear about another CAD package that
> > works on Linux, but now I'm not sure I should waste time
> > learning about it.
> >
> > It is indeed unclear. I would be unhappy about losing free access to
> > Draftsight but would grudgingly cough up the $99. If they discontinued
> the
> > Linux version I would be be devastated, though.
> > If you do have Autocad experience, you'll have no problem whatsoever with
> > Draftsight as it's practically a clone of Autocad. If that's the case,
> > you've got nothing to lose downloading it now and hoping you can keep it.
> >
> > On Sat, Mar 23, 2019 at 4:44 PM Jon Elson 
> wrote:
> >
> > > On 03/23/2019 11:52 AM, Greg Bernard wrote:
> > > > Now that I'm retired and no longer have access to  Autocad I'm using
> > > > Draftsight for all of my 2d work which is practically
> indistinguishable
> > > > from Autocad with the advantage of being free and running on Linux.
> > > Wow, you need to read this web page :
> > >
> > >
> >
> https://www.3ds.com/products-services/draftsight-cad-software/download-draftsight//
> > >
> > >
> > > Basically, it says if you download their 2019 Draftsight
> > > version, you will no longer be able to use any older
> > > version, and all free versions will cease to work after
> > > 12/31/2019.
> > > They are not clear on what happens with Mac and Linux
> > > versions, but it doesn't sound good.
> > >
> > > I was all excited to hear about another CAD package that
> > > works on Linux, but now I'm not sure I should waste time
> > > learning about it.
> > >
> > > Any comments are welcome.
> > >
> > > Jon
> > >
> > >
> > > ___
> > > Emc-users mailing list
> > > Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net
> > > https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
> > >
> >
> >
> > --
> > "Anyone who believes exponential growth can go on forever in a finite
> world
> > is either a madman or an economist."
> > -Kenneth Boulding, economist
> > Corporations are NOT people and money is NOT speech!
> >
> > ___
> > Emc-users mailing list
> > Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net
> > https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
> >
>
>
> --
>
> Chris Albertson
> Redondo Beach, California
>
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>


-- 
"Anyone who believes exponential growth can go on forever in a finite world
is either a madman or an economist."
-Kenneth Boulding, economist
Corporations are NOT people and money is NOT speech!

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Re: [Emc-users] Fusion 360

[Chris Albertson]

A lot of people like OnShape.
https://www.onshape.com

It is web-based 3D CAD that has features comparable to Fusion 360 and
SolidWorks.  I've seen it used to
make some complex parts.   Right now I'm looking at some one's 1/4 scale
working model if a Mars Rover
It has 6 powered wheels, four that steer.  That is about as complex a
project as most hobby user would attempt.

THey hac=ve several teras, the free version is available to everyone and
then you get some more features if you pay a license fee.

It will even run on and computer that was a web browser, even a Chromebook
(which is Google's brand of Linux on a low end Notebook)

If you can't use Windows 10 or Mac OS and you want a good, high end free 3D
CAD system look at it.





On Sat, Mar 23, 2019 at 4:07 PM Greg Bernard  wrote:

> Basically, it says if you download their 2019 Draftsight
> version, you will no longer be able to use any older
> version, and all free versions will cease to work after
> 12/31/2019.
> They are not clear on what happens with Mac and Linux
> versions, but it doesn't sound good.
>
> I was all excited to hear about another CAD package that
> works on Linux, but now I'm not sure I should waste time
> learning about it.
>
> It is indeed unclear. I would be unhappy about losing free access to
> Draftsight but would grudgingly cough up the $99. If they discontinued the
> Linux version I would be be devastated, though.
> If you do have Autocad experience, you'll have no problem whatsoever with
> Draftsight as it's practically a clone of Autocad. If that's the case,
> you've got nothing to lose downloading it now and hoping you can keep it.
>
> On Sat, Mar 23, 2019 at 4:44 PM Jon Elson  wrote:
>
> > On 03/23/2019 11:52 AM, Greg Bernard wrote:
> > > Now that I'm retired and no longer have access to  Autocad I'm using
> > > Draftsight for all of my 2d work which is practically indistinguishable
> > > from Autocad with the advantage of being free and running on Linux.
> > Wow, you need to read this web page :
> >
> >
> https://www.3ds.com/products-services/draftsight-cad-software/download-draftsight//
> >
> >
> > Basically, it says if you download their 2019 Draftsight
> > version, you will no longer be able to use any older
> > version, and all free versions will cease to work after
> > 12/31/2019.
> > They are not clear on what happens with Mac and Linux
> > versions, but it doesn't sound good.
> >
> > I was all excited to hear about another CAD package that
> > works on Linux, but now I'm not sure I should waste time
> > learning about it.
> >
> > Any comments are welcome.
> >
> > Jon
> >
> >
> > ___
> > Emc-users mailing list
> > Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net
> > https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
> >
>
>
> --
> "Anyone who believes exponential growth can go on forever in a finite world
> is either a madman or an economist."
> -Kenneth Boulding, economist
> Corporations are NOT people and money is NOT speech!
>
> ___
> Emc-users mailing list
> Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net
> https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
>


-- 

Chris Albertson
Redondo Beach, California

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Re: [Emc-users] Fusion 360

[Sam Sokolik]

I have been getting into fusion for a while now...  Slowly.  I was
corrupted with acad 12 and it is hard for me to go full parametric... ;)
 So it is really the only windows based application that I run anymore.  It
runs ok in a virtual machine - if the file isn't too big.  I finally drank
the coolaid of vfio and video passthrough to a vm..  Over the last few
months I have been looking for a laptop that I can pass the dedicated video
to a windows 10 vm.  Finally found a MSI gs60 that worked.  Pretty well
actually.  The only issue with that laptop is there was no actual
connection between the dedicated video (gtx860m) and the external video
ports.   Well - after looking and looking I found a dell precision 7720
with a quadro p4000.  It is a beast but has a 4k monitor and the quadro can
connect directly to the video ports..  So I can do..
http://electronicsam.com/images/greenmachine/20190319_182509.jpg

short video explaining what/why I did it.  The wine solution isn't 100% yet

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oewzzB54MZk=

most of the time you have a 10 or 7 license with your laptop...  You can so
far install windows 10 with a win7 license...




On Fri, Mar 22, 2019 at 9:49 PM Gene Heskett  wrote:

> On Friday 22 March 2019 18:46:41 Bruce Layne wrote:
>
> > Being an unrepentant capitalist, I must admit that commercial software
> > has much to recommend it.  There is money to pay programmers to
> > develop stable and feature rich software, and market forces keep the
> > product customer focused so the market gets the features that
> > customers want. When Fusion 360 launched, I signed up on the AutoDesk
> > forum to ask for a native Linux version.  The AutoDesk administrator
> > told me that despite not being too much effort given the cross
> > platform development tools they use to make the Windows and Mac
> > version, there would never be a Linux version because Linux users
> > won't pay for software.  That was an odd thing to tell me, given that
> > I had long ago paid $1250 for Eagle electronic CAD software,
> > specifically because they offered a very good native Linux version,
> > and I paid annual maintenance fees for years after the initial
> > "purchase."  Do we ever really own software?
> >
> > I wasn't impressed with the AutoDesk attitude, which was slightly less
> > offensive than Microsoft's "Linux is cancer" public statement on open
> > source software.
> >
> > Part of me was relieved.  Even though I wouldn't have the advantage of
> > the rich features and rising industry standard that Fusion 360
> > represented, I wouldn't be setting myself up for another proprietary
> > software ambush.  AutoDesk had done that to me before.  They sold me
> > on AutoSketch which, as an electrical engineer was all of the
> > mechanical CAD software I'd need.  Then they discontinued AutoSketch
> > at the moment that I learned enough to be productive and unilaterally
> > converted my license to an AutoCAD Lite license.  AutoCAD Lite
> > required a completely new learning curve, so I was forced to start
> > over.  They charged me the higher AutoCAD Lite maintenance fees while
> > constantly nagging me to upgrade to the complicated and expensive full
> > blown AutoCAD that I didn't want or need.  None of the drawings that I
> > created in AutoSketch could be used.  There was no import or
> > conversion to AutoCAD Lite.  The hundreds of hours I spent in
> > AutoSketch was a completely wasted effort. I got the impression that
> > AutoDesk viewed their entry level products as marketing tools to hook
> > new users so they could be up sold on their more expensive CAD
> > software.  It was a marketing approach that was not customer oriented.
> >
> > At the time, AutoCAD was still a 2D CAD package, but they had tacked
> > on some kludge 3D features.  Meanwhile, smaller and leaner software
> > companies had introduced true 3D CAD.  Many still exist but SolidWorks
> > emerged as the big winner.  AutoDesk was suddenly at the back of the
> > pack and disappeared in the rear view mirror for a few years.  Fusion
> > 360 is their attempt to recapture the market they lost through
> > complacency.  I can't help but feel that once AutoDesk has herded the
> > majority of the CAD market back into a near AutoDesk monopoly, they'll
> > start putting the screws to the users again.
> >
> > I have no interest in AutoDesk's proprietary Fusion 360 file format
> > that uses the files that I create to hold me hostage.  I have even
> > less interest in sharing my data on their cloud.
> >
> > I use FreeCAD, mostly for 3D printing.  It's still not ready for prime
> > time and doesn't have a usable CAM system so it's not a possible
> > replacement for Fusion 360, but it's a viable CAD option for me when
> > Fusion 360 isn't.
> >
> > If there was no FreeCAD, I'd use OpenSCAD long before I'd use Fusion
> > 360.  Free Open Source Software for the win.  I wish there was some
> > effective method to leverage the advantages of commercial software and

