They later sold to Google in 2006 for an undisclosed sum of money. SketchUp debuted in 2000 as a general-purpose 3D content creation tool. With this in mind, you can think of Fusion 360 as a reborn edition of a classic sports car – decades of experience reimagined for the present day.Ĭontrary, SketchUp has taken a different route. Leaning on Autodesk’s product portfolio and development history has helped Fusion 360 become a frontrunner in product design and development.įusion 360 has only been around for seven years, but Autodesk has combined decades of development work with modern technologies. Many know Autodesk for its creation of AutoCAD, which is one of the most used CAD packages to date.Īutodesk has a history of creating, acquiring, and maintaining design software. Most important, Autodesk has acquired and folded many technologies into Fusion 360, including Meshmixer (mesh modeling) and Eagle (PCB modeling). However, Autodesk has a proven track record of deploying and building massive success with software programs. It was made available to the public in 2013 and is still maintained solely by Autodesk, Inc.įusion 360 is considered “young” in the world of software development. owns and supports Fusion 360.įusion 360 is a professional CAD and CAM package by Autodesk, Inc. Today, we’ll compare Fusion 360 and SketchUp – two programs often debated in the woodworking industry. There are many variables to consider when choosing a 3D modeling program for woodworking. Hopefully, you agree that the chosen CAD package should make your life easier – saving time and money while helping mitigate potential issues in the middle of a project. That means there will be more to learn the longer you wait to add it to your workflow. Parts lists, cutting maps, material simulations, and photorealistic renderings are a few extra benefits CAD can provide.ĬAD programs will continue to provide additional benefits as computers get more advanced. Perhaps you’re testing out new ideas, helping clients visualize what’s in your head, or finalizing a specific detail or measurement before you head to your shop.īoth hobbyists and professional woodworkers find that Computer-Aided Design (CAD) packages provide more benefits than they originally desired.

There are many advantages to 3D modeling your woodworking projects.

Sketchup woodworking plans free