Jun.28, 2013
Autodesk and Boston start-up GrabCAD announced today the integration of AutoCAD 360 (2D) and Fusion 360 (3D) into GrabCAD's cloud collaboration app Workbench, a tool previously used for sharing and viewing 3D designs. AutoCAD 360 and Fusion 360 are Autodesk's cloud-based CAD tools. The deal doesn't involve any equity investment, it is a partnership between the companies. For the first time both 3D and 2D editing tools are available from within GrabCAD to more than 700,000 members of the GrabCAD community.
What can users benefit from AutoCAD360 and Fusion360 running in GrabCAD's Workbench? Users can have access to those editing tools that may have been previously too costly. And users can now quickly and easily edit GrabCAD models in 2D or 3D without having to own desktop engineering programs.
How will it work?
It all starts in GrabCAD Workbench, where users can launch the apps they sign up for in Toolbox. With AutoCAD 360, users will be able to edit 2D files right in the browser, including collaborative editing where multiple users can see and edit a drawing. In the coming weeks, users will be able to launch Fusion 360 from within Workbench and, after editing the model, can save the model back to GrabCAD. In addition, all users of Autodesk Fusion 360 will be able to publish to the public GrabCAD Library so Community members can see the model.
The companies say this is a significant development. "CAD, historically, is very expensive and could take weeks or months to learn," said Rob Stevens, vice president of marketing at GrabCAD. Now, "instead of big complicated software, users can launch the software from a browser, so it is much more accessible."
Starting today, GrabCAD users can access the 2D AutoCAD 360 by selecting DXF and DWG files in Workbench. The Fusion 360 3D design editing functionality will be available in the coming weeks. Initially, both products will be free for users. In July, GrabCAD plans to roll out a pricing model.
You can get a free trial of Fusion 360 and a free trial of GrabCAD Workbench to test this out for yourself.
Posted in 3D Software
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