ARM Processor Support

[mci_ryan]

Hi There,

I do a lot of work in the field and use a Microsoft surface pro 6 at the moment.

I am contemplating replacing my existing surface with the new Surface Pro X which has an ARM processor and does not support 64bit software.

Do you know if there are any plans to develop/compile Fusion360 so that it can run on ARM based systems?

Cheers,

Ryan.

[TrippyLighting]

Fusion 360 does NOT support 32 bit OSs, but looking at Microsofts web site, this device runs Windows 10 home and that AFAIK is only available in 64 bit and as such should be fine.

[HughesTooling]

Pretty sure AutoDesk will need to recompile for the ARM processor.  

Mark

Edit. Bit of a discussion here on the Rhino forum and a reply from one of there developers. Seems like recompiling shouldn't be to difficult once Microsoft and Apple have provided the tools. As Apple are changing processors I guess Autodesk will need to do the work to keep Fusion available for the mac?

[mci_ryan]

Thanks for the reply.

I guess going down the Surface Pro X route is a gamble until there is some form of confirmation from the Autodesk team.

Cheers,

Ryan.

[Damon.Atkins]

Sounds like a good idea for Fusion 360 to be compiled for ARM.   My understanding is Microsoft is trying to make it simple as possible to do.

[lichtzeichenanlage]

Why? Supporting a different architecture is not only recompiling sources. The Investment is much bigger. And for now I wouldn't see a single reason to do this for the Microsoft platform. 

[mci_ryan]

I can't tell if this is really a legitimate response or a troll?

The surface is one of the highest selling devices for people working in the field in construction and manufacturing industries.

Not to mention, ARM processors are not limited to microsoft devices. Apple are moving to ARM chips on their mac's next year and it won't be long until ARM is the go-to for laptops because of their energy efficiency.

[lichtzeichenanlage]

It's not the first time MS tries to establish ARM. The first try was a disaster. Perhaps it's better this time. But the big plus of MS are Applications. And exactly those are missing for the ARM based os. I'm only a professional developer, but this isn't something I would buy.

Beside the ARM processor I'm not even sure, if the GPU meets the minimum requirements for Fusion 360, because the specifications says, a discrete GPU.  

Speaking about trolls... Could you provide some official links (and not just rumors) for both of your theses? 

[TrippyLighting]

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@mci_ryan wrote:

I can't tell if this is really a legitimate response or a troll?

---

Definitely not a troll!

ARM stands for Advanced RISC Architecture and there isn't there se "A" processor. Many 32 bit micro controllers from a host of different manufacturers nowadays are based on an ARM core. I've got three different ones sitting on the desk beside me 😉

Getting back to the original thread subject I doubt, however that Microsoft is going to support a 32 bit architecture with a new OS kernel.

And as I understand the rumored Apple move to the ARM architecture, that was my first thought when they introduced their 2nd iPad Pro generation. They've proven with their news iPads that they have a chip design team that is able to design competitive CPU's and likely GPU's will follow. This isn't going to be a processor from some other company, they design it and have a contract manufacturer such as TSMC manufacture it.

[mci_ryan]

I had a look through your responses to other threads... you have a habit of being rude and condescending with a hint of reluctance to adjust your perspective (the latter being a trait not ideal for a dev).

Your query about GPU vs min requirements is already answered considering my original post notes that I use F360 on my current surface. Performance is fine for the models I'm working with but if the models become more complex, I simply lose the fluidity of the model manipulation.

In regards to the troll part; your initial response stated: "I wouldn't see a single reason to do this for the Microsoft platform".. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out at least one reason, especially considering my post itself is a potential indication that there is potential use cases of F360 on ARM chipped devices.

I'm also not sure why I've got to provide you with simple information that is all over the web given that DEV's are supposed to be ahead of the 8-ball, but heck.

APPLE HIRES SPECIALIST ARM ENGINEER (a): https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-06-26/apple-hires-key-chip-designer-from-arm-as-own-eff...

APPLE HIRES SPECIALIST ARM ENGINEER (b): https://www.tomshardware.com/news/apple-hires-arm-amd-intel-architect-filippo,39751.html

ARM CONFIRMS APPLE HIRES SAID ENGINEER: https://seekingalpha.com/news/3474069-arm-confirms-apple-hired-chip-engineer

I'm aware these are simply news articles, however, they're based on direct confirmations. Happy for you to disprove them.

My other point regarding other laptops moving towards ARM because of their efficiency is common knowledge in both respects. I would be worried if I needed to show you that this is fact.

[mci_ryan]

The surface pro X ARM64 based system can run 32bit apps/software through emulation. So even if F360 were compiled for x86, that would at least allow it to run.

[lichtzeichenanlage]

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@mci_ryan wrote:

I have a look through your responses to other threads... you have a habit of being rude and condescending with a hint of reluctance to adjust your perspective (the latter being trait not ideal for a dev).

