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Autodesk Fusion 360

Autodesk Fusion 360

Overview

What is Autodesk Fusion 360?

Autodesk Fusion 360 is a cloud-based 3D CAD, CAM, and CAE tool which integrates design, modeling, and simulation capabilities.

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Recent Reviews

TrustRadius Insights

Users have found Autodesk Fusion 360 to be a versatile tool that caters to a wide range of needs. One key use case is its ability to …
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Lacks any support

1 out of 10
July 28, 2022
I use SOLIDWORKS mainly for all our designs but use Fusion 360 for the CNC machining. This was a good simple and cost-effective solution …
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Pricing

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Fusion 360 - Paid Monthly

$70

Cloud
per month per user

Fusion 360 - Paid Annually

$545

Cloud
per year per user

Fusion 360 - 3 Years

$1635

Cloud
3 years per user

Entry-level set up fee?

  • No setup fee
For the latest information on pricing, visithttps://www.autodesk.com/products/fusio…

Offerings

  • Free Trial
  • Free/Freemium Version
  • Premium Consulting/Integration Services

Starting price (does not include set up fee)

  • $70 per month
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Product Demos

Maximizing Efficiency with the Flat Strategy in the Autodesk Fusion 360 Machining Extension

YouTube

Fusion How-To: Design a First PCB | Autodesk Fusion 360

YouTube

Fusion How-To: How To Configure PCB Manufacturing Files | Autodesk Fusion 360

YouTube

Autodesk Fusion 360 Cloud | Dirt Bike Engineering Demo

YouTube

Williams International FJ33 Powered Kanim X 1 Jet Aircraft - Autodesk Fusion 360

YouTube

Airfoil Tools add-in for Fusion 360 demo video: Creating an under-water glider for my pool

YouTube
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Product Details

What is Autodesk Fusion 360?

Autodesk Fusion 360 is a cloud-based 3D CAD, CAM, and CAE tool which integrates design, modeling, and simulation capabilities.

Some of its capabilities include:

  • 3D design and modeling platform - Product engineering with a comprehensive set of modeling tools to ensure products' form, fit, and function with diverse analysis methods.
  • Sketching - With sketch constraints, dimensions, and a powerful suite of sketch tools.
  • Direct modeling - Editing or repair of imported geometry from non-native file formats. Make design changes without worrying about time-based features.
  • Surface modeling - Creation and editing of complex parametric surfaces for repairing, patching, or designing geometry.
  • Parametric modeling - Creates history-based features, including extrude, revolve, loft, sweep, etc., that update with design changes.
  • Mesh modeling - Editing and repair of imported scans or mesh models, including STL and OBJ files.
  • Freeform modeling - Creation of complex sub-divisional surfaces with T-splines and edit them with intuitive push-pull gestures.
  • Rendering - Photo-realistic images of a model, leveraging local or cloud rendering.
  • PCB design integration - Synchronization of bi-directional changes from electronics designs with Autodesk EAGLE interoperability.
  • Design to manufacture - Fusion 360 makes it easier to program CNC machines using simplified controls for high-efficiency roughing, adaptive clearing, and tool orientation. Design for 2D up to 5-axis milling. Simplify probing, turning, mill-turning, and profiling operations with a post engine.
  • 2D and 2.5D machining - Creation of 2D and 2.5D toolpaths to drive CNC routers, mills, water jet cutters, laser cutters, and more. Integrated CAD simplifies design revisions, reduces programming times and helps avoid mistakes.
  • 3-axis machining - A range of 3-axis machining strategies to create NC code to rough and finish 3D parts. Its workflows make it simple to program individual features or entire parts. Some of these capabilities require a subscription to Fusion 360 and the Machining Extension.
  • Integrated electronics - Brings designs to life with automation. Using schematic design, PCB layout, and routing capabilities built into Fusion 360.
  • Schematic capture - A complete set of schematic tools with access to thousands of components. Interconnect circuits and create custom attribute assignments.
  • PCB layout - The PCB editor lets users connect ideas together in the shortest time possible. Even the layout of dense boards is possible with a complete set of PCB layout tools.
  • Additive manufacturing in 3D - Creation of physical prototypes to validate prior to manufacturing and build 3D printed parts using additive manufacturing in Fusion 360. Connect to a library of 3D printing machines including Ultimaker, EOS, and Renishaw.
  • Fused filament fabrication - Manufacture parts using FFF in a seamless approach from design to print preparation. Reduce 3D printing time. Save material costs with infill pattern options and automatic part orientation. Simulate slices across a range of additive manufacturing machines before printing.
  • Metal additive manufacturing - Additive manufacturing to fabricate metal parts with powder bed fusion. Reduces material wastage and cost. Offers 3D print parameters, automate part orientation and generate fully associative support structures.

