(Weighted heavily toward career value, not user experience).
Installing NX Student Edition is a nightmare . Unlike a simple login (Fusion) or a key file (SolidWorks), NX often requires running a local "License Server" on your laptop. If your antivirus blocks it, or you change WiFi networks, the license crashes. Expect to spend 1-2 hours troubleshooting installation. nx student edition
The Student Edition is not crippled feature-wise. You get access to parametric modeling, sheet metal, surface modeling (Class-A surfacing), and basic Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and CAM (toolpath simulation). You are learning the exact interface Boeing engineers use. (Weighted heavily toward career value, not user experience)
The built-in ray tracing studio is excellent. You can produce portfolio-ready renders without needing KeyShot or Blender. The Bad (Cons) 1. The "Windows 98" UI For a software that costs $10k+ for commercial licenses, the interface feels ancient. Icons are small, menus are hidden in "Ribbon Bars," and customization is tedious. Coming from Fusion 360 or Onshape, NX feels like using a spreadsheet to draw. If your antivirus blocks it, or you change