Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Autodesk Fusion 360 VS SolveSpace

Compare Autodesk Fusion 360 VS SolveSpace and see what are their differences

Autodesk Fusion 360 logo Autodesk Fusion 360

Integrated CAD, CAM, and CAE featuring collaborative editing and cloud-based computation.

SolveSpace logo SolveSpace

SOLVESPACE is a parametric 3D CAD program with extrude, revolve, union and difference functions.
  • Autodesk Fusion 360 Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-27
  • SolveSpace Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-07-20

Autodesk Fusion 360 features and specs

  • Integrated CAD, CAM, and CAE
    Fusion 360 offers a unified platform for computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), and computer-aided engineering (CAE), streamlining the workflow for engineers and designers.
  • Cloud-Based Collaboration
    Being a cloud-based tool, it allows for seamless collaboration and version control, enabling teams to work together from different locations and devices.
  • Parametric Modeling
    Fusion 360 supports parametric modeling, allowing users to create models based on parameters and relationships, which makes design modifications more efficient.
  • Cost-Effective
    With a competitive pricing structure, including a free tier for startups and enthusiasts, Fusion 360 is accessible to smaller businesses and individual designers.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    Fusion 360 has an intuitive and user-friendly interface that makes it easier for newcomers to get started and for experienced users to enhance their productivity.
  • Rich Libraries and Templates
    It offers extensive libraries and predefined templates that can significantly speed up the design process and provide useful starting points for various projects.

Possible disadvantages of Autodesk Fusion 360

  • Internet Dependency
    Being predominantly cloud-based, Fusion 360 requires a stable internet connection for full functionality, which can be a limitation in regions with poor connectivity.
  • Performance Issues
    There can be performance lags and delays, especially with larger, more complex models, which may impact workflow and productivity.
  • Limited Offline Capabilities
    While it does offer some offline capabilities, most advanced features require an internet connection, which can be a disadvantage during travel or in remote locations.
  • Learning Curve
    Despite its user-friendly interface, Fusion 360 has a steep learning curve due to its extensive features and tools, requiring significant time investment to master.
  • Subscription-Based Pricing
    While the pricing is competitive, the subscription-based model may not be ideal for all users, particularly those who prefer a one-time purchase option.
  • Occasional Software Bugs
    Like any software, Fusion 360 is not immune to bugs and glitches, which can sometimes disrupt work and require troubleshooting or technical support.

SolveSpace features and specs

  • Open Source
    SolveSpace is open-source software, which means it is free to use, modify, and distribute. This encourages community contributions and allows users to customize the software to their needs.
  • Lightweight
    The software is relatively lightweight compared to other CAD programs, making it suitable for older systems or for users who prefer a minimal footprint.
  • Parametric Modeling
    SolveSpace offers parametric modeling, allowing users to define geometric constraints and dimensions that can easily be adjusted to alter the design.
  • Cross-Platform
    SolveSpace is available on multiple platforms including Windows, Linux, and macOS, enhancing accessibility for users on different operating systems.
  • 2D and 3D Design
    The software supports both 2D and 3D design capabilities, making it versatile for various design projects ranging from basic sketches to complex 3D models.

Possible disadvantages of SolveSpace

  • Limited Features
    Compared to more advanced and commercial CAD software, SolveSpace has limited features that might be insufficient for complex engineering projects.
  • User Interface
    The user interface of SolveSpace might seem outdated or less intuitive to users accustomed to more modern design environments.
  • Learning Curve
    New users may face a steep learning curve due to the program's unconventional approach and lack of comprehensive documentation or tutorials.
  • Performance
    While lightweight, SolveSpace can struggle with performance issues when handling complex or large 3D models, which may affect users working on detailed projects.
  • Limited Community Support
    As a lesser-known tool, the community around SolveSpace is smaller, which could lead to challenges in finding help or resources for troubleshooting.