Autodesk Fusion 360 Videos

Autodesk Fusion - Features Overview
Autodesk Fusion 360 User Journeys: George Costa, Rennen Design Group
Autodesk Fusion 360 User Journeys: Patrick Mesa, James Avery Artisan Jewelry
Dr. Schwenke 3D Prints Artery Models to Visualize Complex Brain Aneurysms

Autodesk Fusion 360 Competitors

Autodesk Fusion 360 Technical Details

Deployment TypesSoftware as a Service (SaaS), Cloud, or Web-Based
Operating SystemsUnspecified
Mobile ApplicationNo

Frequently Asked Questions

Autodesk Fusion 360 is a cloud-based 3D CAD, CAM, and CAE tool which integrates design, modeling, and simulation capabilities.

Autodesk Fusion 360 starts at $70.

SOLIDWORKS, Solid Edge, and Onshape are common alternatives for Autodesk Fusion 360.

The most common users of Autodesk Fusion 360 are from Small Businesses (1-50 employees).
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Comparisons

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Reviews and Ratings

(96)

Community Insights

TrustRadius Insights are summaries of user sentiment data from TrustRadius reviews and, when necessary, 3rd-party data sources. Have feedback on this content? Let us know!

Users have found Autodesk Fusion 360 to be a versatile tool that caters to a wide range of needs. One key use case is its ability to convert CAD files to a format suitable for 3D printing, making it essential for companies that heavily rely on additive manufacturing. Design engineers appreciate Fusion 360 for its ability to easily create and model their ideas, providing them with a visual representation of their designs. It is also a popular choice among tabletop gaming enthusiasts and product prototypers, who value the software's powerful CAD tools and hobbyist-friendly licensing terms.

With its seamless integration with MeshMixer, Fusion 360 allows users to repair faulty designs before they are printed, ensuring a smooth printing process. The software's CAM functionality enables users to generate G code for manufacturing purposes, further supporting their 3D work. Additionally, Fusion 360 proves useful in creating photorealistic renderings for branding and marketing visuals, offering more control and flexibility compared to pre-designed mockups in other programs.

For electronic development departments, Fusion 360's interface and ease of use make it a valuable tool in designing prototypes and confirming the proper fit of electronics within 3D printed models. The software has also proven effective in conceptualizing and visualizing 3D concepts, aiding in better communication with stakeholders and enabling rapid prototyping. However, some users have encountered challenges with customer service and technical support, which has led to frustration and prompted them to explore alternative CAD companies. Nonetheless, individuals working on hobby projects have praised Fusion 360 for its built-in Simulation and CAM functionality, which enhance their workflow and contribute to successful outcomes.

Modeling Tools: Users have praised the modeling tools in Autodesk Fusion 360, with many stating that they are really good and capable of building organic shapes with ease. Several reviewers have highlighted how these tools have helped them bring their ideas to life and create complex 3D models efficiently.

Ease of Learning: Many users appreciate the fact that the learning curve for Fusion 360 is not as steep compared to other design software. This accessibility has made it a popular choice even among less experienced designers, who find it easy to get acclimated to the software quickly. The availability of online tutorials further enhances the learning process and helps users grasp the software's functionalities in various industries.

Support and Community: The support provided by Autodesk for Fusion 360 has been widely recognized as amazing by users. Being owned by Autodesk gives users confidence in receiving timely assistance whenever needed. Additionally, Fusion 360 offers a vibrant community base for training and support, providing resources for learning and addressing questions. This strong support network adds value to the overall user experience.

