Fusion 360 a good 3D CAD program? Or would you recommend another?

Years ago I downloaded and spent quite a lot of time teaching myself to use Google Sketchup and I LOVED that program!!! Way easier to use for 3D than AutoCAD for sure. But then Google sold it off and the new versions were changed enough that I didn't like it as much so I kept the old version I had. Last year my laptop needed replacing and unfortunately I lost the free Sketchup I liked.

I just checked and the current Sketchup is free for personal use and subscription for professional use, but it seems like the free version is limited capability.

So before I download that free version and go to the trouble of learning how to use it I thought I'd check and see what alternatives are available that people like.

One free option I found is Fusion 360 but I don't know anything about it. Can anyone that uses it give me a quick review please? Is it worth learning, easy to use, able to easily output files that can be 3D printed?

For 3D printing applications, use TinkerCAD. It has limitations, but you can overcome a lot of them with some tricks. It also outputs the file in a native format for the slicers, so no need to convert. There are also a lot of instructional videos for you to wrap your head around the concepts, which you would likely pickup in no time.

Plus it's free!

Fusion 360 is a proper 3D parametric CAD software, and these tend to have a steep learning curve.

look in the 3D printing forum for a few others people have used.

dr wogz said:

Fusion 360 is a proper 3D parametric CAD software, and these tend to have a steep learning curve.

look in the 3D printing forum for a few others people have used.

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WOW!! I didn't even know there WAS a 3D Printing subforum here. I guess I need to get out of the Watering Hole and Low Power subs more often.

I'd put the time into learning Fusion over TinkerCAD. Fusion is a lot more powerful and has a pretty decent slicer built in (if you download the slicer app). I use their CAM software (HSMworks) in SW which is roughly the same as the CAM package in Fusion and it's pretty solid. If you ever decide to get a router or really any CNC machine it's going to pay off to be familiar in Fusion. If you're going to put the time into learning a CAD program why not put that into something worthwhile? TinkerCAD seems like a dead end, and with how prevalent Fusion is in industry these days it's not a bad skill to have and may come in handy in your professional life at some point.

You don't have to use parametric modeling in Fusion. You can simply draw sketches, dimension them and extrude them. You can be as basic or fancy as you'd like and have room to grow... there's really nothing to be afraid of.

The main reason I don't use Fusion at work is the internet thing is a pain and I'm way too lazy to unlearn all the muscle memory I've developed in SW. If you're a veteran you can get the student version of SolidWorks for something like 25$.

Fusion360 has a steep learning curve. But is the best when you get the hang of it. There are tons of tutorials on YouTube. You've got Lars, NYC CNC to help you with a lot of it.

I just started learning Fusion 360. It's the one used by everyone I know and across a few different hobbies. There is a ton of online tutorials. Pick one you like and extrude away.

+1 Fusion 360

it's one thing to learn how to use the software. It's another to understand why you're doing it. The concepts can be a handful, and this is where I see some fail / get frustrated. Stop, think, ask..

dr wogz said:

it's one thing to learn how to use the software. It's another to understand why you're doing it. The concepts can be a handful, and this is where I see some fail / get frustrated. Stop, think, ask..

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For 3D printing some rocket parts are you really going to need to go much deeper than some basic sketches that you might extrude, do some extruded cuts and maybe if you’re feeling fancy a loft or revolve operation? I’m really not sure what concepts you’re referring to here, most 4 year olds I know have a pretty good handle on extrusions after their first play doh set.

There’s no need to act like you need an advanced degree to model something basic in a CAD program. With resources like YouTube most people can go from no experience to being able to model basic shapes in an evening watching a few videos and performing some tutorials.

There is nothing quite like Fusion360 out there and given they give it to you free for hobbyist I can't recommend it enough. Yes its not easy, but the skills you learn and the power it has will take you very far, 3-4 years ago I didnt even know what 3D modeling was, I learned Fusion I now own 3 3D printers and am in charge of 6 others. and also use Fusion360 to control and design parts for 3 different CNC machines and a Plasma table. All of that on a free software.
Its harder to learn because of how powerful it is, but there are 100's of video tutorial online as well as help groups on facebook and other websites. And if you give it a solid chance you won't regret it

Take a look at OnShape. It's also free for personal use and operates similarly to Fusion 360, but it doesn't have built in CAM yet. Fusion 360's CAM is amazing but if you just want to generate an STL file for 3D printing, I find OnShape a little easier to use since it's been developed from the ground up over the last few years. It's also browser based so there's nothing to install.

Randy

I spent many years drawing with AutoCAD and got pretty good at 3D with it. I was well on my way to really getting great with SketchUp by the time I finished with what I needed it for (designing a deck and finished basement for my house). It sounds like Fusion 360 is on a similar level with SketchUp so that's what I'll try and learn next.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions and input!

Fusion 360 is a very capable tool and really not that difficult once you go through a few tutorials and get the hang of it. The main issue I have is that I don't trust Autodesk's evolving policy and what the future may hold for the tool. Recently, they implemented a more limited version for their free hobbyist/maker category to entice people to move over to a commercial license. Free isn't great for business long term, and I can see them limiting the capability more in the future. For free with no real strings attached, there is OpenSCAD with a decent learning curve. Another option that is not outrageously expensive is Alibre Design. Being a former SolidWorks user, I found Alibre more intuitive than Fusion 360, and the price for the intro package is $119. They will also do a 30 day demo license.

KC3KNM said:

For 3D printing some rocket parts are you really going to need to go much deeper than some basic sketches that you might extrude, do some extruded cuts and maybe if you’re feeling fancy a loft or revolve operation? I’m really not sure what concepts you’re referring to here, most 4 year olds I know have a pretty good handle on extrusions after their first play doh set.

