Re: There are interesting developments on the horizon
If you really want to do organically shaped sculptures and the like you can go with blender, but as an engineer I'd recommend learnig Fusion.
Thanks for that. My interest is actually more in the realm of creating 3D images. For the moment, for instance, I would like to create a sphere with a segment cut out like they use when explaining the earth's composition, and add simple text to the layers so visible. For the moment, it appears I'll have to spend a good week getting used to the very basics of the Blender interface, but as an upside it appears I can then turn such an image into a full animation.
If, however, I was after creating parts I think I'd follow your advice and use a proper CAD/CAM package as that is likely to be more directly functional and focused on creating real life objects. Despite my lack of experience with computer CAD/CAM, I did spend my youth reading tech drawings so I have a very good grip on 3D structures (I've been doing it in my head since I was about 11 :) ).
Biting the hand that feeds IT