Functionality Changes: Some users have found the frequent functionality changes in the middle of a project to be annoying and confusing, particularly for those new to 3D modeling or CAD software.

Sluggish Performance with Complex Models: The software's performance becomes sluggish and loses fluidity when working with more complex 3D models, leading to frustration for users.

Difficulty Importing Files from Maya: Users find it inconvenient that Fusion 360 does not allow them to directly open files created in Maya, requiring them to import old STL files instead. This can result in difficulty working on these files and adds an extra step to the workflow.

Users commonly recommend Fusion 360 for a variety of purposes, such as 3D modeling, structural layout mapping, and creating plans and drawings. They believe it is a complete, modern CAD software that can compete with more expensive options. Users advise taking pre-training due to its complexity and recommend using YouTube tutorials for learning. Fusion 360 is considered worth considering for CAD programs and as a backup tool, although not as a primary one.

In an educational environment, users suggest having a dedicated manager for the Fusion 360 computer lab. It is also highly regarded for product design, as it allows for professional project creation and enhances presentations. Startups, personal or small team projects, and hobbyists are encouraged to try Fusion 360, especially since it offers free access for students and is recommended for schools.

To ensure reliability, users caution against solely relying on Fusion 360 and recommend having a backup software in place. They also mention keeping Fusion 360 a secret and highlight the reasonable pricing of the software.

Fusion 360's capabilities extend beyond CAD, making it an attractive all-in-one manufacturing package with integrated PDM features. It is suggested to use Fusion 360 when creating 3D print models or connecting with 3D printing machines. As a backup tool, users suggest maintaining a seat of Inventor or Autocad for complex 2D drawings.

Overall, combining Fusion 360 with Blender can fulfill most needs, providing access to a solid CAD/CAM solution through the free version of Fusion 360.

Attribute Ratings

Reviews

(1-15 of 15)
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July 28, 2022

Lacks any support

Score 1 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
I use SOLIDWORKS mainly for all our designs but use Fusion 360 for the CNC machining. This was a good simple and cost-effective solution to our CNC programming needs. However, last week Fusion 360 changed the post process and this threw up several warning symbols which were not there on the older version. This is when the real issues with Fusion 360 started as there is NO customer service and really poor technical help. The difference between SOLIDWORKS and Fusion 360 after sales is stunning. With SOLIDWORKS you call a telephone number and a person picks up, your talk through your problem, they understand and if needed log on to your PC and explain the issue. You come off the telephone feeling you have added to your knowledge all within 30 minutes. Fusion 360, if you have a problem like I did last week you have a to book a scheduled call being the UK this meant 7pm on a Friday night 4 hours after I needed the help. When the call did come through it lasted a total of 5 minutes and 13 seconds and I was told they were unable to help as it was beyond their technical help and I was to post my issue on the forum. I'm not a big user of social media and I would honestly prefer not to be posting my issues for all to see and for this to be the only means of communication I find really unprofessional. However, as I couldn't use my CNC without fear I would be crashing the head into the bed I posted my issue. I had 2 replies the first was as follows "we are not changing the post processor back and it's not that difficult" (but no real help or advise), the second from engineguy (mentor) saying we have been posting on the forum for months the changes and I should be reading the forums and watching the videos. With a small business I really do not have time to be sitting down reading forums and watching videos I already work 50-60 hours per week. I have now been unable to use my CNC machine for 2 days I cannot find any direct way of speaking with Autodesk or Fusion.

