Fusion 360 for Hobbyists - suggestions for future development

[hj.vdberg]

About 3 years ago I started my CNC hobby with a Shapeoko and because it was not sturdy enough, I bought a strong 600x900 Desktop machine mechanical parts from CNC Router Parts, designed and built my own control system during weekends and during long after hours. This part of my hobby was great, but creating 3D models started much earlier by using Sketchup. 

After assessing many options I decided to use Fusion 360, first as a trial, and then found out that it has a Hobbyist or non-commercial option to use the software, I was extremely happy and used it now for the past two years.  During this time, I found that the ease of creating the 3D model in Fusion 360 was extremely important for me because it gave me energy and inspired me to create more and complex models - in short, I love the way Fusion works, including the CAM part.
Then, at some stage the way it worked for Hobbyists changed. I am not here to complain, I fully understand that the software needs to be protected. It is understandable that the Hobbyists do not need a machine that operates fast since there is no production or commercial impact. Except it is so frustrating that when I work on a piece where the feed is 50 mm/min, then that is the speed it takes to go home! On this, may I suggest limiting the rapid speed (G0) to a maximum rather than using the operating speed? - I will really appreciate it. 

Then, the Hobbyist license also does not allow two or more operations that use the same tool to be processed together in the post-processor to give one toolpath, the software is forcing us to create it one at a time. My view is that this creates more frustration with your wonderful software rather than protecting it against misuse. My thinking is that automatic tool changers are used for increasing the speed of production, and may I propose that you rather consider limiting the interaction with the tool changers rather than frustrating your possible future subscribers!

Please keep on doing what you do, I like your software and hope that you can solve our hobbyists' frustration while protecting your software.
Kind regards

Herman

[TrippyLighting]

Another user in another thread who is a professional software developer mentioned that he was willing to spend quite a buit on hardware e.g. a CNC machine bit was reluctant to spend an equivalent amount of money on teh software to actually run it.

You can imagine that being a software developer the was quite surpised by his own reluctance.

I've cosidered buying jsut such a machine from Avid CNC (Formerly CNC router parts). Those are not inexpesive and you'll easily spend a few thusand dollars. 

Many years worth of Fusiosn 360 subscriptions.

So I am curious of what you spend to buld that machine and why you wuldnot consider buying a subscription ?

Or, what woud you be willing to spend on such a subscription if the current level is too expensive and the rationale behid that.

[hj.vdberg]

Thank you kindly for replying, and yes, you are so right, it generally makes no sense if you spend a huge amount on the machine and want the software for free.

My plea was not only for myself but for all hobbyists, who mostly have start-up, small inexpensive machines. I also do not know the reason for the person you mentioned, but my personal situation is that I am preparing to retire and want to remove all monthly subscriptions. In my case, therefore, I would prefer to buy the software and receive no further updates or support, but that is also not an option.

My request is to help develop the community of hobbyists, many of whom will end up starting a business and then will subscribe if they have a good experience and in return will increase the Fusion turnover.