Welcome to the Fusion 360 tips and tricks guide for the Design workspace,
Volume 1.
This guide is designed to help you get the most out of your CAD
modelling capabilities and is open to users of all levels. At the end of this,
hopefully you would have picked up some extra ideas that will improve your
overall productivity and allow you to design more and better. This guide is
broken down into rough stages of experience with using Fusion 360, however all
users will find each of these tips useful if they’re not already using them.
What is Fusion 360?
Fusion 360 is a cloud-based 3D modeling, CAD, CAM, CAE, and PCB software platform for product design and manufacturing.
Design and engineer products how you want to ensure aesthetics, form, fit, and function
- Engineer, design, and create anything with comprehensive electronics and PCB design tools
- Save time and money and get quality parts out the door faster
Who uses Autodesk Fusion 360?
Industrial designers, mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, machinists, hobbyists, and startups use Autodesk Fusion 360.
Go from design to manufacture faster
Flexible 3D CAD
Fusion 360 enables you to explore many iterations quickly with easy-to-use CAD software.
Integrated CAD/CAM
Produce high-quality CNC machined parts, and additively manufacture builds using FFF or PBF for metal 3D printing.
Unified PCB design
Gain all the advantages of a full-featured schematic capture, electronics design, and mechanical CAD with Fusion 360.
Seamless 3D simulation
Test your designs to ensure they survive real world conditions. Simulate digitally and reduce prototyping costs.
Explorative generative design tools
Explore many manufacturing-ready outcomes meeting your design specifications through generative design.
Instant-on data management
Use integrated collaboration tools to bring teams together and manage product data.
Operating System
Apple® macOS™ Monterey 12.0, Big Sur 11.x*; Catalina 10.15; Mojave v10.14 (learn more about Apple Security Updates)
Microsoft® Windows® 8.1 (64 bit) (until January 2023)**
Microsoft Windows Windows 11, 10 (64-bit)
CPU
x86-based 64-bit processor (e.g. Intel Core i, AMD Ryzen series), 4 cores, 1.7 GHz or greater; 32-bit not supported
ARM-based processors partially supported via Rosetta 2 only
Installing Fusion 360 on multiple computers?
With a subscription to Fusion 360 software, you can install it on up to 3 computers or other devices. However, only the named user can sign in and use that software on a single computer at any given time. Please refer to the Software License Agreement (US Site) for more information.
Extensions available at separate cost:
Machining Extension
Advanced manufacturing tools, include 3 to 5-axis strategies, toolpath optimization, and process automation.
Nesting & Fabrication Extension
Create optimized and associative multi-sheet layouts for sheet metal and non-sheet metal parts automation.
Simulation Extension
Get unlimited access to cloud solves. Use structural, thermal, explicit, and injection molding simulations.
Signal Integrity Extension
Optimize PCB design electromagnetic performance by controlling the impedance of every critical transmission line.
Product Design Extension
Easily create complex geometry to enhance the performance and aesthetics of your products.
Manage Extension
Execute change orders, release management, automated part numbering, and bill of materials management.