The lost business and problems this package has cost me is way more than the total it costs for the year. I will be cancelling this subscription and finding a better more customer driven CAD company. You find out how good a company is when things go wrong and Autodesk/Fusion 360 have proved to me they are a really poor company.
  • cost
  • basic
  • customer service
  • technical support
  • Leaving things how they were
  • Direct contact
  • Employing helpful people
Good for students and people with time on their hands. Really poor if you are a business and time is critical and you need support.
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
We use Autodesk Fusion 360 as a CAD design tool but also as a CAM tool to generate g code for manufacturing.
  • Autodesk Fusion 360 is great at top down design
  • Design Flexibility
  • Cloud Based/Great for collaboration
  • Many different tools available for analysis
  • Affordable subscription-based software
  • Drawing environment could improve significantly, especially when compared to Inventor
  • Would like to be able to replace parts within a design assembly
  • Joints are sometimes limiting for assembly environments
Autodesk Fusion 360 has a pretty small learning curve so I think it is great for someone that may be less familiar with CAD. The base software offers a ton of features typically not available in an entry level software and would typically require multiple software packages to provide similar functionality. I love that I am able to do design a part and then generate g code to 3D print the part or use a myriad conventional manufacturing approaches to process the part according to capabilities that I have.
Ahmet AktaÅŸ | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
I use Autodesk Fusion 360 in our 3D work. Thanks to its easy interface and fast speed, it supports our work. The best part of the program is that it provides easy access everywhere with our online account. I can also perform instant previews with the phone app.
  • Understanding the menus.
  • Online account feature.
  • Supporting the outputs of other drawing programs.
  • The program is so useful that I didn't think of its shortcomings.
The fact that the program is free at the entry-level is one of the biggest reasons for preference. Thanks to this feature, it helps students to do their design work easily and free of charge. This is reflected in business life, making it attractive for life-long use.
vijay kumar | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
When I transferred CAD date to my slicing software for printing, I found that in blend the data did not translate well. With [Autodesk] Fusion 360, I found that I was able to convert the CAD files immediately to a file type that could be used for slicing, then through that software create G Code for 3D Printing. It was absolutely critical to my company that we find the right software and [Autodesk] Fusion 360 checked every box!
  • Free for non-commercial use. Powerful, intuitive tools. Great for hobbyists, 3d printing, non-commercial projects. Huge body of information and tutorials. cloud based storage
  • There is a free version for [Autodesk] Fusion 360 used for students, startups and teachers. - The modeling tools are really good they allow you to build organic shapes with ease. - The learning curve is not as steep. - It has an amazing support since is owned by Autodesk. - You can create machine code (G-Code) to send it to cut or 3D print. - There are several tutorials online and now is more used in the mechanical design industry.
  • Some functionality changes and when you are in the middle of a project and your workflow changes, it is a little annoying.
  • This can be particularly confusing for those unaccustomed to 3D modeling or CAD software.
This software has been so easy to use from day one! I couldn't be more thrilled with it. Being an SME, it is offered on an annual basis free of charge. My network of engineers are amazed I am able to accomplish what I have using this software when the companies they come from are paying thousands for licensing. I also would like to note that Autodesk offer an incredible specialization to really round out your skills via Coursera.
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
[Autodesk] Fusion 360 is very useful for its built in Simulation and CAM functionality. It is being used by only myself currently, as it is not our main design software. But is is my main software at home.
  • CAM (CNC Programming)
  • FEA simulation
  • Top-Down 3D CAD design
  • Free version is now limited to 3-axis machining
  • Feature Tree/History is difficult to get used to coming from SOLIDWORKS
  • Rendering seems simplistic. Or settings (such as custom color) are hard to find.
Companies where you need 3D design packaged with simulation and/or machining. Especially if you have work-from-home employees, as the files are saved to, managed inside, and accessible from the cloud.
Oral Tosun | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Fusion 360 is a great tool for my company which serves online to 3d printing customers. It's a solid modeling tool which is a necessity for a good 3d printable design. Besides its solid features, Fusion 360 has a special module for 3d printing. It connects to another 3d printing software called MeshMixer created by Autodesk. 3d printable files must have a special extension called *.stl. and Fusion 360 easily handles this file extension without any hassles. There is an urgent need for a 3d printable file to have certain characteristics. If the design has some faulty places then it must be repaired before 3d printing. MeshMixer, which is reachable inside Fusion 360, does this job.
  • Fusion 360 is ideal for technical design jobs. Because it could work on the cloud with multiple users, you can work on the same file with your team-mate or your customer.
  • Fusion 360's other great functionality is its assembly features. You could easily and effectively create assembly parts via Fusion 360.
  • And its greatest feature: Parametric design. This gives a huge capability to a designer. You could change some design parameters after finishing your whole job. Thus, making last-minute changes is very easy on Fusion 360 after negotiating the final design with your customer.
  • Fusion 360 comes free with full features. It's a great software solution for a budget restricted start-up company.
  • Even though it has a very good cloud software, Fusion 360 gets very laggy when using slow internet connections.
  • Fusion 360 uses a vast amount of your device's memory. It is recommended to select the RAM value as high as possible on your device.
  • Fusion 360's sculpting and retopology features are behind the competing software on the market.
Fusion 360 is great for mechanical or technical designs, but its ability to sculpt artistic 3d models is very restricted. It's a business software rather than an artisan software. It works on both cloud and device. Thus, if you do not have an internet connection you could work on your project as well.
Jeff Eaton | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
I design 3D printable models for tabletop gaming, and produce one-off 3D printed parts for hobbyists who are prototyping new products. I often collaborate with other members of the local makerspace where a lot of the printing takes place, and Fusion 360 is one of the key tools for the work we do. It has a powerful set of CAD tools for designing precision models, and its hobbyist-friendly licensing terms make it a good choice for designers who want a powerful tool but can't (yet) justify a high-end price tag.
  • Industry standard precision modeling tools
  • Parametric design features for producing multiple variants of similar designs
  • Steep learning curve for users without CAD experience
  • Weak support for organic sculpting
Most of my work with Fusion 360 has focused on its 3D modeling capabilities, and its liberal licensing policies for hobbyists has made it popular in that space. It focuses on a "mechanical engineering" approach to modeling rather than artistic, organic sculpting. While it's less rigid than its big brother AutoCAD, making the most of it will require thinking about the structure of your model rather than simply its appearance.

