🤯 NX Expert Tries Fusion 360 for First Time - I'm Actually Impressed!

💥 HONEST REVIEW: After nearly 3 decades on NX and 2.5 decades on CATIA V5, I finally downloaded Fusion 360 to see what all the hype is about. My verdict after just 4 hours? I'm genuinely impressed!

🔍 What I Tested:

Built my signature adjuster base (my go-to CAD system test)
Explored solid modeling, surfaces, and Sub-D modeling
Tested advanced features like conic fillets and tangency weights
Tried datum planes, parametric modeling, and Boolean operations
Quick look at sheet metal, plastic tools, and CAM capabilities

💰 The Shocking Truth:
For under $500/year, Fusion 360 delivers features that rival tools costing $10,000+ annually. Yes, you read that right - my NX Mach 3 maintenance alone costs almost $10K per year!
⚡ What Actually Works:

Intuitive Boolean operations for multi-body designs
Advanced filleting with conic control (seriously impressive!)
Solid parametric modeling with proper datum references
Built-in CAM, sheet metal, and plastic design rules
Sub-D modeling that's surprisingly easy to use
Cloud-based collaboration tools

🎯 Who Should Consider This:

Makers wanting to start a small business
Anyone needing professional CAD without enterprise costs
3D printing enthusiasts ready to move beyond basic tools
Small shops looking for integrated CAM capabilities

⚠️ Honest Limitations:

Learning curve for mouse interactions (muscle memory is real!)
Some features harder to find compared to what I'm used to
Assembly management may have limits for complex projects

🎓 Want to master professional NX CAD techniques? My advanced courses at www.stevenmarji.com teach the principles that transfer across MOST CAD systems

💡 Bottom Line: If you're in the maker space or running a small design business, Fusion 360 might be the perfect starting point. For less than $500/year, you get capabilities that would have cost tens of thousands just a few years ago.

👍 This was fun to explore! What CAD software should I try next? Drop your suggestions in the comments!