Not Engineer v Designer, But Engineer and Designer

A couple of years ago, I met the crazy/bright guys behind a podcast called Engineer vs. Designer. The title exploits the tension that sometimes/always exists between designers and engineers.

Well, Autodesk has delivered what it calls with maybe with some modesty “the world’s first cloud-based software created specifically for people looking to fuse stunning aesthetic design with great product engineering.” Autodesk Fusion 360 brings together capabilities typically found in separate mechanical, industrial and conceptual design tools into a cloud-based service.

“We’re in the midst of a new industrial revolution that places a premium on the ability to design and engineer products that are both beautiful and functional,” said Robert “Buzz” Kross, senior vice president at Autodesk. “With Fusion 360, there is no longer a compromise between industrial and mechanical design. Users get both in one tool for the first time.”

Fusion 360 offers an intuitive user experience, secure access to design information, and integrated social collaboration features.

Fusion 360 is available immediately. It is free for the next 90 days, and upon expiration of the 90-day initial offer will be available for purchase from the Autodesk e-store for $25 per month, per user, based on annual contract commitment. Special pricing is available for students and entrepreneurs.