Fusion 360

This page will help you install and learn Fusion 360. This is a very powerful and free tool that will help any maker.

Fusion 360 is...

• A cloud enabled collaboration platform that enables designers to instantly share, review project data, manage versions, find where used and share ideas on any device at any time.
• A 3D CAM application with both freeform and solid modelling tools seamlessly integrated into one application.
• A 3D animation and rendering application.
• A CAM application for turning and milling operations.

It is all of those things in one application. It is the next generation, product innovation platform designed to work on Mac, PC and mobile devices.

Is Fusion 360 Free?

The Autodesk legal notices and trademarks defines an entitlement that covers hobbyists.

• Startup: If your entitlement has been designated as “Startup, ” You may use the service if You are (a) a company, startup, or home-based business that generates less than $100,000 (or equivalent in other currency) per year from the total sale of goods or services, or (b) an individual using the service for personal non-commercial projects, hobbies, or personal learning.
• The free Start-Up/ Enthusiast licenses allow you to access Fusion 360 with a yearly subscription after the trial period has ended. You can use this license if you are a small business making less than $100,000 per year (or equivalent), or if you're a hobbyist using Fusion 360 for non-commercial purposes.

Installation

See this page for instructions on how to install and configuration Fusion 360 for first use

Books

• Fusion 360 for Makers: Design Your Own Digital Models for 3D Printing and CNC Fabrication

Helpful Additions

• The 3Dconnection SpaceNavigator 3D Mouse is a very helpful addition if you plan on being more than a casual user]
• The 3Dconnection SpaceMouse Wireless Kit is a step up and gets you a wireless (bluetooth) version of the SpaceNavigator as well as a traditional mouse.
• The 3Dconnection SpaceMouse Pro 3D Mouse should be considered if you plan on mastering Fusion 360 and use the application on a very regular basis.

• Lar Christensen has a nice YouTube video that covers these helpful additions.

YouTube Learning

• Lars Christensen is very popular on YT for his videos covering Fusion 360. He moves pretty quick and does assume some basic working knowledge of Fusion.
• Paul McWhorter is also on YT and has a really good series for beginners. He goes much slower and is a really good instructor.
• Autodesk also has videos on YouTube that cover beginner, intermediate and advance aspects of Fusion 360.
• Angus Deveson is Makers Muse on YT and is a very popular vlogger in the 3D Printing community. He has some good videos on the use of Fusion 360 in his CAD for Newbies series.

YouTube Videos by Paul McWhorter

• Beginner
  • Introduction to Fusion 360
  • First 3D Design
  • Understanding Constraints
  • Understanding the Move tool
  • Understanding Parametric Modeling and Design
  • Sketching on Offset and Orthogonal Planes
  • Using the Timeline

• Intermediate
  • Design 3D Printable Nuts and Bolts
  • Design Knurled Nut and Bolt for 3D Printer
  • Design Helical Gears for 3D Printing
  • Design Herringbone Gears for 3D Printing
  • Design Gear Box with Stacked Gears for 3D Printing
  • Creating and Using Tools for Complex 3D Shapes

YouTube Videos by Lars Christensen

• Tutorial for Beginners Part 1
• Tutorial for Beginners Part 2
• Tutorial for Beginners Part 3
• Beginner Tips, Tricks and Shortcut keys
• Get a Grip on Components, Bodies & Assemblies
• Understanding Bodies vs. Components
• How to use Sketch Constraints and Dimensions
• Create a Professional 2D Drawing
• Importing into Fusion

• How To Model...
  • a Whistle
  • a Lego
  • a Spark Plug
  • a Scewdriver
  • a Sprocket
  • Anything Round
  • a Bracket
  • Shop Vac Nozzle
  • Hose Cap
  • Tire Tread
  • a Funnel
  • a Key
  • a GoPro mount
  • a Traffic Cone
  • a Magnifying Glass
  • a Phone Stand

YouTube Videos by Autodesk]

• Fusion 360 for Beginners
• Sketching Basics
• Designing a Lasercut Laptop Stand

YouTube Videos by Makers Muse (Angus)

• Correctly Dimension Your Sketches
• How to use Contraints
• Extruding in Fusion 360
• Exporting STL files for 3D Printing
• Design and print a Maker Coin

YouTube Adafruit Layer by Layer]

• Parametric Arcade Button Box
• Using McMaster-Carr Hardware within Fusion 360

YouTube Videos by Others

• Modify an STL in Fusion 360
• Patterns & Rotate Extrusions - making chess pieces