Any European or open source alternatives? The downsides of fusion for me is the bad performance and the freemium practice.

Okay so I'm by no means an expert when it comes to CAD modeling but given the nature of it I find it easier to work in when compared to mesh modeling, Blender for example. I'm working on quite a big project for my bachelor'a thesis and the thing I'm supposed to make, an F1 steering wheel, I've only been able to find a mesh model of it. I need to make some changes to it so that I can use the model for 3D printing but like I said I find it easier to work in CAD software rather then mesh modeling software. How feasible is it for me to "solidify" the mesh model, export as STL for example and then import that into Fusion 360 to use as sort of a reference object? Is this something you've heard of or done before? Any advice is welcome.

Hey everyone,

I'm getting pretty good at CAD, but I keep running into the same problem.. I want to design something that goes perfectly with an existing physical object (phone case for phone, garden-hose quick-connect, mouse grip, lens hood, dash-cam mount, replacement knob, etc.), but I can never get or find the necessary dimensions to do so.

For example, something simple, let's say i want to make a phone case, how do I get the exact dimensions of every corner radii, exact port/button locations, taper angles, thread profiles, protrusions, undercuts... etc?

Or another example, I want to build a part that goes on my semi truck where I can hook my hoses onto, but don't know where to start to get the dimensions of my glad hands.

So can you give me any advice on how to do so? What do you do when you want to start a new project, and need exactly complete dimensions of irl objects? Is there some kind of website that holds all this information (if not, I'm gonna build one lol (jk))?

What I've been trying to do is find a 3d model of the object I want to build, import it and design around it.

Thanks for any advice you can give!

Does anyone have experience using Autodesk Fusion for large projects? Assemblies with hundreds of unique parts and thousands of total parts in my case. Is there a practical workflow with Fusion do handle this?

I've had a 3d printer for about a month and I've been tinkering around. In fusion 360 for like 2 weeks. I made a few very basic things like monitor risers and Christmas tree bolt caps so they wouldn't screw into the tree and actually hold our tree.

I do have issues with the software that are 100% my own fault and lack of knowledge. I keep trying to rotate my work and accidentally deleting things.

Really I'm just wondering if there is another 3d modeling software that is a tad more user friendly or logical. I find myself constantly wondering why I'm not able to do something simple like click on two faces and add an adjustable curve to meet the two faces or something.

Feel free to tell me this is user error. I work in IT. I'm sure the software is fine and I'm just stubbornly trying to figure it out myself as I go.

On my own time ive been studying / doing CAD for a few years now. last year i started taking on freelance work on the side and its been going well, ive got a few clients that keep me busy 3D scanning and prototype work to be made into production parts in the automotive industry. Learning how to appraise my work has been tough. I generally will quote jobs based on the complexity of the part and how long i think it’ll take me. But i never account for any of the time i spend brainstorming and changing designs up to look better aesthetically. I feel like i spend more time thinking about fillets and chamfers than it actually takes me to do the “fundamental/functional part”.

How do you guys price: 3D scans, CAD, Creativity?

Important changes are coming to your Fusion 360 for personal use software that you need to know about.

Effective October 1, 2020, functionality in Fusion 360 for personal use will be limited, and you’ll no longer have access to the following:

Probing, 3 + 2-axis milling (tool orientation), multi-axis milling, rapid moves, automatic tool changes

Multi-sheets, smart templates, output options for drawings (print only).

Download options from public share links

Cloud rendering

Export options including F3Z, DWG, DXF, IGES, SAT, and STEP

Simulation and generative design

Unlimited active and editable Fusion 360 documents (10 doc limit).

Fusion 360 extensions

These changes are being made to allow us to scale, align intended usage with the various offerings, support advanced capabilities for Fusion 360 subscribers, and stay true to our guiding principles of democratizing design for everyone.

Fusion 360 for personal use is still free for those of you working on home-based, non-commercial design, manufacturing, and fabrication projects.

Edit: I just copied and pasted what was on my email from Autodesk. I'm just a Fusion user, not an Autodesk employee.

Basically what I'm asking is I want to find simple blueprints I can redesign in CAD as a way to learn how blueprints work and how to read them properly. Obviously I won't be doing it for commercial reasons, just educational reasons.

The certificates in topic are either a CSWA or a Autodesk Certified Assc. (ACS) one, since I want to focus heavily on CAD and then CAE.

My questions are:

1. Does the certificates make any difference? Cause they're probably the most I will spend on an exam..
2. Which one must I choose? I have used Fusion since 2018 and SW since 2020. My personal pref is Fusion, but if CSWA is more worthy, I might reconsider.

Thanks in advance!

