What happened to HSM Express 2.5D ?

[zsirbela]

I am learning Inventor 2020 with a Student licence (thank you Autodesk), the next step would be to do something useable with my self-built 40x60cm CNC router with a CAM plugin.
I see all over reference to a product called HSM Express 2.5D that is free but limited to 2.5 dimensions which limitation would be perfectly OK for me now.

What I can't figure out even after an hour of browsing:  HSM CAM was renamed to InventorCAM, it is OK, but did they discontinue their free 2.5D version at the same time so this offer is only functional with up to Inventor 2018? Will there will be no free 2.5D version for the current Inventor any more?

So what are my options for learning CAM now on a zero or low budget ?  Downgrading to Inventor 2018 and stay with it for the foreseeable future ? Or squeze my learning curve to a month with the full-blown InventorCAM trial version, which I read could end abruptly so early as a week for some users, and forget hobby-CAMing afterwards for a lifetime? Or is there something else I am overlooking?

[CCarreiras · Accepted solution]

Free 2,d D HSM ist's still available.

Since you have a educational license, you will be able to install the full version.

Tip: If you want to use it as the 2,5D version, just hide the extra tools and use only the 2D tab.

[mcgyvr · Accepted solution]

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@zsirbela wrote:

I am learning Inventor 2020 with a Student licence (thank you Autodesk), the next step would be to do something useable with my self-built 40x60cm CNC router with a CAM plugin.
I see all over reference to a product called HSM Express 2.5D that is free but limited to 2.5 dimensions which limitation would be perfectly OK for me now.

What I can't figure out even after an hour of browsing:  HSM CAM was renamed to InventorCAM, it is OK, but did they discontinue their free 2.5D version at the same time so this offer is only functional with up to Inventor 2018? Will there will be no free 2.5D version for the current Inventor any more?

So what are my options for learning CAM now on a zero or low budget ?  Downgrading to Inventor 2018 and stay with it for the foreseeable future ? Or squeze my learning curve to a month with the full-blown InventorCAM trial version, which I read could end abruptly so early as a week for some users, and forget hobby-CAMing afterwards for a lifetime? Or is there something else I am overlooking?

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As stated its still available but is now "Inventor CAM 2.5D Free Plugin"... Seems "HSM Express naming went away..

https://www.autodesk.com/products/inventor-cam/free-download

and yes as you are a student you get access to ALL Autodesk software which would include the full blown Inventor CAM (HSM Works Ultimate is still a name being used there I guess too)..

https://www.autodesk.com/education/free-software/hsmworks-ultimate

Autodesk loves to make slightly confusing name changes/tweaks over time to keep you on your toes.. 

[zsirbela]

Thank you both.  HSM and now InventorCAM appears to me as a third party plugin not owned by Autodesk, so I was not aware it is also offered free for education like all Autodesk products.

I installed it now, it seems to insist to the 30-days trial, (the serial I was given as a Student is not accepted in the online activation but the trial works) I hope I will be able to convert the licence when the 30-days end.  But now there's a lot to learn till then. 🙂  Thank you.