Hi so general consensus is that the best solutions are Inventor or solidworks. I should steer clear of Fusion. What are the advantages/disadvantages of these 2 software?
In the mean time I'm going to check out Rhino/bobCAM.
My 2 cents on this....
SolidWorks is the most used midrange CAD software in the world, most if not all other CAD and CAM software can open native SW part and assembly files, no need to export in another format unless the software is to old to read current release of SW.
SW is also perpetual once it is installed it will run until the pc dies, thought it is locked to what version you purchased, what this means is no need to login via web to activate every month . You can get on subscription to have support, bug updates and get the next release.
SW now include CAM (must be on subscription) it is 2.5 D, you can get premium at an additional cost.
SW also has many Gold and CAM partners that either run inside SW or read the SW part and assembly directly and some even have links to the SW file and will let you know if the SW file changed to reload the data.
here are some of the Gold CAM that run inside: CAMWorks (engine of SWCAM), SolidCAM, MasterCAM for SW, BOBCAM for SW, VisualCAM for SW to name a few,
Now HSMWorks was a Gold Partner until AutoDesk bought them, still works as it always did but you have to buy Fusion 360 to get it but hey it is only $495 a year compared to the rest at alot more to buy and yearly maintenance.
as for Inventor I have never used, I do not run into it that much as SW has pretty much taken over AZ, I see more SolidEdge, NX and Catia because of the aerospace in AZ,.
Inventor is only subscription now, meaning you must pay every year to be able to keep using your files....
Inventor can do what ever you want and has CAM, which is based on HSMWorks, but again read the line above.
I have been a SW user since 97` so I am a bit bias towards SW but that's me, the other CAD or CAM combinations may work best for your needs or how they just jive in your brain on how they flow.
best of luck
lenny