I watched the first 10 minutes of a SolidWorks tutorial, and the software looks like it uses the same design paradigm and concepts as Fusion (a few different words for things), but I think it will be an easy transition. But getting SolidWorks for $40, and it includes Simulation, something that is pay-per-use in Fusion? Seems like a no-brainer.

I'd gladly pay Autodesk $40/yr for a hobbyist license. I've searched their site for eligibility requirements, but I can't find anything that says I'm ineligible.

Search /r/SolidWorks for 'EAA' by going to for more info. You can go all out by supporting the EAA by joining them for $40 USD/year, which gives you SolidWorks Education Premium. You can get a 6-month free trial with a trial EAA membership at. There are free 1-year trial licenses available (USC's AME 101 Syllabus has instructions on how to get it, although I believe that I do not personally qualify for this license. There are free and low cost SolidWorks options. I always wanted to use SolidWorks, but I thought the cost was about $4000 + $1300 / year.

I chose Fusion 360 because I thought it was the highest level of professional software available for free or low cost.

Fusion 360 cost per year