Re: [Emc-users] Fusion 360

[Greg Bernard]

Basically, it says if you download their 2019 Draftsight
version, you will no longer be able to use any older
version, and all free versions will cease to work after
12/31/2019.
They are not clear on what happens with Mac and Linux
versions, but it doesn't sound good.

I was all excited to hear about another CAD package that
works on Linux, but now I'm not sure I should waste time
learning about it.

It is indeed unclear. I would be unhappy about losing free access to
Draftsight but would grudgingly cough up the $99. If they discontinued the
Linux version I would be be devastated, though.
If you do have Autocad experience, you'll have no problem whatsoever with
Draftsight as it's practically a clone of Autocad. If that's the case,
you've got nothing to lose downloading it now and hoping you can keep it.

On Sat, Mar 23, 2019 at 4:44 PM Jon Elson  wrote:

> On 03/23/2019 11:52 AM, Greg Bernard wrote:
> > Now that I'm retired and no longer have access to  Autocad I'm using
> > Draftsight for all of my 2d work which is practically indistinguishable
> > from Autocad with the advantage of being free and running on Linux.
> Wow, you need to read this web page :
>
> https://www.3ds.com/products-services/draftsight-cad-software/download-draftsight//
>
>
> Basically, it says if you download their 2019 Draftsight
> version, you will no longer be able to use any older
> version, and all free versions will cease to work after
> 12/31/2019.
> They are not clear on what happens with Mac and Linux
> versions, but it doesn't sound good.
>
> I was all excited to hear about another CAD package that
> works on Linux, but now I'm not sure I should waste time
> learning about it.
>
> Any comments are welcome.
>
> Jon
>
>
> ___
> Emc-users mailing list
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> https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
>


-- 
"Anyone who believes exponential growth can go on forever in a finite world
is either a madman or an economist."
-Kenneth Boulding, economist
Corporations are NOT people and money is NOT speech!

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Re: [Emc-users] Fusion 360

[Jon Elson]

On 03/23/2019 11:52 AM, Greg Bernard wrote:

Now that I'm retired and no longer have access to  Autocad I'm using
Draftsight for all of my 2d work which is practically indistinguishable
from Autocad with the advantage of being free and running on Linux.

Wow, you need to read this web page :
https://www.3ds.com/products-services/draftsight-cad-software/download-draftsight//


Basically, it says if you download their 2019 Draftsight 
version, you will no longer be able to use any older 
version, and all free versions will cease to work after 
12/31/2019.
They are not clear on what happens with Mac and Linux 
versions, but it doesn't sound good.


I was all excited to hear about another CAD package that 
works on Linux, but now I'm not sure I should waste time 
learning about it.


Any comments are welcome.

Jon


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Re: [Emc-users] Fusion 360

[Lester Caine]

On 23/03/2019 15:26, Gene Heskett wrote:

Luverly. Good thing I'm not a job shop. One thing nice about LCNC,
clicking on that connectors first move in the backplot, highlights the
code line, making it easy to see where in a mass of code, that connector
exists. If its nothing but the hole size, a hand edit might be all thats
needed. But you knew that.:)   Sure helps to find that birch tree in a
forest of pines for me though.


Might well end up there anyway ... only complication 6 lines become 4 
but they are wrapped in z moves ;)


--
Lester Caine - G8HFL
-
Contact - https://lsces.co.uk/wiki/?page=contact
L.S.Caine Electronic Services - https://lsces.co.uk
EnquirySolve - https://enquirysolve.com/
Model Engineers Digital Workshop - https://medw.co.uk
Rainbow Digital Media - https://rainbowdigitalmedia.co.uk


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Re: [Emc-users] Fusion 360

[Bruce Layne]

On 3/23/19 12:52 PM, Greg Bernard wrote:
> As an Autocad user for 25 years, I can say the issue of file formats not
> being backward compatible is really not a significant problem. All Autocad
> versions have the option of saving the file in an older .dwg or .dxf
> format. There may be some minor problems with formatting of dimensions,
> etc. but when they do occur it's usually not a big deal to correct them.

DXF export may be true of AutoCAD but it was not the case with the ill
fated AutoSketch which would export a DWG so I could start leasing
AutoCAD, or some version of DXF that I was never able to import into
anything.

AutoDesk had a reputation of creating the industry "standard" DXF format
so they could control it.  In theory, it was a standard file format that
allowed CAD data to be interchanged between all CAD programs.  That
seems like a very user oriented concept.  However, the DXF "standard"
was anything but a standard.  It was extremely problematic when I tried
to use it.  AutoCAD competitors inevitably had data import menus that
listed six different versions of the DXF "standard" depending on which
version of AutoCAD exported the DXF, and very often, none of them would
work.  The numerous versions of DXF files also made it very difficult
for CAD developers to know which version to use for exporting.  When I
last looked a dozen years ago, I think the other companies had finally
standardized on one version of the DXF "standard" to use, but there was
still some lingering confusion.  To this day, LibreCAD can export to DXF
R12, DXF R14, DXF 2000, DXF 2004, and DXF 2007.  I can only assume that
AutoDesk loves standards because they created so many of them.   :-/

It could be argued that a bad industry standard from the dominant
manufacturer greatly delayed the development of a true industry standard
for CAD data and hindered data exchange to protect market share.

In order to ensure compatibility, most commercial CAD manufacturers were
forced to give up and pay AutoDesk to license the proprietary DWG
format.  That wasn't an option for open source software because it's
free as in "free beer" so there wasn't money to pay AutoDesk, and it's
free as in "free speech" so it couldn't incorporate licensed proprietary
software.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AutoCAD_DXF

/"As AutoCAD has become more powerful, supporting more complex
object types, DXF has become less useful. Certain object types,
including //ACIS//solids and regions, are not documented. Other
object types, including AutoCAD 2006's dynamic blocks, and all of
the objects specific to the //vertical market//versions of AutoCAD,
are partially documented, but not well enough to allow other
developers to support them. For these reasons many CAD applications
use the //DWG//format which can be licensed from //Autodesk//or
non-natively from the //Open Design Alliance//." /

Microsoft has engaged in similar proprietary data strategies.  Every
year or two, there would be a new version of Word, and it would read
files from the last version or two, but no others.  Toward the end,
there was only the pretense of new features in their mature word
processing and spreadsheet products.  The "upgrades" were nothing but
designed inoperability to force the market to buy new software as soon
as customers could no longer exchange files.  Meanwhile, LibreOffice
Writer and LibreOffice Calc can import every version of Open Document
file ever used.  100% backward compatibility, without the need to try
different import filters.

I have no problem paying for commercial software that makes my life
easier, but I don't like being forced to buy software that makes my life
more difficult by deliberately rendering my data useless to me unless I
pay their annual extortion fees.



