Before I get into my tool update discussion, I should probably make sure we are all clear about what kind of architect I am. When people hear 'architect' they often think of someone who designs buildings. I think most architects do other things, but are fine with that assumption, because it simplifies introductions. Does anyone asking "What do you do?" at a party really want to hear, "I design underground pipes and sewage systems that assure poop flows smoothly throughout the city 365 days a year."

I typically design things that deploy to a harsh environment. Think military customers. A project could be a sustainable facility, a box on an airplane, or a bot w/sensors, servos and computers, etc.

There are a lot of similarities between what I do and what building architects do. We both design physical structures that need power, electrical distribution, air flows, cooling/heating, plumbing (maybe), stress and other environmental consideration handling.
The big difference is that building architecture is all about "people." My projects only care about people from the maintenance perspective. This means most architectural standards and building codes do not apply. If I design a space for a person to sleep or work in a supercomputer facility, I will consider office or residential codes, but my primary considerations will be the power, cooling, vibration needs of the supercomputer.

One of the reasons I like Fusion 360 is that after a decade the product really does provide an ability to quickly design many layers of systems. The outer layer can be a simple facility, a bot or box. F360 projects can model components within components, e.g., a bot with servos and electronics, a box with sensors and other electronics, a facility with a supercomputer and a cot. Sure you have to spend a little time up front drawing and modeling build components, but once that's accomplished, the workflow is pretty smooth.

My current toolset is:

1. Project Management: OmniPlan
2. 2D Sketches: paper, OmniGraffle, Fusion360
3. 3D "Product" CAD and rendering: Fusion360 (or SolidWorks)
4. 3D "Facility" CAD and rendering: Fusion360 / AutoCAD
5. Hardware Simulation: Fusion 360 and customer tools
6. Bill of materials, order tracking: Numbers/Excel
7. Hardware detail design Fusion 360, OmniGraffle, Numbers (for data)
8. CAM: Fusion 360 and whatever software comes with the 3D printer/laser/lathe/milling/cutting machine(s)
9. Build documentation: Scrivener, Keynote, OmniGraffle, Pages
10. Testing: Customer tools, custom scripts

Here is why I am looking into new tools:

1. I switched to a new M1 Mac and after migration, my Autodesk apps no longer worked. Fusion 360 was on subscription, so I simply re-installed. But AutoCAD 2015 was dead without a perpetual software option.
2. I typically work with two sets of tools, the Customer's and my own. The customer tools almost always need to work in an off-Internet environment. So if the project is unclassified, I do the first design prototype with my own tools and deliver electronic documents and design exports to the government's off-line customer. The problem is that government projects are becoming increasingly agile and on-site, so I still need perpetually licensed tools that can work offline. Autodesk seems intent on eliminating perpetual licenses.
3. I looked into adding AutoCAD to my Fusion 360 subscription and found that not only was it pricey ($1,775/yr) there was no reduced cost "upgrade" option.
4. Autodesk just added a new "Flex" subscription option based on 'Tokens" that I thought might help, but it was even more expensive.
5. Over the next few years I will transition my work from military/government to sustainable/residential-small business. Think buildings with smart controllers, bots, indoor farms, solar, DC power, water recycling. This means building codes and BIM will be much more important than it has been in the past.
6. Finally, when I started looking at new tools, I realized a lot has changed has since I last looked outside the Autodesk bubble (10 years ago). Notable changes include the SketchUp ecosystem, VR, real-time rendering based on unreal engine, Twinmotion and other game technologies, and finally more fully integrated CAD+BIM software alternatives such as Graphisoft's Archicad and Hexagon/Bricsys' BricsCAD

• SketchUp BIM
⁃ References:
⁃ https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/top-10-house-modeling-extensions-sketchup-arka-roy/
⁃ ConDoc / Michael Brightman - https://condoctools.com/portfolio/
⁃ ConDoc Tools - ConDoc extends the capabilities of stock SketchUp with a proven system for organizing 3D models, tools to automate tedious tasks, and the resources you need to create professional drawings. $25/mo, $250/yr
⁃ PlusSpec - https://plusspec.com/
⁃ PlusSpec is the most powerful, affordable and easy to learn 3D BIM/Virtual Design Construction & Estimating software for the Design & Construction Industry. From Design & Sales to Estimating & Procurement, PlusSpec offers one integrated solution created to help you become more efficient & profitable. $95/mo, $750/yr
⁃ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNmWRGXr8ts
⁃ BimBits 3D Model & Texture Library - https://3dlibrary.rubysketch.com
⁃ warrenrjones
⁃ s2seven-B
⁃ 1001 bit Tools - Versatile free toolset http://www.1001bit.com/pro/download.html
⁃ 30 day trial key - c6eeaa08439.5e06d226288.d449b25508d.fbbf1924883.7c338765068.70ac2ff50f1.2978e0c474d.3cc51494877.4912f5649ec.867cd58473f.293508050a1.5c8f5ac56b7.6fb84ae4732.08a352948e0.af53d4a480b.1b0a69d474c.63573d0488f.3001223480a.89c48c46226.77c81848467
⁃ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJXXCacXjUQ
⁃ Medeek BIM
⁃ The mdkBIM suite combines all three extensions (Wall, Truss and Foundation) into one convenient package that can be purchased at a fairly sizable discount. The mdkBIM suite includes the full permanent version of all three extensions and will also include any future add-on plugins or modules. Free upgrades to the latest versions of all three extensions can be downloaded at any time, within one year of the initial purchase date, by logging into the Account Manager. Once the initial (one year) license period has expired the licenses for each extension are renewed separately at their current renewal prices. Purchase the mdkBIM Extension Suite [Permanent License] ($280.00) at the following link: https://design.medeek.com/login/login_html.pl?action=buyplugin&action2=mdkbim&action3=full&rsnum=na