Fusion 360 Review

Every product starts with an idea in your head … but what happens when that idea needs to become a physical reality? This Autodesk Fusion 360 review will show you everything you need to bring your idea into physical reality without any hassle.

Do you have the tools you need to bring your idea to physical reality? Or are you back to drafting, designing or making do with whatever’s within your reach? Autodesk Fusion 360 makes it easy for everyone to bring their creations to life.

Autodesk Fusion 360 is the only complete software solution for Product Innovation, combining 3D design and simulation tools in one powerful cloud platform. Only Autodesk gives you the power to bring your products to life, together with communication and collaboration tools that connect teams on an unlimited scale.

What is Fusion 360? (Fusion 360 Review)

Fusion 360 is a single solution that operates as a cloud service for 3D CAD, CAM, and CAE. In addition to high-level tools such as 3D modeling, surface and solid modeling, 2D drafting and visualization, it also offers low-level functionalities such as a mechanical part library with a suite of integrated CAM functions.

With first-class CAD/CAM/CAE functionality, Fusion 360 is the next-generation platform for product development that Centralizes Model Data. With it, you can collaborate with Design Teams, integrates with Make Machines and leverages the IoT to shorten your development cycles.

Fusion 360 combines the power of cloud-based data connectivity with award-winning full-cloud 3D CAD tools to redefine the user experience. The seamless integration of design, simulation, and manufacturing enables better product delivery in less time.

Fusion 360 has many innovative features not seen in other CAD tools.  The new workspaces make it easy for anyone to understand, even if they are just learning how to use the product.  Then, users can transition into the more advanced features as they continue using the program.

What Is Fusion 360 Fusing? (Fusion 360 Review)

Fusion 360 is a fusion of CAM/CAD/CAE tools delivered in a cloud platform and comes with:

Multiple Modelling Techniques

The platform supports Solid and Surface, Parametric and Direct, T-Spline and Mesh geometry import, creation and export. With this software, you can choose the way you want to work and the method that best suits the way you want to work, whether Parametric, Direct, Surface or T-Splines.

Multiple CAD Tools

This platform has FEA, CAM, CAD and documentation built-in and integrated into the same CAD tool. This makes it easier for you to move your design project through various design phases without having to switch to another software package. From Stimulate to CAM to Drawing to Rendering stage, you can do everything on this platform.

PDM and CAD

Fusion 360 has data management built-in, so you don’t need to maintain your own server or database – no check-in or check-out. Permission control, version and revision tracking, review, linked documents, comments and mark-up are all easily managed and coordinated with the Fusion 360 team.

Multiple Operating Platforms

You can easily run Fusion 360 on different platforms including web browsers, Mac and Windows. There are also F360 Apps for both Android and iPhone devices. So depending on your preference, you can choose the platform that best suit location and your preference.

Local and Cloud Resources

The Fusion 360 platform works perfectly between cloud and local devices. Because it can run on Windows and Mac, it will run without an internet connection. When you are connected to the internet, Fusion can pass off compute-intensive tasks to the cloud to get the best out of your local hardware and the cloud.

Autodesk Fusion 360 Features (Fusion 360 Review)

Fusion 360 offers a lot of features and some of the features include:

Concept Design and 3D Modelling

Fusion 360 makes your design easier. With a single model environment, you can assemble all unique parts and create whatever you want to create without any hassle. You can also link existing library files to your current design, letting you change it on this platform and control it as you wish.

The platform incorporates both parametric and direct modeling, letting you start with an existing design from other CAD systems or create a design from scratch.

Prototyping and Fabrication

Fusion 360 integrated 3D print preparation environment allows you to prepare your designs for 3D printing as a prototype or as a final part. Traditional drawing can also be created directly inside the platform.

CAM paths, Drawings and 3D Print models are all directly linked to 3D CAD models. When your model updates, everything else will also update. In fact, late design changes are not a problem in Fusion 360 integrated production innovation environment.

Integrated Simulation

This software platform helps you reduce not only costs but also the time to market. The closer you can get your 3D CAD model to real life, the more information you can generate for your design’s Simulation and verification.

Fusion 360 includes integrated assembly modeling, rendering, motion studies and FEA tools that help you when analyzing your design before making it. Generate Static stress, Thermal, Modal Frequencies, and Structural Buckling, Even simulation, Non-liner Stress and Shape optimization studies for a fraction of the price of dedicated simulation software.

Document Management and Collaboration

Manage your document seamlessly on this platform. With it, files are automatically backed up to the cloud. Every saves creates a new version for a full audit trail. You can track and control all file permissions within your project, which means you can re-name and restructure your file as you wish.

