Working with Text in Fusion

Creating text in Fusion 360 is a powerful way to add custom details, labels, or engravings to your designs. Whether you're making a nameplate or decorative lettering, understanding how to work with text can open up many possibilities. This guide walks through essential tips, advanced techniques, and common issues so you can get the most out of Fusion's text tools.

Understanding the Basics of Text Creation in Fusion

Starting with a simple text sketch is the first step. Click on the sketch menu and choose Create Text. You'll see a dialog box with two options: Regular Text and Text on a Path. For standard text, draw a box to define where the text will fit, then type your message.

From here, you select a font. Fusion offers simple fonts, good for engraving or etching, and Windows fonts, like Arial or Times New Roman, used for more typical purposes. Make sure to pick a font that suits your project.

You can change the font style to bold, italic, or both. Adjust the size of the text with the height setting. Want to add space between characters? Use the character spacing setting, which is a percentage. For example, put in 50% to make letters 50% farther apart. Reset to zero for normal spacing.

Text Alignment and Positioning

Alignment helps position your text exactly where you want it. You can keep it left, centered, or right aligned within the sketch box. Vertical alignment options include top, middle, or bottom. These tools let you fine-tune where your text sits in your design.

To place the text precisely, constrain it to points or edges. For example, you can set the text to be coincident with a corner or line. This keeps everything aligned neatly, especially if you need multiple text pieces or symmetrically placed labels.

Working with Text on a Path

For more artistic designs, you may want to follow a curved line or shape. Use shape tools like three-point arcs, splines, or even complex curves to generate your path. This path is where your text will sit.

Draw your path and then merely select Create Text on a Path. Fusion prompts you to choose the path. You can then type your message, like "Fusion" or any custom phrase.

Configuring Text on a Path

Once the text is on the path, you can set it to align left, right, or centered. The default is centered, but changing the alignment depends on your design needs.

The size of the text can be adjusted to fit the path by enabling fit to path. When this is active, the text scales automatically to match the length of your curve. If you edit the path later, the text will update too, keeping things connected.

Converting Text into 3D Features

Extruding and Revolving Text

Most users want their text to pop out or sit flush on a surface. After creating a text sketch, right-click the text and choose Press Pull. Drag the arrow to extrude your text into 3D.

You can also revolve text around an axis for a cool effect. Choose Revolve, select the text, then define the rotation axis.

Editing and Updating 3D Text

If you want to change the message or font after extrusion, simply go back into the sketch, edit the text, and finish. Then, update your model or recalculate toolpaths. Always keep the original sketch editable for easy adjustments.

Advanced Techniques: Engraving, VCarving, and Embossing

Engraving with Toolpaths

To engrave text onto a surface, choose an engraving tool like a V-bit. In the Manufacture workspace, select your tool and create a new engraving toolpath. Then, just choose the text as the profile and Fusion will create the v-carve engraving of the text for you.

Embossing Text for Surface Detail

Embossing adds a raised or recessed text onto a surface. To do this, select your text and the Emboss option. Fusion projects the text onto the surface, creating a 3D boss or cavity.

However, complex or organic fonts may cause errors. When that happens, it's better to use another method or adjust the font for compatibility.

Exploding Text: Last Resort Technique

When to Use Explode Text

Sometimes, you need really detailed or complex surface work that simple tools can’t do. Exploding the text can give you control over the individual lines and curves.

It’s a handy way to mimic detailed engravings or carvings, especially if you're working with unique fonts or shapes that don’t work with default tools.

How to Explode and Edit Text

To explode, right-click your text and select Explode. Fusion projects the font onto your sketch as many small line segments. These can be trimmed or modified but cannot be changed like a normal text object.

After exploding, you can trim overlapping lines or refine the shape. Be aware that once exploded, the original text isn’t editable anymore, so be sure everything looks right first.

Best Practices and Warnings

Always finalize the font, size, and placement before exploding. Exploding makes the text as locked sketch geometry, making edits extremely difficult. Use this method only when necessary, and plan accordingly.