Centroid Community CNC Support Forum

Has anyone looked at the new solidworks hobbiest license? Only $38.50 a year. Does centroid have a PP that works with solidworks? I may give it a try as Fusion has become WAY overpriced and lacking on the lathe side of things. Anyone have any input?

The included Shop Floor Programmer is only for 3 axis milling...

What do you think is missing in fusion for turning, works fine for me with y and c axis included.

Uwe

FWIW, I purchased Alibre CAD several years ago because Solidworks was so expensive. Alibre is a one-time purchase and does everything I need. They also offer optional yearly support/updates. There are a ton of demo YT videos on its use.

Oh bummer.....3 axis milling only.......
Uwe, Fusion is just cumbersome. Unnecessary parameters
I actually like using the Acorn conversational. It is quick and efficient for simple cuts. Too bad it can't do complex things.

vw_chuck wrote: ↑Wed Feb 14, 2024 12:24 pm Oh bummer.....3 axis milling only.......
Uwe, Fusion is just cumbersome. Unnecessary parameters
I actually like using the Acorn conversational. It is quick and efficient for simple cuts. Too bad it can't do complex things.

For 2 axis turning Intercon is very fast, I use CAM only for 3 or 4 axis on a lathe.

To optimize process time in serial production, hand coding.

Uwe

kb58 wrote: ↑Wed Feb 14, 2024 12:03 pm FWIW, I purchased Alibre CAD several years ago because Solidworks was so expensive. Alibre is a one-time purchase and does everything I need. They also offer optional yearly support/updates. There are a ton of demo YT videos on its use.

I used to use Alibre at a previous job and quite enjoyed it. Not all the bells and whistles that Autodesk products have but it was stable and had all the tools to get the job done. I liked how it exposed the parameters so it was easy for me to figure out how to do parametric designs. This isn't any official Centroid endorsement, just my own personal experiences.

Alibre is a German product, and they are also cooking only with water...

Expert version one time 1904 € + Service/Updates 690,20€ / year

IMHO fusion is a better deal for 490€ / year (the price I payed for the abo next 3 years) more modelling features and 3+2 axis CAM included

I like the streamlined workflow with CAD/CAM/Centroid CNC fusion offers.

One dimension change in CAD and my mill runs a minute later with updated g-code.

Uwe

suntravel wrote: ↑Thu Feb 15, 2024 10:43 am Alibre is a German product.....

You sure about that, Uwe?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alibre_Design

Not now, should have looked closer...

https://alibre.info/kontakt.html

Uwe

suntravel wrote: ↑Thu Feb 15, 2024 7:19 pm Not now, should have looked closer...

https://alibre.info/kontakt.html

Uwe

Try this page: https://alibre.info/impressum.html


I do agree that Fusion 360 is overall a better deal and far more useful for a home machinist. I've used it quite a lot too.