As an FPGA designer, I can't disagree more with your statement of their business model. They make money on chips. That is indisputable.
My last 3 designs used the vendor's free software, except for some IP we bought (IP=Intellectual property, a specific core). You might think of the IP as a library you would buy as a software engineer.
My last 3 designs used the vendor's free software, except for some IP we bought (IP=Intellectual property, a specific core). You might think of the IP as a library you would buy as a software engineer.