This is just an FYI Solidworks for Makers versions have a special going on $24 for a year of cad and cam. I know its not talked about here much but maybe someone may want to jump in for that price. There are two plans so look carefully before hitting buy.
Note for Canadians that the price is more than double at $60 per year.
Do Canadians still get the 1/2 off with the SUMMER50 promo code? I was still showing 48 last night but when I entered the code it took 1/2 off. https://www.solidworks.com/solution/solidworks-makers
I have been messing around with it for a few days and following their training videos. It is complicated. I like the part tree a lot more than Fusion 360 and with the $24 Maker version I can export most file types. Something that always bugged me in Fusion because to to that was $680 a year and I was using the free version. The training courses from inside Solidworks Connected are just plain Solidworks tutorials because the interface is almost the same. Once I figured that out, there are a lot more training videos on youtube to watch. I don’t think its for people who want to be up and running in an afternoon, but I enjoy learning something new.
Does the Maker version include CAM or is it strictly CAD? I am reluctant to spend $60 CAD when I am not clear on the various restrictions placed on the lower priced lower functioning software products.
I use the CAM side of Fusion on everything I design for the mill. I have a fully paid version but even so, a lot of stuff is behind additional pay walls. The manufacturing plugin/addition has some very nice features but that would bring the yearly cost to over $2k and that just isn’t feasible for someone not producing anything for sale. If I was making a living with this then it would be worthwhile but I am not.
There are two plans and one includes cam. All you have to do is follow the link and read for yourself. Also I don’t think its $60CAD. I think the code will still work for 1/2 off, but no one has answered yet. That would be sad if the 1/2 off only applied to the USA.
In case people still haven’t figured it out yet clicking the button on solidworks website still charges full price. They expect you to actually enter the promo code SUMMER50 to see the half off discount before check out.
I tried entering the code and it would not take it.
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That is a bummer about the promo code not working for Canada! Thanks for posting the result. I still like the software much better than F360 and so far… next year with or without the promo, I am continuing this software. Even at $60 its a lot better than $680 F360 tries to push on me to get basic functionality. The only restrictions to the basic software I have found so far was with Solidworks cloud drive sharing and some of the official online training (there are still 100+ training videos you can access though Solidworks training). The cloud sharing doesn’t matter as I can export files to my PC and send them by email or google drive if needed and training is easy to find on YouTube. I was watching a beginner solidworks playlist from India last night. Surprisingly easy to follow even though his version was the pro Solidworks edition and 2022. The basic interface is close enough that once you find the buttons, its easy to follow along and do the training.
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