Autodesk Fusion 360 videos

Fusion 360 Tutorial for Absolute Beginners (2020)

SolveSpace videos

Solvespace Tutorial 0: Basics and User Interface

More videos:

  • Demo - SOLVESPACE 2.0 demo
  • Tutorial - Solvespace Tutorial 1 - a Simple Plate

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Autodesk Fusion 360 and SolveSpace)
3D
84 84%
16% 16
Architecture
78 78%
22% 22
Technical Computing
100 100%
0% 0
3D Modeling
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Autodesk Fusion 360 and SolveSpace

Autodesk Fusion 360 Reviews

Top 13 Picks for Maxon Cinema 4D Alternatives in 2024
A product of Autodesk, Fusion 360 comes to us as an integrated, cloud-based platform for design, engineering, electronics, and manufacturing. Released in September 2013, it proves its versatility with compatibility across Windows, macOS, web browsers, Android, and iOS. It’s not only a multilingual tool but also an amalgamation of CAD, CAM, CAE, and PCB design capabilities.
Source: aircada.com
15 Best Sketchup Alternatives 2022
Out of the list, Fusion 360 from Autodesk stands out as the most recommended. When you look at its features, both platforms are not too dissimilar. But, Fusion 360 works faster as it is cloud-powered, and it is relatively more comfortable to use.
Alternatives to SketchUp: Check out 10 free programs
Created by software giant AutoDesk, Fusion 360 is a cloud-based program. It integrates Computer-Aided Drawing (CAD), Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM), and Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) softwares, which makes it a unified platform. Regarding the CAD software, Fusion 360 is a parametric modeling system that allows some more powerful tools, being one of the greatest...
Source: solidface.com

SolveSpace Reviews

We have no reviews of SolveSpace yet.
Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, SolveSpace seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 23 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Autodesk Fusion 360 mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Autodesk Fusion 360 yet. Tracking of Autodesk Fusion 360 recommendations started around Mar 2021.

SolveSpace mentions (23)

  • Ink and Switch Constraint System (2023)
    The comment on constraints which still blows me away is the footnote on the readme for Dune 3D: https://github.com/dune3d/dune3d Probably a bit more approachable for folks is: https://www.cadsketcher.com/ which adds the Solvespace constraint solver to Blender. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 month ago
  • Show HN: A playable game of Tetris inside a PDF
    >> I do wish I did pay some attention to CAD now. I want a 3D printer and have no idea how to design objects for it. Get Solvespace: https://solvespace.com/index.pl Do the tutorials. If/when you outgrow it, the concepts will carry over to FreeCAD which otherwise has a steeper learning curve but has more capabilities. - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
  • I Revived 3-Axis CNC Mill G-Code Simulator
    > - Solvespace --- limited to 2D last I checked According to https://solvespace.com/index.pl "SOLVESPACE -- parametric 2d/3d CAD" "SOLVESPACE is a free (GPLv3) parametric 3d CAD tool. Applications include: - modeling 3d parts — draw with extrudes, revolves, helixes and Boolean (union / difference / intersection) operations [...] - 3d-printed parts — export the STL or other triangle mesh expected by most 3d printers". - Source: Hacker News / 8 months ago
  • Herbgrind analyzes binaries to find inaccurate floating point expressions
    Is it feasible to run this on something large like Solvespace[1] (CAD) which is ~5MB executable? Or would we just get an insanely long list of issues? [1] https://solvespace.com/index.pl There are hundreds of numerical algorithms in there, and we have some bugs that might be related to this kind of implementation error. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • Math and Motion: A Look at Chebyshev’s Works on Linkages
    If you want to quickly sketch and simulate the motion of linkages, I can recommend using Solvespace: https://solvespace.com/index.pl. - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Autodesk Fusion 360 and SolveSpace, you can also consider the following products

FreeCAD - An open-source parametric 3D modeler

OpenSCAD - OpenSCAD is a software for creating solid 3D CAD objects.

Blender - Blender is the open source, cross platform suite of tools for 3D creation.

Inventor - Inventor is a 3D CAD software that lets you quickly create 3D models with embedded intelligence, intuitive workflows, and optimized performance.

SketchUp - 3D for Everyone

MATLAB - A high-level language and interactive environment for numerical computation, visualization, and programming