If I look at your history in this forum, then you notice that in 50% of your posts people rude or troll NEN 😉 And all just because they do not share your opinion. Your assessment is wrong for me and close to an insult. You should change the behavior urgently

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@mci_ryan wrote:

Your query about GPU vs min requirements is already answered considering my original post notes that I use F360 on my current surface. Performance is fine for the models I'm working with but if the models become more complex, I simply lose the fluidity of the model manipulation.

Fine if it's working for you. I just wouldn't recommend others to buy this, if it's have a guaranteed support.  

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@mci_ryan wrote:

In regards to the troll part; your initial response stated: "I wouldn't see a single reason to do this for the Microsoft platform".. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out at least one reason, especially considering my post itself is a potential indication that there is potential use cases of F360 on ARM chipped devices.

One post in a forum should be a reason for a company to support a new architecture. LOL

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@mci_ryan wrote:

I'm also not sure why I've got to provide you with simple information that is all over the web given that DEV's are supposed to be ahead of the 8-ball, but heck.

APPLE HIRES SPECIALIST ARM ENGINEER (a): https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-06-26/apple-hires-key-chip-designer-from-arm-as-own-eff...

APPLE HIRES SPECIALIST ARM ENGINEER (b): https://www.tomshardware.com/news/apple-hires-arm-amd-intel-architect-filippo,39751.html

ARM CONFIRMS APPLE HIRES SAID ENGINEER: https://seekingalpha.com/news/3474069-arm-confirms-apple-hired-chip-engineer

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That should be a proof of a thesis? Ouch. That's the food for rumors. And don't get me wrong. Apple might switch to ARM or what ever processors. They did switch the architecture once before. But that's not a proof. Do they switch the architecture entirely? Or just for lower tier products? How knows. And you still can't compare this to MS. It's much harder for MS to do a switch.

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@mci_ryan wrote:

My other point regarding other laptops moving towards ARM because of their efficiency is common knowledge in both respects. I would be worried if I needed to show you that this is fact.

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Your other point was, that your beloved ARM based Surface thing is "The surface is one of the highest selling devices for people working in the field in construction and manufacturing industries"

If we will see much ARM based laptops depends how able MS is to bring enough (important) applications to this architecture. And I'm not talking about emulators and things like that. Nativ Applications. 

But to be honest. I do not feel like listening to more insults and I will unsubscribe from this thread.

[lichtzeichenanlage]

Emulation.... ouch.

[mci_ryan]

Thank christ because you're hopeless at helping and provided zero input other than your completely illogical and negative view point on the use of mobile platforms that run full OS.

Your assessment is wrong for me and close to an insult. You should change the behavior urgently

A statement about the way you to reply legitimate queries in other threads has insulted you? I think the behaviour check needs to be done in the mirror bro. You're condescending and rude in nearly every single one of your replies to any thread.

One post in a forum should be a reason for a company to support a new architecture. LOL

So every single person that is contemplating using an ARM chipped device should post here so that you could get an accurate representation of the potential use cases? You seem to have this mentality that only people in front of a workstation use F360 and it should not be used on anything that could be considered mobile.

If we will see much ARM based laptops depends how able MS is to bring enough (important) applications to this architecture. And I'm not talking about emulators and things like that. Nativ Applications.

Again, some quick research on your end might change that inherent negative attitude on your posts.

The following google docs link shows the live spreadsheet of apps vs compatibility... and this is simply surface pro x users... this doesn't even consider other manufacturers of ARM based laptops.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/11iK3z_jXv0wdSCuJ1oFKGb0z9j__CzvZ7tMMH73xbG8/edit#gid=1141950...

[jeff_strater]

please, let's keep this discussion professional.  Resorting to name-calling is not appropriate here.  Everyone is just trying to help and give their opinions.  This is not Twitter.

[Anonymous]

I am using Galaxy Book S which is using ARM processor and I cannot install it. 

[Anonymous]

Using new Surface with ARM - not working at the moment.

So hopefully it will be ported.

[devesh_rai]

I have the same question: "Does F360+Eagle work on the ARM Surface Pro X"? If not, can we have a timeframe or at least an indication that people are working on it or not? I'm considering moving to either a) An ARM based Surface or b) An ARM based Mac when they are out in 2-3 months. To me this only makes sense if all the software I use daily works on it. 

[Anonymous]

Mr @jeff_strater ,

I have one of the developer Apple A12Z Bionic MacMini's with the arm processor (crazy fast but I'm not allowed to talk about that). Is Autodesk working on recompiling for the new processor? Is there a News page with updates? Currently Apple's real-time architecture translation (Rosetta) software works for most apps but fails on Autodesk Eagle. Any insight into the future of Eagle would be very helpful for planning and budgeting.

Thanks,

NetworkNazi

[Anonymous]

I have to return the Developer box  soon.