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Re: [Emc-users] Fusion 360

[Chris Albertson]

On Sat, Mar 23, 2019 at 10:56 AM Gene Heskett  wrote:

>
> I've downloaded that latest freecad-0.17, but its 64 bit and this is a 32
> bit install, so the best thing I might try is to go fire up a rock64,
> which is stretch on arm64 with 4 gb of dram, 60 GB of SSD and see how it
> works there.
>

Is their AppImage file compiled for ARM? I think it's for Intel X86.   You
would need to compile from source.Ihave doubts that any modern
3D system would run fast enogh on one of those little single board
computers.  Try it ona modern PC first.

-- 

Chris Albertson
Redondo Beach, California

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Re: [Emc-users] Fusion 360

[Chris Albertson]

ere not
> inconsiderable, so I left that alone.
>
> I think that as far as CAD/CAM programs go, you get what you pay for.
> Or maybe the capability of Inventor has spoiled me.
> The free licence for Fusion360 has to be a real bargain, for as long
> as it lasts.
>
> Marcus
>
> - Original Message -
> From: "Enhanced Machine Controller (EMC)" @lists.sourceforge.net>
> To:"Enhanced Machine Controller (EMC)"
> 
> Cc:
> Sent:Fri, 22 Mar 2019 22:38:35 -0400
> Subject:Re: [Emc-users] Fusion 360
>
>  On Fri, Mar 22, 2019, 22:32 Jon Elson  wrote:
>
>  > On 03/22/2019 04:14 PM, Jeff Johnson wrote:
>  > > Anyone on here have opinions on Fusion 360 Cad/Cam by Autodesk?
>  > >
>  > >
>  > We just got set up with Autocad Inventor at work. While
>  > very capable, and it has lots of good CAM strategies, it is
>  > SO COMPLICATED! We have one guy here who got good with it,
>  > so I let my meager skills lapse, and now I barely know how
>  > to view a document.
>  >
>  > I think Fusion is a very similar program.
>  >
>  > Jon
>  >
>
>  The Lars Christensen Fusion 360 videos on YouTube are very good. Lars
>  works for Autodesk.
>
>  Dave
>
>  >
>  >
>  > ___
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>  > Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net
>  > https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
>  >
>
>  ___
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>
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-- 

Chris Albertson
Redondo Beach, California

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Re: [Emc-users] Fusion 360

[Gene Heskett]

On Saturday 23 March 2019 12:03:19 Les Newell wrote:

> With CAM you need to develop a different mind set. You are now
> programming with your drawing and CAM setup, not G-code. The G-code
> the becomes purely a way for the CAM to talk to your machine. It
> doesn't matter if you have 10 lines or 1 lines. You can in theory
> do your drawings by directly writing DXF files. They are a human
> readable text format. However very few people do it that way. You have
> treat G-code in the same way. As long as the CAM is reasonably
> competent you can pretty much forget about the code.
>
> The majority of SheetCam users have only a vague idea what g-code is
> and certainly couldn't do much programming with it.
>
> Les
>
Wrong Les, my mistake as I was replying to Lester Caine. :)

But I think that last line about sheetcam users is a shame. gcode is 
where the cutter meets the cutted, and you can't get much closer than 
that.

OTOH, the higher level stuff lets you concentrate more on the artistic 
aspects as the math is being done for you, so I imagine it balances out, 
possibly in favor of the artistry when looking at the accounts 
receivable if the design package allows that. I get the impression there 
isn't room in some packages for the artistry of what the composer is 
seeing in his head.

At some point the expenditure of the composing machines cpu cycles 
becomes less important than the wall time. Particularly so if the wall 
time is reduced enough to pay for the license.

I've downloaded that latest freecad-0.17, but its 64 bit and this is a 32 
bit install, so the best thing I might try is to go fire up a rock64, 
which is stretch on arm64 with 4 gb of dram, 60 GB of SSD and see how it 
works there.

That might take a trip to wallies for some net cable, as that cable is 
now hooked to the old HF mills computer, and a shorter cable would reach 
it from the garages switch just fine.

I found the learning curve pretty vertical the last time I tried .14 on 
this machine, and combined with a lack of stability, nuked it as not 
being worth the effort to learn. Probably mostly my fault, old dogs, new 
tricks syndrome at its worst. But I can't seem to get away from the fact 
that this wet ram /is/ 84 years old, and has survived a couple attempts 
to get shut down now, each of which has had its cost.

Thanks Les Newell

Cheers, Gene Heskett
-- 
"There are four boxes to be used in defense of liberty:
 soap, ballot, jury, and ammo. Please use in that order."
-Ed Howdershelt (Author)
Genes Web page 



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Re: [Emc-users] Fusion 360

[Greg Bernard]

As an Autocad user for 25 years, I can say the issue of file formats not
being backward compatible is really not a significant problem. All Autocad
versions have the option of saving the file in an older .dwg or .dxf
format. There may be some minor problems with formatting of dimensions,
etc. but when they do occur it's usually not a big deal to correct them.
Now that I'm retired and no longer have access to  Autocad I'm using
Draftsight for all of my 2d work which is practically indistinguishable
from Autocad with the advantage of being free and running on Linux.


On Fri, Mar 22, 2019 at 9:37 PM Jon Elson  wrote:

> On 03/22/2019 05:46 PM, Bruce Layne wrote:
> >AutoDesk had done that to me before.  They sold me on
> > AutoSketch which, as an electrical engineer was all of the mechanical
> > CAD software I'd need.  Then they discontinued AutoSketch at the moment
> > that I learned enough to be productive and unilaterally converted my
> > license to an AutoCAD Lite license.  AutoCAD Lite required a completely
> > new learning curve, so I was forced to start over.
> And, this is why I will NEVER trust Autocad!  They've done
> this several times over the years, as well as making sure
> that documents created today cannot be read on last year's
> version of the software.  That REALLY bugs me!
>
> Jon
>
>
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-- 
"Anyone who believes exponential growth can go on forever in a finite world
is either a madman or an economist."
-Kenneth Boulding, economist
Corporations are NOT people and money is NOT speech!

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Re: [Emc-users] Fusion 360

[Les Newell]

With CAM you need to develop a different mind set. You are now 
programming with your drawing and CAM setup, not G-code. The G-code the 
becomes purely a way for the CAM to talk to your machine. It doesn't 
matter if you have 10 lines or 1 lines. You can in theory do your 
drawings by directly writing DXF files. They are a human readable text 
format. However very few people do it that way. You have treat G-code in 
the same way. As long as the CAM is reasonably competent you can pretty 
much forget about the code.


The majority of SheetCam users have only a vague idea what g-code is and 
certainly couldn't do much programming with it.


Les



One thing I've noted in compareing code generator outputs to the hand
coded stuff I write is that generated stuff never uses a subroutine but
unrolls a 150 line file into 600,000 lines. And that makes finding and
correcting something virtually a start from scratch operation. Not at
all efficient IMO. It all depends on how one thinks about code flow,
basicly what works for the individual coder. Will gcode generators ever
get that smart? Doubtfull, until it also has a lot of so far very time
squandering AI. But so as I know, no one has succeeded in downloading a
brain into a computer.

I'd much rather write a subroutine to drill a hole, and use it for every
hole in a part by changing the parameters passed to that subroutine.

Your own lathe encoder disk is a good example of applying that
discipline, I've made liberal use of that code with my own mods.  Thank
you very much.

Take care Les.

Cheers, Gene Heskett





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Re: [Emc-users] Fusion 360

[andy pugh]

On Sat, 23 Mar 2019 at 14:58, Tom Easterday  wrote:

> Yes, the no, low cost license could change (though Autodesk has repeatedly 
> said it won’t) and you’d have a lot of work into
> Fusion which you’d have to convert, but this is true with any package.  
> Alibre/Geomagic was on the brink of obliteration and
>  only recovered because some past employees realized there was value about to 
> be lost.  I had a ton of work there.

I used to use Alibre (quite a while ago). I was using a free version,
and they withdrew that license, leaving me with no way to
access my models. So it definitely can happen.
That was when I switched to Inventor,  having found that I could get a
free home license because I have a licence at work.

