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01.05 Autodesk Fusion

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Fusion 360 is a parametric modeling program combined with CAM output for CNC milling, laser cutting, and 3D printing that simplifies going from digital ideas inside the computer to physical output.

Autodesk Fusion QuickStart Orientation & Setup

The basic Fusion workflow follows the pattern of making a 2D sketch and then extruding 3D features from the profiles of the sketch. To edit a form in Fusion it is best to edit the original sketch if possible.

Sketches are created on a plane or on the face of an existing part. Then 2D geometry is generally drawn to create a profile. The profile is then used to create 3D geometry or to modify existing geometry.

Fusion Viewing and Navigation

  • Orbit - Move a virtual camera or view around a 3D model in space on a the screen.
    • Hold Shift + Middle Mouse Button
  • Pan - Move the virtual camera parallel to the plane of the screen in any direction.
    • Hold Middle Mouse Button
  • Zoom - Moving the virtual camera closer or farther away from a 3D model on the screen.
    • Scroll Middle Mouse Button

Fusion 360 Sculpting

In addition to traditional parametric CAD modeling tools, Fusion 360 also has a sculpting workspace that uses t-splines to make organic forms.

Fusion 360 Rendering

Fusion 360 has a robust local and cloud rendering engine with built in materials. Some materials are fully 3D mapped and seamlessly cover complex shapes and forms. Get started with basic rendering in Fusion 360

Parametric Modeling

Parametric modeling allows the use of variables or parameters to stand in for hard coded dimensions in the 3D model. Instead of defining a dimension “height” as 50mm one could define “height” as “width x 2” where width = 25mm.

Parametric Formulas for Fusion 360

Geodesic Formula for Fusion 360

golden_ratio = (1+sqrt(5))/2 length = width * golden_ratio width = sqrt(4*sphere_radius^2/(1+golden_ratio^2))

Fusion Modeling Tutorials

3D Printing Fusion Modeling Tutorials