CAD software in 2026?
Hi all. Is there any CAD software people recommend using in 2026 besides Fusion 360?
I actually had a $$$ Fusion 360 license for a few years and never used it. Kind of a big waste of money for me, if I can be honest.
Now I'm trying to open the program again and, while I can open STEP files (like the Tiny T STEP file), I can't export the individual components to an STL file or export it to its own STEP file. I'm pretty sure I need to up my subscription again. But I open Fusion 360 maybe once every three or four months these days, and I don't want to just burn money if I can avoid it.
I do have Alibre (which I get to own for life! Imagine that!). However, it absolutely chokes with larger files like the Tiny T STEP file.
Thanks for the help!
edit
Just as an update to this.
First, I downloaded FreeCAD and it seems vastly improved from when I used it years ago. I was able to do what I wanted to do (export a part in the Tiny T model to STEP or STL) using it.
I will have to give FreeCAD a shot again when I need to model something out next time. Maybe now it is Crash Free (TM)? (I was trying it before on both Linux and Windows and it was... well, we could call it Sir CrashesALot).
Second, I google-ed for "Fusion 3D for Personal Use" and, while logged in to my account (on their website), downloaded the binary to install that "Personal Use" version. However, I never uninstalled Fusion and re-installed the trial version. But when I opened up Fusion again to try the trick /u/devsfan1830 mentioned, it stated that I was back on the trial version again. Now I am able to export components to, say, STL files again.
Thanks for your help everyone!