-- 
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Re: [Emc-users] Fusion 360

[Gene Heskett]

On Saturday 23 March 2019 10:12:53 Lester Caine wrote:

> On 23/03/2019 13:59, Gene Heskett wrote:
> > How are you getting the gcode? Its not yet listed as an export
> > option.
>
> The path workdesk has a process much like sorting out paths on
> Vcarve/Cut2D once you have set up a job to build and sorted out
> cutters. But while I know one can select and view each set of gcode I
> forget quite how I got it onto the memory stick. And I need to
> remember as I need to get some DMSuper cases machined and need to
> change the hole for the mains connector :( The old mains assembly is
> no longer available.

Luverly. Good thing I'm not a job shop. One thing nice about LCNC, 
clicking on that connectors first move in the backplot, highlights the 
code line, making it easy to see where in a mass of code, that connector 
exists. If its nothing but the hole size, a hand edit might be all thats 
needed. But you knew that. :)  Sure helps to find that birch tree in a 
forest of pines for me though.

One thing I've noted in compareing code generator outputs to the hand 
coded stuff I write is that generated stuff never uses a subroutine but 
unrolls a 150 line file into 600,000 lines. And that makes finding and 
correcting something virtually a start from scratch operation. Not at 
all efficient IMO. It all depends on how one thinks about code flow, 
basicly what works for the individual coder. Will gcode generators ever 
get that smart? Doubtfull, until it also has a lot of so far very time 
squandering AI. But so as I know, no one has succeeded in downloading a 
brain into a computer.

I'd much rather write a subroutine to drill a hole, and use it for every 
hole in a part by changing the parameters passed to that subroutine.

Your own lathe encoder disk is a good example of applying that 
discipline, I've made liberal use of that code with my own mods.  Thank 
you very much.

Take care Les.

Cheers, Gene Heskett
-- 
"There are four boxes to be used in defense of liberty:
 soap, ballot, jury, and ammo. Please use in that order."
-Ed Howdershelt (Author)
Genes Web page 



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Re: [Emc-users] Fusion 360

[Tom Easterday]

I have been running Fusion 360 for several years now.  Before that I used 
Alibre Design/Geomagic (I still own but rarely use Alibre).  I have hundreds of 
models, drawings and complex assemblies in Fusion 360.  I have used SolidWorks 
as well as a couple other CAD packages in years past.  Fusion 360 is very 
similar to Alibre and SolidWorks and others.  If you are comfortable in one of 
those the learning curve is minimal.  Yes, menus and tools are in different 
places but overall the concepts and tools are very similar.  

Fusion 360 also allows for a very flexible design philosophy unlike other 
packages that have a strict model of design.  You can build top down assemblies 
in Fusion where you begin building each part as part of the entire assembly.  
This is very powerful.  But,  if you want to build individual parts and 
assemble them later you can do that too.  I have both types of builds in my 
workspace.  Other CAD software it not this flexible making you adhere to a 
strict bottom up design methodology.  

I realize that some people are morally opposed to cloud based software.  I 
respect that opinion and if that is your bottom line Fusion 360 may not be for 
you.  But, as cloud based software goes Fusion 360 is the least “cloud based” 
cloud based software.  The Fusion 360 application runs on your local cpu, not 
in the cloud, so you can use it even if you don’t have a connection to the 
internet for a period of time.  You can also save your designs locally on your 
hard drive.

The CAM and FEA built into Fusion is what initially sold me on it.  It has very 
powerful CAM and FEA features built in.  The CAM is a subset of HSM Works CAM 
which Autodesk purchased a number of years ago.  It also has surface modeling 
as well as sheet metal (fairly new).

Fusion 360 isn’t perfect.  There are many things missing that I wish it had.  I 
wish Autodesk was faster at implementing features.  There is a large user base 
and it is actively developed so things do get done eventually. There are a huge 
number of free tutorials on YouTube and an active forum with advanced users and 
Autodesk employees answering questions so anything you ask will likely be 
answered in a day or so.   Yes, the no, low cost license could change (though 
Autodesk has repeatedly said it won’t) and you’d have a lot of work into Fusion 
which you’d have to convert, but this is true with any package.  
Alibre/Geomagic was on the brink of obliteration and only recovered because 
some past employees realized there was value about to be lost.  I had a ton of 
work there.  I was successful in converting my important work in Alibre over to 
Fusion 360 as it looked more and more likely that Geomagic was about to die.   
This is part of the reason I have all but abandoned Alibre.   I paid Alibre 
$1200 for the software and $400/yr for several years and what security did that 
buy me?  None.

Someone wrote:
> I have no interest in AutoDesk's proprietary Fusion 360 file format that
> uses the files that I create to hold me hostage.  I have even less
> interest in sharing my data on their cloud.

All CAD programs use a proprietary file format.  All of them.  If you are “held 
hostage” by Autodesk then so you are by SolidWorks, Alibre, Creo, etc etc.  The 
better ones (including Fusion 360) have good file conversion utilities that let 
you save your designs out in other formats, both standard (step, iges, dxf) and 
proprietary (sldprt, etc).  I have sent both SolidWorks and Step conversions of 
my Fusion 360 models to my customers who have had no issue importing and using 
them.

Also, your data saved on Autodesk servers is not “shared” unless you want it to 
be.  

Fusion 360 is by far the best value out there in the cad/cam world.  You can 
get a no cost startup license, seems like a no brainer to try it out, IMHO.

Sorry for the long post, I didn’t start out to write this much... I do not work 
for Autodesk or affiliates, I’m just a (mostly) satisfied user.
-Tom




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Re: [Emc-users] Fusion 360

[Lester Caine]

On 23/03/2019 13:59, Gene Heskett wrote:

How are you getting the gcode? Its not yet listed as an export option.
The path workdesk has a process much like sorting out paths on 
Vcarve/Cut2D once you have set up a job to build and sorted out cutters. 
But while I know one can select and view each set of gcode I forget 
quite how I got it onto the memory stick. And I need to remember as I 
need to get some DMSuper cases machined and need to change the hole for 
the mains connector :( The old mains assembly is no longer available.


--
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Re: [Emc-users] Fusion 360

[Gene Heskett]

On Saturday 23 March 2019 04:21:22 Lester Caine wrote:

> On 23/03/2019 02:56, Gene Heskett wrote:
> > On Friday 22 March 2019 18:52:54 Lester Caine wrote:
> >> On 22/03/2019 22:46, Bruce Layne wrote:
> >>> I use FreeCAD, mostly for 3D printing.  It's still not ready for
> >>> prime time and doesn't have a usable CAM system so it's not a
> >>> possible replacement for Fusion 360, but it's a viable CAD option
> >>> for me when Fusion 360 isn't.
> >>
> >> Sorry I have to disagree with that ... I'm running perfectly good
> >> gcode for the Taig mill from FreeCAD. Yes for 3D printing one of
> >> the other slicer options is required, but for 2.5D machining it
> >> works well enough and is improving all the time.

How are you getting the gcode? Its not yet listed as an export option.

> > If its being improved Lester, why has the downloadable been stuck at
> > version .14 for several years? I take it back, the last 32 bit
> > release that will run on the wheezy LiveCD install is .14, but I see
> > .17 is available for 64 bit installs now. So you have to reboot to a
> > 64 bit install to use it.  Is it worth setting up a dual boot?
>
> Actually I'm running 0.17 on the main linux desktop as the SUSE
> experimental load of 0.18 screws up other CAD and graphics related
> stuff on Leap15.0. 0.18 is running on my windows machine with Vcarve
> and TurboCAD and installed without a problem. I dropped KiCAD onto the
> windows machine as well so I could play with the recent 'paid for' job
> and while not totally smooth, I had models of the folded sheet metal
> around the PCB along with a flattened out version for the laser ...
> but it ended up being punched out on a CNC punch ... so I did not see
> the gcode for that. The final box was perfect.
>
> My next job is to get the 3D printer hooked up to the BBB/CRAMPS board
> and MachineKit driving it. Although I may get the lathe finally hooked
> up first since the the proprietary control does work. Just can't add
> bed levelling to it :(

Thats a bummer. I'm doing a "make do" version of that on my old Sheldon. 
What little uneven wear there is, which has the effect of tilting the 
carriage to/from the center axis, I've measured and put into a screw 
comp file that profiles the error into the x axis.  Seems to work ok, 
but the max correction is less than 3 thou.

