Hobbyists will no longer have access to converting Solidworks files into fusion.

[Anonymous]

Once our current term ends, we (hobbyists) will no longer be able to upload a SLDPRT file to be converted to the fusion file. This is very upsetting considering that I and many others at home use this feature to edit or customize designs that have already been made. I know I certainly cannot afford $500+ a month to have one feature that I really do use of all the features they are getting rid of for the hobbyist version, nor can I up and start a business to obtain the "startup" license. I understand that Autodesk needs to make money, and maybe these features are abused by those who dont acquire the correct licensing, however it'd be at least nice to have a one time fee to get this specific feature, or perhaps a reasonable subscription price for hobbyists. Personally not a fan of subscription based services, but I understand it from a business side of view. Autodesk, please implement some way us hobbyists can convert files.

[Anonymous]

I have done this for many meshes, however, yes, some of these files are a little too complex for my comfort, or would take far too long to be considered worth it. The conversion is actually pretty dang good. For some reason small things like the changing the fillet type is not available, or creating a pattern using features as the tool is not available. But your standard tools work flawlessly. and obviously theres no timeline, so doing things like deleting threads from a hole or deleting fillets arent available, but these are all easy work arounds. 

[motorhobo]

Well, I don't know, but it's possible that the Fusion folks think that people who are doing this frequently for a lot of models must be getting paid to do it, or generating revenue from it somehow,  or else why would they need to do it so much? It's possible that some people are just using Fusion as a free Solidworks conversion utility. In which case I can understand why they'd want to put a stop to it. I'm not saying you're doing that... but I wouldn't be surprised if someone is. If I were you, I'd probably be looking for alternatives, I doubt Fusion management is going to backtrack on this one. Not trying to be a killjoy - but it is what it is.

[TheCADWhisperer]

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@Anonymous wrote:

1 ...top version of solid works

2. ... this stuff has been going on for over a dozen years.

3.   ...And a quick look into fusions history, before they were free to students and hobbyists, 

4. Now fusion is one of the top CAD softwares in the popularity contest and one of the least pirated.  

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1. Proper name is SolidWorks or SOLIDWORKS, not solid works.

2. Might check into the history of AutoCAD - this stuff has been going on for more than 30 years.

3. Before Fusion 360 was Fusion 360 it was Inventor Fusion, and free to everyone.

4. Why would you need to pirate Fusion 360 when it is so easy to get free legal license?

[motorhobo]

And boom -- back off topic again.

[HughesTooling]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Quite frankly I dont understand why this feature is being taken away. even if it is cloud based, the code is still there, it wouldn't be hard to just integrate it to be client side ran. it just seems odd to me that of all the features, this one is the one thats being stripped from us. Yet it will be free to use for start-up use? And all of fusion is completely free for startup until that startup has made over $50k/year using the software. 

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One reason the translators are cloud based is because the libraries are not available for the mac, AutoDesk want parity between PC and Mac. Also there's a good chance the code is licensed by autodesk and they would not be able to give it away so all versions of the software would increase in price if they produced local translators.

Mark

[TrippyLighting · Accepted solution]

I don't really know what the problem is here. There are ways to convert .sldprt files only that should work perfectly well for any hobbyist. All you get in Fusion. 360 is the geometry anyway. There is no feature tree, no mates, no material properties etc.

Only geometry.

If you create an account on GrabCAD and then create a project, you can upload .sldprt files and then 'download as..." which will allow you to define STEP files.

It took me less than 5 minutes to research.

I had a GrabCAD account as I use it with one of my Freelance clients and it took me less then 5 minutes to figure out how this works, at least with a .sldprt. I've not tried assemblies yet.

A little research and resourcefulness goes a long way 😉

[subversivespeed]

I do this particular method also because, quite frankly, the Solidworks import feature isn't all that great and just seems to cause some confusion in the way it handles assemblies.

[Anonymous]

Was not aware what .Step files were, so this is good to know, thank you. I have used grabcad before, but again, never knew what a .step file was, guess I just assumed it was another mesh file. If you look up "how to convert solidworks files into fusion files" all you get is a bunch of videos on how to upload the files I to fusion. Bad wording on my end to search for a good solution. Again, thanks.

[allenpawley]

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If you create an account on GrabCAD and then create a project, you can upload .sldprt files and then 'download as..." which will allow you to define STEP files.

I for one didnt realise you could do that, and hadn't gotten around to investigating alternatives

(too busy contemplating my navel at the bad news & considering the implications)

I too am a retiree and a closet mech-eng wannabe who missed the bus, train and plane...

and now I get to tinker on fusion 360 and dream big... with creations I previously never had the time to conceive

I am very grateful that fusion 360 exists and that the hobbyist license is free.

I would simply go bat-crap crazy without it.

My main use of the solid works convert for fusion 360 is converting files (switches doo-dads etc) which I've obtained on GrabCAD to insert into projects Im working on. 

Thankyou for the heads up - crisis averted.