Like you and others Bruce, I am also a fan of keeping my files on my local computer. However, considering the costs to go to the big programs I am used to running (AutoDesk Inventor, Solid Works, Solid Edge, and Pro E), it is very prohibitive for the hobbyist. A typical computer to run these packages effectively will be in the 8-10K range. The software packages are all going to a subscription based system, meaning you pay a 5-10K up front (initial purchase) and then a 2-3K per year after to keep the software running. I will admit I am entrenched in the methodology of design of the big packages. I have tried Sketch Up and could never get the hang of how to generate a useful model, plus I work in my garage/shop and need the paper drawings to make parts from…a feature the free version of Sketch Up and others don’t have.
Also, I am seeing a slow but continuing shift in the market place to have the bigger companies go to cloud base software. My company is a 25,000 employee company has moved to Office 365 cloud based for office products. I hear they are considering other software we use going to cloud as well. And I found that interesting considering we are a US Government contractor, you know, security and all that…
As for Fusion 360, I spent the 45 or so minutes reviewing their video on how it works and found it to be very much Inventor in a cloud environment. So anyone who has worked Autodesk Inventor, it should be a breeze to get up to speed. I posted the AutoDesk link where they state clearly that the IP (Intellectual Property) is the originator and AutoDesk has no claim to the IP. As for file security, I have dealt with AutoDesk since the mid '80s (started out on AutoCAD 1.2, came on 2 360K floppy disks…remember them??), and have always considered them an honest company. I need to expound on Cliff’s statement of cost for Fusion 360. His statement is correct at $25 per month, IF you purchase the full year subscription…or $300 up front, otherwise if you do a month to month payment it will be $40 per month. The cost savings will depend on how frequently you plan to use it.
Onshape, the Dessault Systems cloud based version of Solid Works, it is also very much Solid Works in the cloud. Again familiarity with Solid Works and you should be up and running in short order. I have not been able to find a direct statement regarding IP, such as I found for Fusion 360. Onshape is free for educational use, but files are marked for EDU. Their Public offering is FREE, but I remember reading somewhere (I can’t locate it offhand) that there is a limitation to the number and/or types of files you can store on the server, and if memory is correct, it would not support any complete, say ground up rolling stock design or moderate building. The Professional version is $1500 per year. I consider that a bit steep for hobby use.
The only real advantage I see to the web based packages is that they will run on just about any device you own, so long as it has a browser. I am sure the speed factor will be relative to the graphics capability of the device you are running on, but that kind of portability has value.