Some right at the mouth of the spindle isn't wear, but the carriage being 
pushed slightly out of square by the force the left hand bellows over 
the screw exerts on the carriage when its being seriously crushed.  But 
thats effectively inside the chucks. That 1450mm Z screw should have 
been 1500mm with 40mm of that used to move the left thrust bearing to 
the left.  Hindsight, always 20-05...  The fix now?  Would be tapered 
gibs on both front and rear of the carriage.  But that would be quite a 
chore at this stage.  It sure made a whole new lathe out of TLM though.

One thing I did on the Sheldon that I couldn't do on TLM, was to seal up 
the X screw to keep swarf out of its nut. But with the motor on the rear 
of the carriage on TLM, theres no room for an effective cover to 
telescope, so I've crushed 3 attempts to make one so far. The Sheldon X 
motor is on the front, and the taper adapter's crossfeed extension stuff 
makes sealing that area up a piece of cake. I inlet a piece of 1/8" alu 
paneling to cover the slot above the screw, and similarly covered the 
bottom so an errant air hose blast can't get to it. Even had the back of 
the carriage covered for a while.

X backlash got hugely gross a few weeks back and I thoought I was going 
to have to tear it down again to get at the x clamping nut screws, but 
it turned out the drive pulley was slipping on the shaft. Tightened the 
setscrews till the wrench screamed again, and gave it a coat of green 
locktite at the pulley/shaft joint, back to about a thou. :)

The problem with the pi turned out to a a badly mis-configure G76, giving 
about 50,000 passes, so the poor pi was plumb out of swap trying to 
render the backplot.  Fixed that, pi back to normal for the pi.

However, that threading job disclosed that G76 needs one more parameter. 
Due to the length vs diameter of this 10-24 thread, G76 needs an 
additional parameter to cause it to cut a couple thou deeper at the 
right end. Because of the cutting force, it cuts the right, unsupported 
end of the thread larger than at the left end, very very noticeable when 
attempting to get a good fit of stylus into the threads in the plastic 
face of this cheap probe.

It is possible to cheat by makeing the left end withdraw movement over 
one turn less than the length of the thread, you can make a nice 40 thou 
taper over 5/8" that way, but I haven't tried it for this small a taper.

I have made intentional tapers that way on TLM. Very successfully, that 
is whats driving the X screw in the Sheldon. By making a socket on the 
rear of the new shaft I put in the X hand crank, with the socket area 
being tapered to 

Re: [Emc-users] Fusion 360

[Jeff Johnson]

The free cad cam options just don't seem to work for us, Clunky is what
comes to mind plus no ability to handle other formats. I do admire the
people that can 
Live in that realm. I have a crew of 10-12 guy's and getting everyone on the
same page is tough as they all have opinions.
Retro-fitted 4 machines to LinuxCNC and four years later they make parts
everyday but there is still a stigma of free
And homebrewed that hangs over the controls, especially with new guys. I
should mention I just had a Retro-fit of a 
Deckle Maho DMU 80P, had MS-Tech come in and hang their control on it. It's
not Fanuc, Fagor, Heidenhain or ProtoTrak and I am sure it will
carry the same stigma. 
 
Back to fusion should clarify that I am a job shop and we have to open
customer drawings and prints in many different formats.
Life may or may not be easier if we were only working on our own files
making and controlling every process 
>From design to manufacture. The other thing, is I need at least three seats
of Cad and at least two seats of Cam.

The cost of Fusion at $495 a seat looks pretty good to me balanced against
the maintenance fees I am already paying
2 seats of Alibre (for making drawings from Customer Solids)
1 seat of Visual Cam (3D mill work)
3 seats ProgeCad (is a bargain, great Autocad clone in my opinion) no
maintenance fees just buy seats.
3 seats of ShopCam (very reasonable and great for turning and 2d milling)

Knowing I can save back-ups locally may be the answer. Will I be held
hostage? Maybe, but
there is the possibility that I can migrate to one system over time. My real
needs are the ability
to make and open 2D drawings as well as solids and generate trouble free
tool paths. 

Jeff Johnson
john...@superiorroll.com
Superior Roll & Turning
734-279-1831


One comment.The Fusion 360 files to not "hold you hostage" I routinely
same my work in *.STEP file format  Fusion can use any of about a half
dozen industry standard files formats.   And can read and write the native
format of it's competitors.   DOn't work abut file formats.   Fusion is a
good tol to use to convert from one file type to another.  Plans are in
the works to allow Fusion to natively edit competitor's files with no
conversion needed

Yes, I keep the backup design files on my own computer and I do like to
keep the backups in at least two different file formats.  I keep my work
saved to both Fusiion's format and *.STEP


Fusion is about the ONLY reasonably priced (free) option if your product
looks like this:   Below is from a Fusion tutorial where they show you how
to make the yellow plastic shell and grey rubber over-mold and the
mechanical parts that turn the motor's rotary motion to back and forth saw
motion and also how to make a simulation and animated video of the moving
parts.

You are NOT going to make a saw like this in FreeCAD or and you are NOT
going to hand code the g-code files.
Yes you can actually build stuff like this saw in a home shop.What I
want is a robot vacuum cleaner that can do stairs
all by itself at night.The hard part is no longer the mechanics,  It is
the motion planning software.

[image: sawzall-v19-v13-v6-3500-3500.jpg]



On Fri, Mar 22, 2019 at 3:54 PM Lester Caine  wrote:
-- 

Chris Albertson
Redondo Beach, California
-- next part --
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
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Re: [Emc-users] Fusion 360

[andy pugh]

On Sat, 23 Mar 2019 at 08:13,  wrote:

> I am still using Inventor 2011. Yes; it took a while to get to grips
> with it, but it's very capable. I have 2014 but have never installed
> it (always seem to be waiting for a newer computer). Inventor has
> become Fusion 360 now, so there seems little point in upgrading
> Inventor itself.

I think you are wrong on both counts here :-)

Inventor continues as a product alongside Inventor. And Inventor is
far more capable where large assembles are concerned.

If you upgraded to 2014 I think that you would find that CAM is available:
https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/inventor-products/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/When-downloading-Inventor-HSM-Pro-2015-plug-in-the-2016-version-downloads-instead.html

-- 
atp
"A motorcycle is a bicycle with a pandemonium attachment and is
designed for the especial use of mechanical geniuses, daredevils and
lunatics."
— George Fitch, Atlanta Constitution Newspaper, 1916


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Re: [Emc-users] Fusion 360

[andy pugh]

On Fri, 22 Mar 2019 at 22:48, Bruce Layne  wrote:

> If there was no FreeCAD, I'd use OpenSCAD long before I'd use Fusion
> 360.  Free Open Source Software for the win.

I admire your principles, and agree in theory.

But I already know Inventor and Fusion and know that they can do what
I need, and that I can make them do what I need.
From where I am now I just don't have that confidence in the FOSS
offerings to invest the time to learn them.

The CAM in Fusion is orders of magnitude better than the others I have
tried (PyCAM, MeshCAM, SheetCAM[1]) which adds to the lack of
enthusiasm to switch.

And, again, if I was paying money for CAD/CAM and making money from
CAD/CAM then the calculations might be different.

[1] If I was running a Plasma or laser I would use SheetCAM, but it
isn't even trying to compete with Fusion at 3D and multi-axis.

-- 
atp
"A motorcycle is a bicycle with a pandemonium attachment and is
designed for the especial use of mechanical geniuses, daredevils and
lunatics."
— George Fitch, Atlanta Constitution Newspaper, 1916


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Re: [Emc-users] Fusion 360

[Lester Caine]

On 23/03/2019 02:56, Gene Heskett wrote:

On Friday 22 March 2019 18:52:54 Lester Caine wrote:


On 22/03/2019 22:46, Bruce Layne wrote:

I use FreeCAD, mostly for 3D printing.  It's still not ready for
prime time and doesn't have a usable CAM system so it's not a
possible replacement for Fusion 360, but it's a viable CAD option
for me when Fusion 360 isn't.


Sorry I have to disagree with that ... I'm running perfectly good
gcode for the Taig mill from FreeCAD. Yes for 3D printing one of the
other slicer options is required, but for 2.5D machining it works well
enough and is improving all the time.


If its being improved Lester, why has the downloadable been stuck at
version .14 for several years? I take it back, the last 32 bit release
that will run on the wheezy LiveCD install is .14, but I see .17 is
available for 64 bit installs now. So you have to reboot to a 64 bit
install to use it.  Is it worth setting up a dual boot?