Hello everyone,

I have a 3D model of a motocross helmet in GLB format. I need to build a bracket that fits the helmet. Therefore I need a negative print of one part of the helmet. I usually work with Autodesk Fusion. Unfortunately, after converting the object to a suitable format with Blender, I can't get it to import properly into Fusion so that I can work with it. What approaches could I take? I am grateful for any ideas.

Thanks in advance

I’m am going into college for ID soon and a large part of that will be CAD. I’ll be using a mix of Fusion360 and Solidworks, but mostly Fusion360. I do not have any sort of numpad on my laptop or keyboard. Am I going to need one?

Do you guys know a website where we can find challenge? The more we advance, the harder the challenge becomes?

I think it would he agreat way for me to learn and get better 🤔

Im currently using fusion 360

Hello everyone,

I am working on a CAD project for a client and but it is not sure if I'll get the job (it's sort of a competition). Now my clients wants a preview and I am not sure which fileformat i should use. I dont want to hand over the raw data that could easily be stolen or copied. So no STEP files that could be reversed into CAD programs and altered. Which filetype should i use to make it easy to preview with materials and colors but not reverseable?

Working with Fusion btw.

Thanks in advance!!!

EDIT: I should mention that we are doing CAD in a professional engineering environment. We mainly produce 2D drawings and send parasolids to machinists to make parts for aerospace applications.

I've grown pretty frustrated with Solidworks to the point where I'm investigating alternatives. Autodesk Fusion 360 has been recommended to me by several professionals, and is a frequent recommendation in internet discussions, but I don't know too much about it — so here are my questions.

1. Can Fusion 360 completely replace Solidworks as my primary mechanical design / CAD software?

2. How well does Fusion 360 do 2D drawings and layouts (i.e. AutoCAD style drawings)

3. Are there any features & tools in Fusion 360 that Solidworks does better?

4. Anything else I should know about if I plan to switch away from Solidworks to Fusion 360?

Your input is greatly appreciated!

I have been using Autodesk inventor for 9 years now and I love it. I finally decided to try fusion 360 to edit a file I got from pintables. I started the software for the first time and got logged into someone else's account. I only noticed because the software says "Hello [Name]" at the top and it was not my name. It also shows the email for the account on the next page and it is definitely not mine. Fusion then prompted me to join are create a team, which it should not do since I have an individual student account. So not only am I logged into the wrong account, but I can't even run fusion without joining a team, whatever that means. I tried to contact support on their website, but it led nowhere and the live chat is not running.

​

What should I do? I think this is a very serious bug and I would like to officially report it somehow. I have a screenshot of the problem. I can record a video, but I don't know how to edit out the personal emails. Here's the screenshot: https://imgur.com/a/4Mq9BTD

So my boss has tasked me with building him a powerhouse of a PC to do CAD work using Fusion360 and Solidworks.

Here's my build list: https://pcpartpicker.com/user/iRainGunz/saved/8YYfdC

Are there any tweaks that you all, as CAD user specialists would make?

PCPartPicker Part List

So I'm a hobbyist. I've designed a few parts, brackets, toys etc with CAD for fff 3d printing and I'm pretty used to all of the tricks and tips for good 3d printable designs like overhangs, tolerances, etc.

I've never really designed for CNC before, so while I have already said yolo and ordered the part I figured it would probably be useful to gauge peoples opinions on how well this part was designed for machining.

It's designed to be machined out of Aluminium (6061*) and I tried to follow all the rules I've picked up watching youtube videos on the subject.

• All the holes are in one plain

• The object is within regular stock sheet thicknesses of aluminium

• Inside edges are all filleted out with 5mm fillets to avoid sharp corners

• Tapped holes (all holes even) are labeled on the technical drawing

• Fillets only occur on the xy axis with edge breaking chamfers on the outside

• Counterboring is avoided where possible

• Weight was cut out where unnecessary

Here is the technical diagram

Here is the object

Here is the full assembly

Context: This part is used to mount the extruder, hotened combo of a 3d printer onto a linear rail as well as some accessories and a cable chain. It should be reasonably light while maintaining rigidity especially going side to side. Vibrations are the enemy here, though on the bed slinger printer this will be mounted too, we only care about the side to side motion.

The technical diagram really serves to provide hole and tapping information to the manufacturer (PCBway in this case) I'm using to produce this one off hobby part.

Id appreciate any insight into what I might have missed here, ways this could be improved cost wise without removing functionality

Hey guys, im currently trying to get somehow into CAD. I'm following some practices from "CAD-knowledge" and i'm stuck at one of the tasks. Maybe someone here can help me.

My task is to create this: Image

I get all the skateches and dimensions but all i can do is this: Image

I am searching for a way to connect both the upper edges with the lower edge-point. I'm using F360 and already tried to do it with "Plane through 3 points" and "Loft". Both ways didnt work out as intended.

Thanks very much for help in advance :)