That emphasis means it's fantastic for producing mechanical parts, and it can simulate how multiple separate parts will interlock and work with each other in 3D printed devices. This makes using it to design hinges and other moving mechanisms orders of magnitudes simpler; it also preserves an ongoing, editable history of the part being modeled. Realizing you need to tweak the tolerances on a part halfway through the design is fairly easy; you can go back any number of steps in the model's creation and modify the parameters used on a specific part, changing a hole's width or a groove's depth without altering any other parts of the model.

The downside of this CAD-like power is that it's much less capable of "sculpting" organic models. Tools like ZBrush, Rhino, and even Blender are a better choice there.
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
I use Fusion 360 to make sample parts for customers who would like to see the capabilities of our 3D printers. It makes designing for 3D printing easy and painless but is also extremely powerful. I can always rely on Fusion 360 to make parts that print great every time. Having very little time to learn new software, Fusion was easy to learn and I was designing models in minutes when I first started.
  • Offer parametric modeling, but also has organic modeling features.
  • The workflow is extremely easy to learn. You can start designing in minutes.
  • The cloud upload is nice so that you do not have to bring files with you when working from other computers.
  • I would like to see Fusion 360 have some kind of STL editor since it is used so much for 3D printing.
  • Better mesh editing tools.
  • More 3D printing tools.
This software offers professional tools which are extremely easy to learn when compared to competitors. You can become a CAD expert in just weeks. If you are looking for a software to use that creates clean files for 3D printing, look no further. For teachers, designers, and even hobbyists, Fusion 360 have tools for everyone.
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
I'm using Fusion as my one and only solution for 3d printing design. I mostly model electronic gadgets cases and simple toys. It's an absolutely brilliant tool if you need to model some objects quickly and precisely. It allows me to collaborate with my colleagues on one project or share my private designs with a team.
  • History timeline is a life saver. You can correct almost any errors by just going few steps back in your design.
  • You can use parametrical design like with OpenSCAD
  • It has very intuitive UI.
  • Works perfectly with MacBook's touch pads, even better then with a mouse.
  • It is still under heavy development so it likes to crash from time to time.
  • Working with some complex patterns can be a real challenge to your CPU and fan.
  • More keyboard shortcuts would be nice.
In my opinion Fusion, 360 is best for designing for 3d printing, especially with its parametric design. Mixing sculp and model mode really helps, especially when you're designing toys. If you are, for example, a woodworker (I am), I believe it can be useful but there are better tools for that type of project.
Tyler Grudowski | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
I use Fusion 360 as a quick and simple way to easily draw things out. It is a much faster-loading and quick software than SOLIDWORKS, so I like to use it for quick 3D CAD modeling and drawing. It is strictly used by me, as the primary and only design engineer. It helps me quickly model ideas that I have in my head to see what they look like physically.
  • Fusion 360 is incredible at enabling me to quickly and efficiently capture the ideas that I have in my head and output them as 3D models without having to do any intense drawings. I use this all the time to model small, less important parts of our products during the prototyping phase.
  • The software is really good at helping even the least experienced designers get acclimated to the software extremely quickly. Having a quick-access help manual and easy to navigate functions made the software feel almost second-nature the first time I used it.
  • Fusion 360 has the functionality to save all of your files online, so you can draw something out on one computer and move to another one that has the software and pick up right where you left off. I use this function all the time when I am when I work at a computer that is not mine.
  • Fusion 360 is a very simple program, so once you begin to draw more complex 3D models, the software gets sluggish and loses its fluidity.
  • It would be really nice if Fusion 360 could output a model as a SOLIDWORKS file so I can begin to draw something out in Fusion 360 and then pick it up in SOLIDWORKS when I need to do some more advanced functions.