Actually I'm running 0.17 on the main linux desktop as the SUSE 
experimental load of 0.18 screws up other CAD and graphics related stuff 
on Leap15.0. 0.18 is running on my windows machine with Vcarve and 
TurboCAD and installed without a problem. I dropped KiCAD onto the 
windows machine as well so I could play with the recent 'paid for' job 
and while not totally smooth, I had models of the folded sheet metal 
around the PCB along with a flattened out version for the laser ... but 
it ended up being punched out on a CNC punch ... so I did not see the 
gcode for that. The final box was perfect.


My next job is to get the 3D printer hooked up to the BBB/CRAMPS board 
and MachineKit driving it. Although I may get the lathe finally hooked 
up first since the the proprietary control does work. Just can't add bed 
levelling to it :(


--
Lester Caine - G8HFL
-
Contact - https://lsces.co.uk/wiki/?page=contact
L.S.Caine Electronic Services - https://lsces.co.uk
EnquirySolve - https://enquirysolve.com/
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Re: [Emc-users] Fusion 360

[marcus . bowman]

I am still using Inventor 2011. Yes; it took a while to get to grips
with it, but it's very capable. I have 2014 but have never installed
it (always seem to be waiting for a newer computer). Inventor has
become Fusion 360 now, so there seems little point in upgrading
Inventor itself. There is no CAM element to Inventor 2011, so models
are exported as STEP files, then imported into Vectric's  VCarve Pro
if they are to be milled, or Repetier if they are to be 3D printed.

 I think any capable 3D CAD/CAM program will take a bit of learning,
and for me the big step was learning to think in 3D. I have found the
process requires me to think more about how to manufacture the object,
than simply to draw it. The most challenging part has been learning
how to create objects with complex angles between different planes,
which I need for drawing large moulding tools.Strangely, although I
know how to do classic pencil-and-paper technical drawing, I found
AutoCAD quite frustrating to use, and 3D drawing much more liberating
once I got going. Inventor is based on the AutoCAD engine, but you
would never know it from using Inventor.

I have tried many of the free programs, but they vary too much in both
approach to the task and in real capability to make much impression on
me. If I can't get my head around how the programmer thinks about 3D
objects, I find it difficult to use the program. TinkerCAD for 3D
printing is a classic example. I have a friend nearby who creates all
manner of things in TinkerCAD. I can barely draw a square with a hole
in the middle, because I don't think about 3D objects in the same way
as the programmer did when creating the interface. That's strange,
because TinkerCAD is based on the  Inventor engine (which, like the
Russian dolls, is based on AutoCAD...).
As an aside, my final year project at University, a very long time
ago, was creating a program to produce a drawing of interpenetrating
pipes, and a layout drawing for heavy steel sheet to be cut then
rolled into pipes for oil rig legs. The others in my yeargroup were
working on other aspects of drawing on a computer; all of which was
new in those early days. It was all based on a mathematical approach
to classic 2D drawing techniques. So its a source of joy and wonder to
me that we have such capable 3D  CAD/CAM software nowadays. It makes
workshop life so much more interesting.
One other aspect from those early days, was a procedure for generating
two photos of a drawing on a flat monitor screen. The camera took two
photos simultaneously but from two different angles, 5 degrees apart.
The resultant images were loaded into a ViewMaster type of slide
projector, and produced a 3D image of the object. Where are you now,
Occulus??? That was in 1974.

I signed up for Fusion360 (free version) a long time ago, but need  a
decent  64-bit machine to be able to run it, so that will have to
wait.

I also signed up for OnShape, but that would not run on my Mac or on
any of my (slightly older) PCs. I don't know anyone who is using that
software, and my impression is that their 'free' business model didn't
last terribly long.

I tried SolidWorks a long time ago, and went to a demo/workshop
session. I could understand how to use the program (based on my
experience with Inventor) but the licence was way more expensive than
a full-price Inventor licence, and the ongoing costs were not
inconsiderable, so I left that alone.

I think that as far as CAD/CAM programs go, you get what you pay for.
Or maybe the capability of Inventor has spoiled me.
The free licence for Fusion360 has to be a real bargain, for as long
as it lasts.

Marcus

- Original Message -
From: "Enhanced Machine Controller (EMC)" @lists.sourceforge.net>
To:"Enhanced Machine Controller (EMC)"

Cc:
Sent:Fri, 22 Mar 2019 22:38:35 -0400
Subject:Re: [Emc-users] Fusion 360

 On Fri, Mar 22, 2019, 22:32 Jon Elson  wrote:

 > On 03/22/2019 04:14 PM, Jeff Johnson wrote:
 > > Anyone on here have opinions on Fusion 360 Cad/Cam by Autodesk?
 > >
 > >
 > We just got set up with Autocad Inventor at work. While
 > very capable, and it has lots of good CAM strategies, it is
 > SO COMPLICATED! We have one guy here who got good with it,
 > so I let my meager skills lapse, and now I barely know how
 > to view a document.
 >
 > I think Fusion is a very similar program.
 >
 > Jon
 >

 The Lars Christensen Fusion 360 videos on YouTube are very good. Lars
 works for Autodesk.

 Dave

 >
 >
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 >

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Re: [Emc-users] Fusion 360

[Gene Heskett]

On Friday 22 March 2019 18:52:54 Lester Caine wrote:

> On 22/03/2019 22:46, Bruce Layne wrote:
> > I use FreeCAD, mostly for 3D printing.  It's still not ready for
> > prime time and doesn't have a usable CAM system so it's not a
> > possible replacement for Fusion 360, but it's a viable CAD option
> > for me when Fusion 360 isn't.
>
> Sorry I have to disagree with that ... I'm running perfectly good
> gcode for the Taig mill from FreeCAD. Yes for 3D printing one of the
> other slicer options is required, but for 2.5D machining it works well
> enough and is improving all the time.

If its being improved Lester, why has the downloadable been stuck at 
version .14 for several years? I take it back, the last 32 bit release 
that will run on the wheezy LiveCD install is .14, but I see .17 is 
available for 64 bit installs now. So you have to reboot to a 64 bit 
install to use it.  Is it worth setting up a dual boot?


Cheers, Gene Heskett
-- 
"There are four boxes to be used in defense of liberty:
 soap, ballot, jury, and ammo. Please use in that order."
-Ed Howdershelt (Author)
Genes Web page 



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Re: [Emc-users] Fusion 360

[Gene Heskett]

On Friday 22 March 2019 18:46:41 Bruce Layne wrote:

> Being an unrepentant capitalist, I must admit that commercial software
> has much to recommend it.  There is money to pay programmers to
> develop stable and feature rich software, and market forces keep the
> product customer focused so the market gets the features that
> customers want. When Fusion 360 launched, I signed up on the AutoDesk
> forum to ask for a native Linux version.  The AutoDesk administrator
> told me that despite not being too much effort given the cross
> platform development tools they use to make the Windows and Mac
> version, there would never be a Linux version because Linux users
> won't pay for software.  That was an odd thing to tell me, given that
> I had long ago paid $1250 for Eagle electronic CAD software,
> specifically because they offered a very good native Linux version,
> and I paid annual maintenance fees for years after the initial
> "purchase."  Do we ever really own software?
>
> I wasn't impressed with the AutoDesk attitude, which was slightly less
> offensive than Microsoft's "Linux is cancer" public statement on open
> source software.
>
> Part of me was relieved.  Even though I wouldn't have the advantage of
> the rich features and rising industry standard that Fusion 360
> represented, I wouldn't be setting myself up for another proprietary
> software ambush.  AutoDesk had done that to me before.  They sold me
> on AutoSketch which, as an electrical engineer was all of the
> mechanical CAD software I'd need.  Then they discontinued AutoSketch
> at the moment that I learned enough to be productive and unilaterally
> converted my license to an AutoCAD Lite license.  AutoCAD Lite
> required a completely new learning curve, so I was forced to start
> over.  They charged me the higher AutoCAD Lite maintenance fees while
> constantly nagging me to upgrade to the complicated and expensive full
> blown AutoCAD that I didn't want or need.  None of the drawings that I
> created in AutoSketch could be used.  There was no import or
> conversion to AutoCAD Lite.  The hundreds of hours I spent in
> AutoSketch was a completely wasted effort. I got the impression that
> AutoDesk viewed their entry level products as marketing tools to hook
> new users so they could be up sold on their more expensive CAD
> software.  It was a marketing approach that was not customer oriented.
>
> At the time, AutoCAD was still a 2D CAD package, but they had tacked
> on some kludge 3D features.  Meanwhile, smaller and leaner software
> companies had introduced true 3D CAD.  Many still exist but SolidWorks
> emerged as the big winner.  AutoDesk was suddenly at the back of the
> pack and disappeared in the rear view mirror for a few years.  Fusion
> 360 is their attempt to recapture the market they lost through
> complacency.  I can't help but feel that once AutoDesk has herded the
> majority of the CAD market back into a near AutoDesk monopoly, they'll
> start putting the screws to the users again.
>
> I have no interest in AutoDesk's proprietary Fusion 360 file format
> that uses the files that I create to hold me hostage.  I have even
> less interest in sharing my data on their cloud.
>
> I use FreeCAD, mostly for 3D printing.  It's still not ready for prime
> time and doesn't have a usable CAM system so it's not a possible
> replacement for Fusion 360, but it's a viable CAD option for me when
> Fusion 360 isn't.
>
> If there was no FreeCAD, I'd use OpenSCAD long before I'd use Fusion
> 360.  Free Open Source Software for the win.  I wish there was some
> effective method to leverage the advantages of commercial software and
> FOSS.  I'd like to be able to pool my financial donations with those
> of other users to encourage open source software developers to
> implement new features.

