Designing custom extrusion frames in Fusion often requires very specific part lengths. While many parts come from catalogs like McMaster-Carr, they do not always offer the exact size you need for your project. This guide shows you how to use the Reanchor command to change parts to any length you want. You will learn how to move your measurement points so your parts fit your design perfectly. This method is much faster than drawing every part from scratch. It allows you to fo

Finite Element Analysis, or FEA, is a way to test your designs before you build them. It breaks a 3D model into thousands of tiny pieces called elements. The software then applies math equations to each small piece to see how it reacts to stress or heat. By combining these small results, the software predicts how your whole project will behave in the real world. This process helps engineers find weak spots and fix them early. Using these tools saves time and money by preventi

As a designer or engineer working with Fusion, the ability to customize your drawing settings can be a game-changer. From adjusting text heights and line types to automating drawing creation, the drawing settings in Fusion offer a wealth of options to optimize your workflow and create professional-looking technical drawings. In this comprehensive blog post, we'll dive deep into the various drawing settings available in Fusion and explore how you can leverage them to streamlin

As a long-time Fusion user, I'm often tasked with creating complex sheet metal parts and assemblies. One particular challenge that comes up frequently is the need to design a 90° elbow unit in sheet metal. While Fusion's built-in Flange command makes this process relatively straightforward, there's a catch - the Flange tool can only loft between two profiles, leaving us in a bind when we need to create a more intricate elbow shape. In this in-depth blog post, I'll walk you th

Introduction As a designer or engineer, you know the importance of having accurate material information in your CAD models and drawings. But what happens when the default material library doesn't include the specific material you need? In this guide, we'll walk you through the process of creating a custom physical material in Fusion, ensuring your designs and documentation accurately reflect the real-world materials you're using. The Challenge of Mismatched Materials One of t

Users have asked for a dark theme in Fusion for a long time. That bright white background can strain the eyes during long design sessions. This guide shows you how to switch on dark mode in Fusion. You'll learn to tweak themes for better comfort on your eyes. Also, check out the new 16-part Fusion getting started series on Autodesk's YouTube channel. It teaches sketching, modeling, drawings, manufacturing, and more by building a fishing reel. Click here to see that series . N

Tip #1 - Don't use 3D Sketch unless you mean it You draw a line in sketch mode and a weird blue triad pops up and blocks your view. That's 3D sketch turned on by mistake. To turn it off, un-check the box in your sketch toolbar next to 3D Sketch. You will want to keep it off for normal 2D work. Save 3D sketch for special jobs like wiring paths through parts. Tip #2 - The Principle of Minimalist Sketching Overcrowded sketches can be confusing. Lines overlap, dimensions pile up

In this guide, we'll explore two key ways to position your stock model in a vice. First, you can use built-in joints and origins for quick snaps. Second, the constrain components tool lets you build custom holds step by step. Both methods fit different vices and workflows, so you can pick what suits your project. Method 1: Centering Stock Using Existing Joint Origins and the Joint Command Utilizing Pre-Built Joint Origins for Rapid Alignment Many Fusion sample vices come read

Imagine spending hours crafting tiny holes in a 3D model just to make a speaker grille look real in your render. You can skip all that hassle with smart cutout materials that give the same sharp look in seconds. Introduction: The Efficiency of Visual Realism in 3D Modeling Why Complex Geometry Hinders Rendering Workflow Building intricate patterns like speaker grilles with 3D sketches or patterns slows you down big time. You end up with bloated files that can crash your softw

You've printed a cool 3D model, but it comes out droopy and weak in one spot. That happened to me with a portable battery tray for the Starlink Mini. The design looked great, yet the print sagged along an edge. Let's fix that without starting over. Identifying the Print Failure: Sagging on a Complex Geometry This project came from Everlanders, a guy who shared a free design on YouTube for a battery tray that fits the Starlink Mini. It's a handy holder for off-grid setups, lik

Working with an existing complex surface model can be daunting. But what if you could strip it back to its core shape without hours of manual edits? That's where the Untrim command in Fusion shines. It lets you reclaim simplicity for tasks like building molds or forming tools. In this guide, we'll walk through turning a detailed imported model into a clean base form. You'll learn to use Offset Face, Untrim, and Trim together. By the end, you'll handle tough geometry with ease

Ever struggled to pick out the same group of parts in an assembly over and over? It wastes time, right? You end up clicking through layers of the browser or hunting for scattered components. Selection sets fix that. They let you save groups of items for quick access. In Fusion, a selection set acts like a custom folder. It holds your chosen components so you can grab them fast. Understanding the Basics: Creating Your First Selection Set Locating the Selection Set Feature You

Ever wondered how to simulate the snap cap onto a pencil sharpener and wondered how software like Fusion can mimic that twist and lock? A...

Tackling a tricky 3D model from a flat drawing can feel overwhelming, like piecing together a puzzle without all the edges. But what if...

Fusion custom tables let you build flexible data displays inside drawings. They pull info from your model to create tables that act like...

Importing images into Fusion for design work used to be a real hassle. You'd likely need another program, like Adobe Illustrator or...

Parametric wooden panels add a unique, organic feel to spaces. Think of lobbies with those flowing wood designs. But how do you make...

Have you ever needed to clean up a complex 3D model? Maybe you're preparing a part for a simulation. Or perhaps you just want your...

Do you often wonder about the "best" way to design in Fusion? Should you use the Hole command or use a sketch with a circle? The truth...

Fusion's sketching environment holds a powerful tool called "Include 3D Geometry." This command is often overlooked, but it lets you...