Autodesk Fusion 360 Basics

Tags PSU

Summary

This article shows you the basics of using Fusion 360 including some helpful tips when getting started.

Content

Fusion 360 is a large cloud-centric desktop app with a suite, with many workflows possible. It excels at modeling solid objects with vectors (like SketchUp) and boolean operators (add/subtract/cut/loft/etc, like Tinkercad), and T-spline / Quadface / Mesh editing (similar to Meshmixer). It is designed to be a catch-all program for a wide variety of applications.

Fusion 360 can be hard to approach; as hybrid parametric design software, one can model forms by sculpting, freehand drawing, or by using spatial constraints. With so few "rules", it can be hard to plan out a successful approach to a project. We recommend taking the time to learn parametric design first (using constraints and defining dimensions, as opposed to freehand manipulation). This approach provides more "rules" one can use to plan a design.

Use Boolean math (the combine tool) to your advantage. It is easy to overlook, but often the simplest way to manipulate a form is to make another shape as a "tool" for cutting, adding, etc.

Leverage internet resources including LinkedIn Learning.com. Greater success comes with learning to efficiently use resources; if it takes more than 5-10 minutes to figure something out, cut to the chase, and try a quick web search. It is good practice, to begin with, and is essential to have adequate resources set up as part of your workflow.








Details

Article ID: 3008
Created
Fri 10/2/20 5:20 PM
Modified
Thu 12/3/20 9:02 AM
Applicable Institution(s):
Plymouth State University (PSU)