We freebies need a lot more of that attitude. Sure, free is nice but one 
should never forget TANSTAAFL. AKA somebody has to buy lunch.  Or a 
bunch of somebody's take up a collection to make the coders mortgage 
payments.  Can it be made to work? Maybe, but its us that have to change 
our attitude to make it work.
>
> On 3/22/2019 5:14 PM, Jeff Johnson wrote:
> > Anyone on here have opinions on Fusion 360 Cad/Cam by Autodesk?
> >
> > Using  ShopCam for simple 2.5D work, VisualCam for 3 or more axis
> > work, using Alibre Cad for 3D Drwaing and creation as well as
> > ProgeCad for 2D Drawings.
> >
> > With this combo there is not much we can't handle but maintenance
> > agreements
> > and updates do get cumbersome.
> >
> >  
> > I am worried about moving to the cloud based system but I guess it's
> > the future.
> >
> >  
> > What are this groups thoughts if any?
> >
> >  
> > Jeff Johnson
> >
> > john...@superiorroll.com
> >
> > Superior Roll & Turning
> >
> > 734-279-1831
> >  
>
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Cheers, Gene 

Re: [Emc-users] Fusion 360

[Dave Matthews]

On Fri, Mar 22, 2019, 22:32 Jon Elson  wrote:

> On 03/22/2019 04:14 PM, Jeff Johnson wrote:
> > Anyone on here have opinions on Fusion 360 Cad/Cam by Autodesk?
> >
> >
> We just got set up with Autocad Inventor at work.  While
> very capable, and it has lots of good CAM strategies, it is
> SO COMPLICATED!  We have one guy here who got good with it,
> so I let my meager skills lapse, and now I barely know how
> to view a document.
>
> I think Fusion is a very similar program.
>
> Jon
>

The Lars Christensen Fusion 360 videos on YouTube are very good.  Lars
works for Autodesk.

Dave

>
>
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Re: [Emc-users] Fusion 360

[Jon Elson]

On 03/22/2019 05:46 PM, Bruce Layne wrote:

   AutoDesk had done that to me before.  They sold me on
AutoSketch which, as an electrical engineer was all of the mechanical
CAD software I'd need.  Then they discontinued AutoSketch at the moment
that I learned enough to be productive and unilaterally converted my
license to an AutoCAD Lite license.  AutoCAD Lite required a completely
new learning curve, so I was forced to start over.
And, this is why I will NEVER trust Autocad!  They've done 
this several times over the years, as well as making sure 
that documents created today cannot be read on last year's 
version of the software.  That REALLY bugs me!


Jon


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Re: [Emc-users] Fusion 360

[Jon Elson]

On 03/22/2019 07:42 PM, Lester Caine wrote:

On 22/03/2019 23:28, Bruce Layne wrote:

I'm still running FreeCAD 0.16, which is over a year old


0.18 is available but not released formally and has some 
VERY useful additions,
I tried 0.18 (I think) maybe too soon after release, and 
while the CAD seemed to work fine, the CAM had some problems.


Jon


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Re: [Emc-users] Fusion 360

[Jon Elson]

On 03/22/2019 04:14 PM, Jeff Johnson wrote:

Anyone on here have opinions on Fusion 360 Cad/Cam by Autodesk?


We just got set up with Autocad Inventor at work.  While 
very capable, and it has lots of good CAM strategies, it is 
SO COMPLICATED!  We have one guy here who got good with it, 
so I let my meager skills lapse, and now I barely know how 
to view a document.


I think Fusion is a very similar program.

Jon


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Re: [Emc-users] Fusion 360

[Lester Caine]

On 22/03/2019 23:28, Bruce Layne wrote:

I'm still running FreeCAD 0.16, which is over a year old


0.18 is available but not released formally and has some VERY useful 
additions, but 0.17 has been about for nearly a year and it's Path 
workbench has everything I had on Cut2D plus some ... It's just a pity 
that workbenches are not updated as more functions are added rather than 
waiting for the release of the whole suite. Third party plug-ins are now 
developing faster than the core elements :(


--
Lester Caine - G8HFL
-
Contact - https://lsces.co.uk/wiki/?page=contact
L.S.Caine Electronic Services - https://lsces.co.uk
EnquirySolve - https://enquirysolve.com/
Model Engineers Digital Workshop - https://medw.co.uk
Rainbow Digital Media - https://rainbowdigitalmedia.co.uk


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Re: [Emc-users] Fusion 360

[Lester Caine]

On 22/03/2019 22:46, Bruce Layne wrote:

I use FreeCAD, mostly for 3D printing.  It's still not ready for prime
time and doesn't have a usable CAM system so it's not a possible
replacement for Fusion 360, but it's a viable CAD option for me when
Fusion 360 isn't.


Sorry I have to disagree with that ... I'm running perfectly good gcode 
for the Taig mill from FreeCAD. Yes for 3D printing one of the other 
slicer options is required, but for 2.5D machining it works well enough 
and is improving all the time.


--
Lester Caine - G8HFL
-
Contact - https://lsces.co.uk/wiki/?page=contact
L.S.Caine Electronic Services - https://lsces.co.uk
EnquirySolve - https://enquirysolve.com/
Model Engineers Digital Workshop - https://medw.co.uk
Rainbow Digital Media - https://rainbowdigitalmedia.co.uk


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Re: [Emc-users] Fusion 360

[Bruce Layne]

Being an unrepentant capitalist, I must admit that commercial software
has much to recommend it.  There is money to pay programmers to develop
stable and feature rich software, and market forces keep the product
customer focused so the market gets the features that customers want. 
When Fusion 360 launched, I signed up on the AutoDesk forum to ask for a
native Linux version.  The AutoDesk administrator told me that despite
not being too much effort given the cross platform development tools
they use to make the Windows and Mac version, there would never be a
Linux version because Linux users won't pay for software.  That was an
odd thing to tell me, given that I had long ago paid $1250 for Eagle
electronic CAD software, specifically because they offered a very good
native Linux version, and I paid annual maintenance fees for years after
the initial "purchase."  Do we ever really own software?

I wasn't impressed with the AutoDesk attitude, which was slightly less
offensive than Microsoft's "Linux is cancer" public statement on open
source software.

