SolidWorks Maker is Broken... Choose Fusion 360 in 2024

As a professional SolidWorks user I was very excited when they announced the Maker license for people who want to use the software at home for their hobbies. I wanted to do exactly that and use the maker edition for my personal projects.

I've had a SolidWorks Maker subscription for the past year and it has constantly had issues. Always having to install hotfixes every time you go to use the software, sometimes it would work after a hotfix but most times it wouldn't and you'd have to waste an hour trying to find an answer to your problem or having to uninstall and reinstall the software.

Now with the 2024 edition being released it will not allocate me login credentials even though I have a valid subscription.

I've switched to Fusion 360. So far it has been very reliable, when I want to use it: it just works...

This isn't an endorsement for Fusion 360, more a PSA about how terrible the 3D experience platform is and especially the maker license.

[jordandyckes]

I spent money for personal hobby use and 90% of the time you can't login, it doesn't barely work as it should, almost impossible to find anything that helps. They should really should be made to refund customers for this as it's a breach of trading standards, almost no support.

[jon_raymond]

I used SolidWorks professionally for over a decade and found the exact same issue with the maker edition. Another option might be Onshape.

[lgarnand]

Thank you for affirming my exact experience. I tried for months to get it to work and never could and of course there is no support. The educational license install is a cake walk as is the full license but the Maker version should be pulled until its works.

[B_Lab-]

in my working life I have used proprietary CAD\CAM for CNC machines, now that I use Fusion 360 I feel free to create for printing without constraints or licensing problems like you have had. I will probably opt for the paid license since the proceeds can well cover the expense, happy printing everyone!
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[rjbrownley]

I disagree. I have been using Solidworks at work for years and recently started using the Makers subscription at home. No problems yet, seems to work well, especially with the old laptop that I am using right now.

[rickpeck]

Thanks! I was considering a Maker license and this put the nail in the coffin. SolidWorks used to have a program that allowed employees whose companies had a license to have a home license as well.

[Kensownvids]

Thanks for sharing. Had given it a look. Truly confusing trying to set up the free version.

[j.hunter]

Current Fusion "On Sale" price is $510 (vs the $382 in your 6 month old video)! Autodesk can go pound sand.

[Phtevenzzz]

Even the Full version of Solidworks is broken, they keep adding hotfix but there juste more thing who just stop working as they should. Ben working with Solidworks for the past 10 year and it never has been that bad. I'm considering to move out with an other platform, but i'm not a fan of all those cloud one. the day you dont have an internet connection it wont just work. I mean Autodesk especially.

[Munky]

My biggest problem is that Fusion 360's subscription model is fucked, there's no inbetween, Solidworks offers education licenses for what, 40$, and military for 20$, its *really* hard to beat that.
If Autodesk offered a like 100-200$ a year plan (with discounts for studentds/mil) instead of fucking 700$ a god damn year. Its such a trash way to do business, and stuff like this makes me *never* want to use their products.

My question is: other than the issue you are having, how about the workflow/ease of learning and using the software? is one really easier to use? I know in general the sort of "industry standard" for many higher level jobs is Solidworks, but for a hobbyist who just wants to do some fucking around 3d modeling stuff for some random 3d prints, what would be easier to learn?

[morganmaker]

​ @3DPrintStuff so what exactly is the problem? Do you just have issues on how to install it or do you have issues with the functionality of the software? I recently started using solidworks maker and i can't realy see a big issue with it (other than me not beeing used to it, but thats not really the problem of solidworks maker)

[JareedHummel]

Any updates on this? I used solidworks for college in 2020 and was great for Tool & Die, Im wanting to get it again to just make squared models to get an idea on projects without making mistakes that add up. I have blender but thats a huge mountain to climb.

[robertcotner]

I've been using the Makers License for 2 years. It has issues and I stress out each time it requires an update since I'm concerned it may finally stop working (seems to update quarterly on average).
That said, I've modeled a ton of parts I could not have otherwise, and once I get it booted up and going it has no problems. I had some very frustrating issues on initial install which were cleared up by emailing customer service, since then every update is a hassle that I somehow get past and keep going. It's also my understanding if I ever convert to the Professional version I cannot take these models with me. At the end of the day I've learned a lot about modeling I could not have otherwise, and am only paying less than $10 a month for it.
PS: As you said yourself the Dassault website is bloated!

[othoapproto]

I've painfully learned to review software before buying. #1 What's the general opinion, #2 How's the support, You Tube, Facebook, Forums, Discord (Video Chat).

[andrewjeff]

Gave it a month here. Couldn’t get it to work either. Back to fusion.

[AlexJoneses]

Lets make one thing clear, solidworks has never ever been stable. as soon as you try to do anything new on it or some complicated geometry, solidworks is known for its erroring out potential

[drpgfki]

Right, but Fusion is massively limited. It's a damn mess with having to save externally, pull files in, zero support, and being "limited to 10 files" for no legitimate reason. Why can't AutoCAD create a $10-$20 a month license for full software use for normal humans.

[DD-swdd]

Sucks bc Solidworks is what I was trained and certified in.
Their website is horrible, so dealing with anything tied to the internet with Makers is a no go

[rentaspoon]

I tried using it, cancelled my subscription, went back to fusion 360, I hated 360 before that now I am using it and nothing else

The damn thing is such a mess.