Autodesk Launches Project Leopard, But Still Leaves Questions Unanswered

When Onshape came out swinging earlier this year, it was speculated that whether or not users chose to use the full browser CAD program or not, it would change the greater landscape of MCAD pricing and licensing structures forever. As we nudge closer towards closing out 2015, that’s looking to be the case – even if these companies choose to stay behind the safe veil of “beta” and “invite-only” and continue to leave many questions left unanswered.

Just a couple of months ago at the SolidWorks 2016 Launch Event in Boston, newly-minted CEO Gian Paolo Bassi demonstrated running the latest edition of SolidWork directly from a browser – specifically, a browser on a MacBook Pro. Although there is still no mention of what this means to existing SolidWorks users, motivated users can achieve the same effect through a FRAME subscription for $10/month. Again, questions left unanswered.

Now, Autodesk has nudged their way back into the “CAD in the Cloud” circle with their interpretation of what full browser CAD user experience should be like: Project Leopard (AKA “Fusion 360 in the Cloud”).

Despite some updated toolsets and configurations, those already familiar with Fusion 360 (who would consider it to be “best” by some standards) should have no problem picking up Project Leopard as Autodesk continues to roll out beta access over the coming months.

Clip: Develop3D

But although some users might be quick to note that Fusion 360 is, in fact, already a Cloud-based CAD system, it is not, however, a full browser CAD system. The difference here is huge – and although Onshape claims to be “the first and only full-cloud 3D CAD system” – lessons in hardware development (particularly smartphones) have taught us that it doesn’t necessarily come down to who was first; many people will eventually only care about who does it best.

So while the move to full browser CAD makes perfect sense as today’s modern workers continue to eschew stationary powerhouse workstations for mobile razor-thin laptops and tablets, the real question – one of the only questions that people care about – is pricing. In the meantime, you can head over to Project Leopard to sign up for beta access.

Let’s hope that 2016 will be the year of answering some of these most pressing questions.

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