u/Beneficial_Week8281

I am looking to install a personal CAD package on my computer for either hobbyist activities, professional development, and preparing for job interviews. At work, I use NX. Looking for a software that has CAD, drafting, and simulation, preferably free or some minimal cost. Another route would be to segregate the simulation from CAD, if someone had a good recommendation for a standalone structural sim software.

My initial thought would be to use solid edge, as it’s similar to NX and is free, though I’m having a hard time seeing if the “community” edition includes sim capabilities. Curious to see what other professionals do