The more you do it the easier it becomes. I just use it for modeling with the 3d printer. I learned Inventor in college and still find Fusion to be way much. To me, both programs are very easy to use once set up and work well together.įor more artsy stuff I found Inkscape manageable to learn and get the basic dun. It’s worth mentioning Sheet Cam also has some basic templates and is what I use for all the CAM end. In the sheet metal package you can quickly do things like laying out bends, make all sorts of holes, arcs, letters, slots, lines, bridges and tabs in plate. The motor sport program has templates for things like gussets, tabs, base plates, washers, caps… All you need to do is add your dimensions. It is not free but you can buy upgrade modules as needed. I am very behind when it comes to computers and found it user friendly, pretty easy to learn, and has great customer support. After I purchased the CFPro I realized I was using less than half of what the program is capable of and found so much more use for it. Initially I purchased it just for laying out tubing bends, which was worth it in itself. I do probably 85% of my 2d drawings with the sheet metal and motor sport plate template packages. Try it out, if you like it then go for it.ĭepending on what you are making, Bend-Tech is worth looking into. I would ask them if they have any sort of free trial period. Designing it all in CAD first allows me to learn some of the things I would have done differently before I actually start fabrication of the part. By the time I finish my widget I have a list of things I would have done differently. In the past I have thought it up sort of on the fly and had to do everything by hand.
![Enroute 4 software Enroute 4 software](https://enrouteapp.net/images/enroute.png)
I enjoy designing and inventing prototypes for different widgets. I like the idea of designing using the Sheetmetal tools and designing 3d components I can lay out and cut… then bend and weld into something I have designed and created. I don’t currently need all the function of fusion 360, but I hope at some point to be able to use all of its functions. I’m sure there are programs that are simpler to learn than Inkscape and Fusion 360 but you cant get away from having to learn the computer side one way or the other. I have spent several hours on designs that only take 7-10 min to cut out. 90% of what you will do with your PRO is working on the computer.