@Anonymous wrote:
So as a hobbyist, I'm finding a steep learning curve on most cad tools. So it is a commitment on my part to learn a tool. What I'm reading here is that Autodesk is only willing to commit to one year at a time, unless I am a student. So a guy that will for sure be a pro can use Fusion 360 for 3 years, but someone that is not a pro must invest his time at the risk of having the software become unavailable after a year.
I got mine in 2018 and it runs until 2020. That's more than a year. Right now AD always gets prolonged. Sure no guarantee . OnShape is good example for changing business models. But what you've learned here is not a wast of time. I think you'll be able to transfer parts of the knowledge to other products.
Buying software is not a "infinity solution". Your hardware or operating system might change over the years and might not work with software you bought. So - you have to buy again.
@Anonymous wrote:
I can see removing update rights, or access to new library downloads... But if you are telling me that I potentially loose use of the skills I have learned or loose use of my own files/designs, or worse must pay you a quarter of my gross income from unrelated work just to have access to my own work, that is asking too much.
Changing in business models do not happen over night. At least not for users. So I strongly think that you'll get a generous time to get your data. BTW: It's a good practice to download your designs in native (*.f3d) and standardized formats (like e.g. *.stp) anyway. It's called backup and archiving your work. Are you doing this? If yes I don't see your worries about loosing your work, if no you're running a risky behavior.
@Anonymous wrote:
If I learn your tool, I am a potential pro down the road... But if learning your tool carries with it grave risk, that down the road pro will be using a different product such as freecad. If I learn Freecad now, I'm unlikely to have a desire for an Autodesk product down the road.
Comparing Freecad and Fusion 360 doesn't work out for me. Yes - both are CAD systems but the way they work and the available functions are pretty ... different. If you're thinking they're the same, you're using a fraction of the potential of Fusion 360.
@Anonymous wrote:
I would rather Autodesk come up with a price for the hobby version. I am willing to pay, as long as I know up front how much it will cost and how long I can use the files I generate. I'm not against paying, I'm against taking a risk with my time and designs.
I strongly hope that Fusion 360 will not follow this suggestion, because I think it's great that it's great what they're doing right now. Lot of users are using such tools not often or just don't have the money to buy lots of different software packages. And the strongest argument for me is: People can try tools without buying licenses. And for many people a 30 day trail period is not enough because of time constrains. So Autodesk: Keep on what you're doing.
BTW - What would a fair price for you?
@Anonymous wrote:
I live in the Austin area, and there are horror stories around here of people being burned by Autodesk a few decades back, Autodesk burned bridges with people helping them sell product, so the lack of commitment and the software license that expires on an annual basis is a deal breaker.
I guess AD can live with one hobbyist more or less. And if you've followed the ADs statements regarding hobbyist over the last year ... they do commit to us. Just not in the way you want it.
@Anonymous wrote:
I am 20 days away from having to give up another product I was originally told was free... I've only partially utilized it for what I need, and now suddenly it is going away when I told it was supposed to last as long as I was in the free tier. In the case of the other product, I was offered purchases along the way, and all of that money is lost as soon as the underlying service goes away. It is great that Autodesk gives you a warning up front that you only get a year, but I'm not making an investment in *anything* that threatens to potentially destroy my creativity design at the whim of someone that might decide to squeeze me for money later... Give me the option to pay a fair price now for something I can keep using. If you must charge renewal fees, give me a commitment on what those fees will be... like $X00 now and 20% of the original price every year after X years...
I don't mind paying, but I don't want my creations held hostage later.
Not sure in what business area you've worked. But I'm not aware of any areas that gives you that guarantee for a) a single license and b) over a long time. BTW: AD delivers continuously new features and not like traditional vendors once a year. So just because of you they should not only change the business model but also the development strategy? Big call.
