AD downgrades Fusion 360

[CNCAppsJames]

does that include 5axis toolpaths if so that's a pretty good deal
one thing that's a real deal breaker for me.
With AD's subscription model, if you hit a rough patch and your subscription expires, you've got nothing to climb out
of the hole with.
If I can't pay Mastercam maintenance, I may not get the next set of updates, but I still have programming software
and control of my files
 

I believe it did before they partnered with Moduleworks and they only had a path or two. I'll see if I can find a more up to date price that includes the ModuleWorks stuff (not including the Blade and Port Expert paths).

Your hole with Mastercam will come when you want to get back on maintenance. If that rough patch goes for too long, it gets prohibitively expensive, in which case TCO goes through the roof. However, with MC... you ALWAYS have control over your files and in a severe pinch you can always borrow a buddy's workstation shodul the need arise which is challenging at best in a Fusion360 scenario because of the whole cloud thing.

[CNCAppsJames]

Bingo, the benefit of the perpetual license. You're not in a position to be held to ransom.

Yes and no.

Yes in that you can always at the very least least maintain that last version you were on active maintenance with so long as hardware issues don't become an issue. I can see the prominence of computers coming with USB-C only and driver availability becoming an issue in the not too distant future.

No in that once that maintenance lapses the clock starts ticking on when you will pay for the software again to get it current. I think it's down to what... only 2 or 3 versions now?

[TSmcam]

Yes and no.

Yes in that you can always at the very least least maintain that last version you were on active maintenance with so long as hardware issues don't become an issue. I can see the prominence of computers coming with USB-C only and driver availability becoming an issue in the not too distant future.

No in that once that maintenance lapses the clock starts ticking on when you will pay for the software again to get it current. I think it's down to what... only 2 or 3 versions now?

Indeed. Although in reality, I'm seeing end users out there who have very old versions of software still running on workstations that in themselves are very old. Of course, the longer it is left, the harder it is to keep it going.

Regardless, imho, subscription still sucks ass LOL

[CNCAppsJames]

Regardless, imho, subscription still sucks ass LOL

Damn straight it does. The fact you can no longer purchase a seat of Adobe Photoshop to own is complete and total fucking bullshit! ANd it ALL started with those assholes!

[gcode]

No in that once that maintenance lapses the clock starts ticking on when you will pay for the software again to get it current. I think it's down to what... only 2 or 3 versions now?

The penalties for lapsing are severe.
I think if you are 3 versions behind, it's cheaper to buy a new seat than bring the old seat up to date.
In a way that sucks, in another way, it's more fair to the people who always stay current.
Occasionally, they will run a maintenance amnesty sale, but I have never been familiar with the details.

I used to let my SolidWorks lapse for 2 or three years, then talk them into renewing with no penalties
or back maintenance, but that doesn't fly anymore.
 

[gcode]

Damn straight it does. The fact you can no longer purchase a seat of Adobe Photoshop to own is complete and total fucking bullshit! ANd it ALL started with those assholes!

It's the same with Adobe Acrobat..I think it's up to $25/month now.
I told then to go pound sand.

[CNCAppsJames]

It's the same with Adobe Acrobat..I think it's up to $25/month now.
I told then to go pound sand.

I need Acrobat Pro to create compatible forms and a few other reasons and if my company wasn't covering the nut, I'd be looking at other options for sure. Adobe.... I loathe those bastards. The fact you can't even buy it for purchase anymore... FTP's!