Any file you upload will be available to your project team via the Fusion 360 document management web service, including mark-up, commenting and live review of your designs. Whatever you want to do, whether sharing your ideas with a no-CAD user in the same office, your customer or colleagues around the globe, you have everything you can ever need is built into this platform.

Fusion 360 Pricing (Fusion 360 Review)

Fusion 360 offers 4 packages and for each of the packages, you have a 30-day free trial. Here are the packages:

Monthly

The monthly package cones at $60. It is designed for users needing flexible access and payment options. You can try it for 30-day for free before committing to it.

Yearly

This is the most popular Fusion 360 package. It costs $42/month, making $396 a year. With this package, you get access to 3D CAD, CAM, PCB, CAE, data management and collaboration software. It comes with a 30-day free trial.

3-Year

This 3-year package costs $38/month and $1,068 per 3 years. It comes with a 30-day free trial. If you are a user who wants to lock in long-time access, this is the right package for you.

Custom

If you are looking for a custom package, you can contact Fusion 360 experts to discuss what you want and they will give you the right price for the package you want.

However, it is available to students for free. Start-ups and companies or users with turnover less than $100,000 per year can also access it for free. Even start-up businesses with limited funds will have access to the world-class development platform.

Fusion 360 also offers amazing extensions which include:

Machining Extension

Machining extension provides you with advanced manufacturing functionality. This provides you access to more 3- and 5-axis strategies, process automation and toolpath optimization. It costs $1,120/year.

Nesting & Fabrication Extension

This Nesting & Fabrication Extension unlocks advanced capabilities to create optimized and associative multi-sheet layouts for sheet metal and non-sheet metal parts. It costs $1.120/year.

Manage Extension

This manage extension unlocks additional data management functionality and manages design changes at any stage of production with a click of a button using pre-built workflow. It costs $347

Generative Design Extension

This extension lets you quickly explore high-performing design iterations. Reduce weight, improve product performance and consolidate parts. It costs $1,120/year.

Additive Built Extension

This extension lets you 3D print high-value metal parts. You can automatically orient parts, create high-quality finishing operations and generate fully associative support structures. It costs $1,120/year.

Fusion 360 System Requirements

With this platform, you don’t need to invest in expensive hardware. However, you want a better memory and graphic especially if you don’t have a dedicated graphics card.

System requirements for Autodesk Fusion 360
Operating System	Apple® macOS™ Big Sur 11.x*; Catalina 10.15; Mojave v10.14(learn more about Apple Security Updates) Microsoft® Windows® 8.1 (64 bit) (until January 2023)** Microsoft Windows Windows 10 (64-bit) Windows Release Information
CPU Type	x86-based 64-bit processor (e.g. Intel Core I, AMD Ryzen series), 4 cores, 1.7 GHz or greater; 32-bit not supported ARM-based processors are partially supported via Rosetta 2 only – see this post for more information.
Memory	4 GB of RAM (integrated graphics recommend 6 GB or more)
Graphics Card	DirectX11 (Direct3D 10.1 or greater) Dedicated GPU with 1 GB or more of VRAM Integrated graphics with 6 GB or more of RAM
Disk Space	3 GB of storage
Display Resolution	1366 x 768 (1920 x 1080 or greater at 100% scale strongly recommended)
Pointing Device	HID-compliant mouse or trackpad, optional Wacom® tablet and 3Dconnexion SpaceMouse® support
Internet	2.5 Mbps or faster download; 500 Kbps or faster upload
Dependencies	SSL 3.0, TLS 1.2+, .NET Framework 4.5 or newer required to submit crash reports

 

Recommended specs for complex modeling and processing
CPU Type	3 GHz or greater, 6 or more cores
Memory	8 GB RAM or greater
Graphics	Dedicated GPU with 4 GB or more VRAM, DirectX 11 (Direct3D 11 or greater)

Fusion 360 Pros and Cons

Pros

• Intuitive and straightforward user interface
• Uses the cloud
• Exports files that are compatible with most 3D printers on the market
• Works seamlessly on Windows and MacEasy to install
• Excellent customer service
• Good for beginners and professionals

Cons

• Can’t customize keyboard shortcuts
• Your internet connection must be good because it uses cloud technology
• Without the internet, you can’t a

Verdict On Fusion 360 Review

Fusion  360 is great software but with updates over the years, it shows that there is room for improvement. The interesting thing is that the developer team is continually adding more features every time.

The good thing is that it is cost-effective as you can start your design and finish it right on the platform. It is such a great platform for designers and it makes life easier for you as a designer. With this software, you can expect more updates from time to time. You can give it a try here.