Part of me was relieved.  Even though I wouldn't have the advantage of
the rich features and rising industry standard that Fusion 360
represented, I wouldn't be setting myself up for another proprietary
software ambush.  AutoDesk had done that to me before.  They sold me on
AutoSketch which, as an electrical engineer was all of the mechanical
CAD software I'd need.  Then they discontinued AutoSketch at the moment
that I learned enough to be productive and unilaterally converted my
license to an AutoCAD Lite license.  AutoCAD Lite required a completely
new learning curve, so I was forced to start over.  They charged me the
higher AutoCAD Lite maintenance fees while constantly nagging me to
upgrade to the complicated and expensive full blown AutoCAD that I
didn't want or need.  None of the drawings that I created in AutoSketch
could be used.  There was no import or conversion to AutoCAD Lite.  The
hundreds of hours I spent in AutoSketch was a completely wasted effort. 
I got the impression that AutoDesk viewed their entry level products as
marketing tools to hook new users so they could be up sold on their more
expensive CAD software.  It was a marketing approach that was not
customer oriented.

At the time, AutoCAD was still a 2D CAD package, but they had tacked on
some kludge 3D features.  Meanwhile, smaller and leaner software
companies had introduced true 3D CAD.  Many still exist but SolidWorks
emerged as the big winner.  AutoDesk was suddenly at the back of the
pack and disappeared in the rear view mirror for a few years.  Fusion
360 is their attempt to recapture the market they lost through
complacency.  I can't help but feel that once AutoDesk has herded the
majority of the CAD market back into a near AutoDesk monopoly, they'll
start putting the screws to the users again.

I have no interest in AutoDesk's proprietary Fusion 360 file format that
uses the files that I create to hold me hostage.  I have even less
interest in sharing my data on their cloud.

I use FreeCAD, mostly for 3D printing.  It's still not ready for prime
time and doesn't have a usable CAM system so it's not a possible
replacement for Fusion 360, but it's a viable CAD option for me when
Fusion 360 isn't.

If there was no FreeCAD, I'd use OpenSCAD long before I'd use Fusion
360.  Free Open Source Software for the win.  I wish there was some
effective method to leverage the advantages of commercial software and
FOSS.  I'd like to be able to pool my financial donations with those of
other users to encourage open source software developers to implement
new features.





On 3/22/2019 5:14 PM, Jeff Johnson wrote:
> Anyone on here have opinions on Fusion 360 Cad/Cam by Autodesk?
>
> Using  ShopCam for simple 2.5D work, VisualCam for 3 or more axis work,
> using Alibre Cad for 3D Drwaing and creation as well as ProgeCad for 2D
> Drawings.
>
> With this combo there is not much we can't handle but maintenance
> agreements
> and updates do get cumbersome.
>
>  
> I am worried about moving to the cloud based system but I guess it's the
> future.
>
>  
> What are this groups thoughts if any?
>
>  
> Jeff Johnson
>
> john...@superiorroll.com
>
> Superior Roll & Turning
>
> 734-279-1831
>  




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Re: [Emc-users] Fusion 360

[Greg Bernard]

I've been using Fusion for almost a year, choosing it over others primarily
because it's free to hobbyists and small commercial users. It is easier to
learn than other packages I've tried and has given me good results for 3d
modeling. As of yet I've not used the CAM portion of the software,
preferring V-carve Pro for the 2-1/2 D work I've been doing thus far. I was
skeptical of the cloud based aspect, but it has not presented any problems.
The software actually does run locally and can be used without an internet
connection for up to 30 days, I believe. Your files are stored in the
"cloud" but can be backed up locally. The advantage of being cloud based is
updates are done continuously and transparently.
If you want to learn more about the product, I would recommend NYC-CNC's
videos. John Saunders runs a small job shop and documents his use of Fusion
36O in well done videos.
https://www.nyccnc.com/

On Fri, Mar 22, 2019 at 4:35 PM Jeff Johnson 
wrote:

> Anyone on here have opinions on Fusion 360 Cad/Cam by Autodesk?
>
> Using  ShopCam for simple 2.5D work, VisualCam for 3 or more axis work,
> using Alibre Cad for 3D Drwaing and creation as well as ProgeCad for 2D
> Drawings.
>
> With this combo there is not much we can't handle but maintenance
> agreements
> and updates do get cumbersome.
>
>
>
> I am worried about moving to the cloud based system but I guess it's the
> future.
>
>
>
> What are this groups thoughts if any?
>
>
>
> Jeff Johnson
>
> john...@superiorroll.com
>
> Superior Roll & Turning
>
> 734-279-1831
>
>
>
>
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-- 
"Anyone who believes exponential growth can go on forever in a finite world
is either a madman or an economist."
-Kenneth Boulding, economist
Corporations are NOT people and money is NOT speech!

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Re: [Emc-users] Fusion 360

[andy pugh]

On Fri, 22 Mar 2019 at 21:35, Jeff Johnson  wrote:

> Anyone on here have opinions on Fusion 360 Cad/Cam by Autodesk?

I use it a fair bit. I actually have an Inventor license, but find
myself using Fusion for a lot of stuff to save booting the Mac into
the Windows VM.
(Also the native Fusion is a lot more snappy than the VM Inventor)

The CAM is very good.

You don't have to keep your models entirely in the cloud, you can save
local backups.

-- 
atp
"A motorcycle is a bicycle with a pandemonium attachment and is
designed for the especial use of mechanical geniuses, daredevils and
lunatics."
— George Fitch, Atlanta Constitution Newspaper, 1916


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Re: [Emc-users] Fusion 360

[Dave Cole]

I work with a shop that does a lot of waterjet, laser, 4 axis mill, and 
some lathe work and they are using

Fusion 360 for their 4 axis mill and lathe they are very happy with it.
I've used Fusion 360 to drive a LinuxCNC lathe and it worked fine.
It seems like things are moving to the cloud, but I'm not all that happy 
with that.

At some point it seems like that is going to bite a lot of users.
However, I'm not sure the cloud thing is any worse than licenses that 
are handed out by a server.

Still, Fusion 360 seems like a pretty solid package.

Dave


On 3/22/2019 5:14 PM, Jeff Johnson wrote:

Anyone on here have opinions on Fusion 360 Cad/Cam by Autodesk?

Using  ShopCam for simple 2.5D work, VisualCam for 3 or more axis work,
using Alibre Cad for 3D Drwaing and creation as well as ProgeCad for 2D
Drawings.

With this combo there is not much we can't handle but maintenance agreements
and updates do get cumbersome.

  


I am worried about moving to the cloud based system but I guess it's the
future.

  


What are this groups thoughts if any?

  


Jeff Johnson

john...@superiorroll.com

Superior Roll & Turning

734-279-1831

  



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Re: [Emc-users] Fusion 360

[John Dammeyer]

I've stayed with AlibreCAD and AlibreCAM through thick and thin.  For a while 
it was MecSoft's CAM but now that Alibre has re-integrated I like that the two 
applications are linked.  I can tweak a drawing.  Adjust the CAM.  There are 
probably down sides but I don't know them.

During the Geomagic period I had a USB dongle for each.  Now we're back onto 
call home internet licensing.  I prefer the dongles.

No experience with Fusion360.
John


> -Original Message-
> From: Jeff Johnson [mailto:john...@superiorroll.com]
> Sent: March-22-19 2:15 PM
> To: emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net
> Subject: [Emc-users] Fusion 360
> 
> Anyone on here have opinions on Fusion 360 Cad/Cam by Autodesk?
> 
> Using  ShopCam for simple 2.5D work, VisualCam for 3 or more axis work,
> using Alibre Cad for 3D Drwaing and creation as well as ProgeCad for 2D
> Drawings.
> 
> With this combo there is not much we can't handle but maintenance
> agreements
> and updates do get cumbersome.
> 
> 
> 
> I am worried about moving to the cloud based system but I guess it's the
> future.
> 
> 
> 
> What are this groups thoughts if any?
> 
> 
> 
> Jeff Johnson
> 
> john...@superiorroll.com
> 
> Superior Roll & Turning
> 
> 734-279-1831
> 
> 
> 
> 
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[Emc-users] Fusion 360

[Jeff Johnson]

Anyone on here have opinions on Fusion 360 Cad/Cam by Autodesk?

Using  ShopCam for simple 2.5D work, VisualCam for 3 or more axis work,
using Alibre Cad for 3D Drwaing and creation as well as ProgeCad for 2D
Drawings. 

With this combo there is not much we can't handle but maintenance agreements
and updates do get cumbersome.

 

I am worried about moving to the cloud based system but I guess it's the
future. 

 

What are this groups thoughts if any?

 

Jeff Johnson

john...@superiorroll.com

Superior Roll & Turning

734-279-1831

 


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