Here I’ll teach you how to use Autodesk Fusion 360 & all its functions.
(This is my explanation for using Autodesk Fusion 360 witch belongs to Autodesk. If you want to see their tutorials on how to use the program click here)
————————————————————————-
What is Autodesk Fusion 360?
Autodesk Fusion 360 is a cloud-based 3D CAD, CAM, and CAE platform for product development. It combines industrial and mechanical design, simulation, collaboration, and machining in a single package. It’s available for Windows and Mac OS. It isn’t free, but there is a 3 year free trial for education if you want to use it. (3 year Trial)
————————————————————————-
Components Of The Workspace
The workspace is created from 6 parts, that I’ll explain to you how to use them. First, let’s have a look at it.
—————————————————————————————-
Work Area
The work area is just a 3D space where you can see the sketches, bodies & components. It doesn’t have special features to it except that you can move your view in the 2D space with a tool that I’ll talk about in Work Area Tools. So, in the space, you can work with & without a grid – your choice. I recommend for more detailed projects to use grid & for less detailed projects – not to use grid. When you have a grid you can see the X & Y axes & the center point. Some people recommend that when you start a sketch to start from the center point, but I say that it depends on your style of work.
—————————————————————————————-
Tools
—————————————————————————————-
Data Panel
From this panel, you have access to your cloud storage of objects. When you save one there you can open it and download it from any device with this account. On a PC you can open your projects from Fusion and if you want to see or redact an object from a PC without Fusion, you can access them from https://a360.autodesk.com/ by logging in to your account. They can be accessed from there and on a mobile device, but there is a mobile app for Fusion(Google App Store, Apple App Store), which makes it easier.
—————————————————————————————-
Timeline
The timeline is displaying the process of making one design. There will be displayed when wich tool was being used and you can modify it by dragging a certain feature before or after another, but this can make errors if the timing is not right. Also, you can review the process with the buttons on the left.
—————————————————————————————-
Browser
The browser displays the contents of one project. You can delete some of them, but not all. And if you do you can create errors, like those in the timeline, but not if you’re careful what you delete.
—————————————————————————————-
Comments
The comments are usually used when you do group projects or if you have a course project. From there you can write a comment about a certain part for the teacher or remind yourself what needs to be finished!
————————————————————————-
How to create an object?
This depends on what you’re making. If you want to make a solid body, you can make it in two ways – with or without a sketch. With a sketch, you can make a very detailed object. Without one, you can create basic forms, but combined they can make a very good looking object, but also a useful one.
————————————————————————-
How to make a sketch?
You can make your sketch not only in Fusion but in almost every graphic software too(like Adobe Illustrator). Then when you have a sketch you can use the extrude tool to make the body, but you can also use Revolve, Loft, etc.(depends on what you’re making and how you’re making it)
————————————————————————-
What to use – Autodesk Fusion 360 or SolidWorks?
This question is very massive on the internet nowadays, about which is better. Fusion has many great features that SolidWorks hasn’t, like Mesh mode or the Form mode. But on the other hand, SolidWorks is a very powerful program with so many good features too, like the improved simulations that Fusion hasn’t. Personally, I use both programs and I can work with both of them equally well. It doesn’t matter to me what program I’ll use more. Both programs have their advantages and disadvantages, which makes them both equally good programs. It depends on the person’s style of working which program they want to use.