  • Because Fusion 360 is a simpler program, there are a few functions such as 3D sketches that are not intuitive like all the rest of the functions are.
Fusion 360 is a fantastic program for a wide variety of uses. The models that the software does well with are simple ones, but once you get into more complicated ones, the program loses most of its usability. Once you get there, you will have to turn to a product like SolidWorks to get the job done.
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Fusion 360 was solely used in the design department to conceptualize and visualize concepts in 3D. Turning sketches into 3D objects then helped us present ideas to upper management and, in some scenarios, important stakeholders. This proved to be a valuable advantage as stakeholders and those alike could see the same vision as me, the lead designer on the project. Previously, stakeholders were presented 2D drawings or other resources, that oftentimes caused more unnecessary questions. Details of 2D sketches and drawings were often lost in translation. On top of that, Fusion 360 provides the extra outcome of being able to rapidly prototype ideas with a 3D printer, something that was often overlooked before. This has provided us with valuable feedback early on in the design process.
  • The first PRO of Fusion 360 that always comes to mind is how versatile it is. Fusion 360 is the first CAD/CAM software that also includes other key features that CAD programs of this size don't have.
  • Fusion 360 has a generous licensing structure that gives those just starting out a place to start with a professional level CAD program. As a result, this has helped build up a huge community and user base around Fusion 360.
  • Fusion 360 is updated on a monthly basis. This has proven to be a huge advantage over SOLIDWORKS (something else I use) which is only updated once a year. The nice thing about monthly updates, other than regular bug fixes, is that the team can adapt quickly and no one is taken by storm with a big overhaul of the UI or features at the beginning of the year.
  • Fusion 360's UI is by far better than any other CAD program on the market. However, I think the engineers/designers working on Fusion 360 need to be careful with where they're taking it. On one hand, it's great that they have finally given CAD a modern look. On the other hand, they should really look into their user base more, and consider some of the fine details of the UI that could be improved -- icon size, tab layouts, dialog styling, etc.
  • Fusion 360 could use some better copy for each feature's help text. I find that the help text often uses the feature's name within it...which means if someone doesn't know what the feature does they're probably not going to be able to understand the help text.
  • Fusion 360 has random crashes...albeit, just about every CAD program does. I will say, however, Fusion 360's file backup structure is much better than most CAD programs.
Fusion 360 is a great CAD package if you're looking to do rapid prototyping, general/mechanical engineering, packaging design, 3d printing (or other hobbyist related things) or of course, CAM. I wouldn't recommend Fusion 360 for those who need a more specific type of software, such as, civil engineers, architects, or soft-goods designers.
Overall, Fusion 360 is best suited for rapid prototyping and product development. The cloud-based advantages of Fusion 360 make it extremely easy to work in agile product teams versus conventional CAD programs where sharing and backing up files is a job in itself. The Fusion 360 Hub, where files are backed up to, also provides additional collaboration tools such as notes, comments, and version control, which makes working with teams even more of a pleasure.
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Fusion 360 allows for quick designs and has a relatively small learning curve. Simple designs are easy to produce. It is being utilized on an individual basis for evaluation. Additionally, I have used the software for small hobby projects for the home and car.
  • It is relatively easy to design a component or product.
  • The design can easily be uploaded to be 3D Printed.
  • Fusion 360 also provides a community base for training and questions.
  • The interface is a bit cumbersome and outdated.
  • I would like to see better integration of 3D file formates that can opened and can be exported.
  • I would also like to see a customizable interface based on the file that was selected.
Fusion 360 is appropriate for learning basic design and creating small parts. It is less appropriate to use when more robust design tools are needed such as lightweight with lattices or compiling large assembly files.
