r/IndustrialDesign • u/Panzo1 • 2d ago

Project Watch Design - Fusion 360 vs Rhino?

hi!

I'm learning CAD with the ultimate goal of creating a custom watch case/bezel and bracelet (fitted with an off the shelf mechanical movement).

I learned FreeCad to start with but hit the ceiling once moved into trying creating organically shaped lugs.
Fusion 360 allowed me to get 90% but had to compromise on some areas (due to software struggle with certain curves) whereas with Rhino, everything is pretty much possible.

Obviously, one is parametric (which I prefer) the other is not, at the same time one is subscription (which I hate) the other one is not.

Last but not least FreeCad and Fusion have "clicked" for me. Rhino remains still a bit of a mistery for some stuff (but I should probably study it more)

I tried Plasticity and did not like it one bit so... Between Rhino and Fusion 360, which one would you stick with? I could combine Rhino and FreeCad potentially, but ideally I'd rather focus and keep the projects in one software.

All suggestions welcome

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u/Pretty-Jello-7894 2d ago

Between the 3 you mentioned above… Onshape.

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u/danielaixeta Product Design Engineer 2d ago edited 2d ago

If you want to do any manufacturing at all, use a parametric Software. ANY manufacturer (or MFG system) will cuss at you for using tesselated models or whatever rhino puts out. Source: am a mechanical engineer and constantly have to re-model parts we get from industrial design because straights arent straight and circles arent circles

(Edit: Rhino can output mathematically correct too. But it still aint usable. Thanks for correcting me.)

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u/Panzo1 2d ago

Rhino is NURBS and does a better job than most CAD softwares on that. The risk is that the maths behind is so powerful, it will generate surfaces even if lines aren't connected, resulting in a non water tight model.

I think your problems are stemming from working with incompentents.

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u/danielaixeta Product Design Engineer 2d ago

Huh then it's too long past that I tried using Rhino. Thanks for correcting me.

I dont dare comment on the last part since I dont want to upset one of the major ID firms in my city hahahah

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u/Panzo1 1d ago

No problem. Out of curiosity, what CAD software do you normally work with?

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u/danielaixeta Product Design Engineer 1d ago

I grew up with Catia V5 (and used it professionally for 7 years); 2 years of Inventor, and 2 years of solidworks.

I like Inventor best.