Samuel Crawford | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
We currently use Fusion 360 to create photorealistic renderings for high-quality branding elements and marketing visuals. We use it only within our design department and use the outputted PNG files alongside Adobe Creative Cloud programs to add engaging backgrounds and effects. If we were not to have Fusion as a resource, we would be reliant on stock, pre-designed Photoshop mockups that have only graphic replacement capabilities as opposed to the freedom of directional control, lighting, realistic 3D effects, textures, exposure, and perspectives.
  • Very intuitive interface for 3D modeling beginners
  • FREE FOREVER if your organization makes under $100,000
  • Very natural photorealistic rendering settings
  • Local rendering and cloud rendering options
  • Cannot directly open files created in Maya
Fusion 360 is great for start-ups or hobby modelers. It has great, simple, easy-to-use tools but it does not have some of the more high-level functions needed for either engineering (like Finite Elements Analysis and Stress studies) or very complex rigging capabilities. I consider Fusion 360 to be a beginner software while products like SolidWorks and Maya are for advanced 3D users.
Luciana Montivero | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
It's used for designing different models for 3D printing. I decided to use this program because of its really nice interface and that it's a really complete app for 3D modeling, while not being hard to use. We haven't had any business problem while using it since it's a really easy-to-use app.
  • Designing different 3D models
  • Analysis of movement of objects that interact with them
  • Exploring all angles of your design
  • Choosing different materials in objects
  • When you use the little box that's on your right upper corner, you can easily choose what angle you want to see, but when you use the specific tool designed to use for moving the camera across the object, usually fails or gets stuck.
  • The force analysis is a little hard/anti-intuitive to use.
  • When you use an operation in a wide angle of places (like rounding up all the corners of a cube) sometimes it doesn't work and you can't tell why. It would be awesome if there was a form to know what's the thing that's crashing your operation.
  • It should be easier to copy/paste things.
I think it's really a full package when using Fusion 360. It's suitable for 3D modeling beginners and also for experienced modelers that need further analysis of their pieces. It's way easier to use compared to many other 3D modeling programs, and especially when thinking of 3D printing. I think you can use it if you want to design a simple box when you need to design a complex mechanical device.
Alejandro Daniel Copati | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
In my organization, Fusion 360 is used to design our 3D prototypes to make 3D printings and test the products before the final version. I am working in the electronic development department, but we collaborate a lot with the design department because all the electronics have to fit in the prototype perfectly. We make the stuff at the same time all together.
  • It's the perfect environment to create 3D models. It's very friendly with all the tools that you have to make powerful renders.
  • The features to make inserts, hinges, gears, extrudes, etc., are very simple to use and have a perfect match between them.
  • You have all the tools and a lot of shortcuts juts with a few touches of your mouse or keyboard.
  • The transition of the different camera angles and the views of Fusion 360 are very smooth, even if your computer is not the best.
  • Even the representation of complex parts is very fast, having the best machine or not having it.
  • At the moment you have to import your old STL files that you have created with other CAD software. Fusion 360 imports the piece with many triangles and makes it very difficult to work on it. Sometimes, it's easier to start over with this directly in Fusion 360 and forget about the old.
  • All the files that you create are saved in the Cloud, and you have to "download" them every time that you want to use them. It's a very good idea when you have an internet connection, but when you do not have it, like in a plane flight for example, you can not work on it.
Fusion 360 is perfect both for education and for professional designers, with all the specific and professional tools it has, it is a very powerful set to learn to create wonderful things.

I think it's a bit less appropriate in the event that I have to have the files and work with different rendering programs at the same time.
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