There’s no need to act like you need an advanced degree to model something basic in a CAD program. With resources like YouTube most people can go from no experience to being able to model basic shapes in an evening watching a few videos and performing some tutorials.

Click to expand...

KC3,

True, I may be overly critical, and I am thinking down the line (I've dealt with some who want to achieve a particular result, but haven't the foggiest idea how to approach it..) There have been a few who start with a CAD package, and have no clue how to cut a hole in a part. Some think that the current work plane is the only work plane, and aren't aware that geometry can be added to other surfaces.. "How do you get a hole thru the side of a cylinder?" Fusion is steps above other CAD programs in leaning and use, but regardless of the CAD program, the concepts are pretty much the same.. That is something I feel doesn't always come thru on 'how to' videos.. And I guess that's what I'm trying to stress.


Extruding is pretty straight forward. But when you pull the part into the slicer, it's always upside down. Why? The designer doesn't know the concepts of work planes \ they didn't initially build the part "standing up". Or, when they get more advanced, they still can't get parts to assemble correctly, because they aren't aware that the extrusion can go up, or down, or 'mid-plane' to the work surface.. (and then use the work plane to align / assemble parts as the intended.) The concept of work features: work planes, Axis, work points, and construction geometry..

Or, they may spend hours working on a shape to revolve, and some little thing isn't right so the whole thing fails. When in fact the part might be better off being a few pieces of simple geometry, with a revolved feature at the end (to either add / remove material). Also, easier to control, edit, and troubleshoot in the end. Or they try to get a rounded edge, and go thru the trials of making a 1/4 round shape to 'cut' when the Fillet command / feature should be used.. the concept of breaking the model down into smaller, more manageable pieces of geometry

Or that their nosecone isn't perfect at the base end, because they don't know to make their curved feature 'tangent' to the other initial feature.. Or, that they try to draw a shape. But it goes all wonky as they try to dimension it, because the CAD package has added a bunch of geometric constraints to it.. The concept of containing geometry before adding dimensions..


It's like the person who uses Word, and they have no clue about tab stops. So they tab-tab-tab-space-space-space-space-space-space to get an indented list. Or they manually add page numbers at the bottom..

dr wogz said:

KC3,

True, I may be overly critical, and I am thinking down the line (I've dealt with some who want to achieve a particular result, but haven't the foggiest idea how to approach it..) There have been a few who start with a CAD package, and have no clue how to cut a hole in a part. Some think that the current work plane is the only work plane, and aren't aware that geometry can be added to other surfaces.. "How do you get a hole thru the side of a cylinder?" Fusion is steps above other CAD programs in leaning and use, but regardless of the CAD program, the concepts are pretty much the same.. That is something I feel doesn't always come thru on 'how to' videos.. And I guess that's what I'm trying to stress.


Extruding is pretty straight forward. But when you pull the part into the slicer, it's always upside down. Why? The designer doesn't know the concepts of work planes \ they didn't initially build the part "standing up". Or, when they get more advanced, they still can't get parts to assemble correctly, because they aren't aware that the extrusion can go up, or down, or 'mid-plane' to the work surface.. (and then use the work plane to align / assemble parts as the intended.) The concept of work features: work planes, Axis, work points, and construction geometry..

Or, they may spend hours working on a shape to revolve, and some little thing isn't right so the whole thing fails. When in fact the part might be better off being a few pieces of simple geometry, with a revolved feature at the end (to either add / remove material). Also, easier to control, edit, and troubleshoot in the end. Or they try to get a rounded edge, and go thru the trials of making a 1/4 round shape to 'cut' when the Fillet command / feature should be used.. the concept of breaking the model down into smaller, more manageable pieces of geometry

Or that their nosecone isn't perfect at the base end, because they don't know to make their curved feature 'tangent' to the other initial feature.. Or, that they try to draw a shape. But it goes all wonky as they try to dimension it, because the CAD package has added a bunch of geometric constraints to it.. The concept of containing geometry before adding dimensions..


It's like the person who uses Word, and they have no clue about tab stops. So they tab-tab-tab-space-space-space-space-space-space to get an indented list. Or they manually add page numbers at the bottom..

Click to expand...

Again, all fairly basic concepts. To assume that someone can’t comprehend a work plane is a little much in my opinion. There’s so many resources out there that any hiccups are likely to have at least a handful of videos explaining the concept as well as tutorials walking them through it.

I have no formal training in CAD and worked my way through pretty much every example you’ve mentioned. There’s nothing someone with a high school diploma can’t wrap their heads around here. If a dullard such as myself can get paid to do this stuff, I’m pretty sure sketching some parts for a model rocket is within the reach of anyone who would like to do so.

To clarify, I’m not saying you’re going to be a wizard in Fusion overnight, but I find it hard to believe anyone would struggle to get the basics quickly and have a jumping point for playing around and learning as they go.

Mushtang said:

It sounds like Fusion 360 is on a similar level with SketchUp so that's what I'll try and learn next.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions and input!

Click to expand...

Welcome to the club.

Your first assignment >grin<

https://www.rocketryforum.com/threads/modeling-an-airfoiled-fin-in-f360.152675/

Rob702Martinez said:

NYC CNC to help you with a lot of it.

Click to expand...

Hear hear!

Fusion Fridays and NYC CNC

dr wogz said:

KC3,

True, I may be overly critical, and I am thinking down the line (I've dealt with some who want to achieve a particular result, but haven't the foggiest idea how to approach it..) There have been a few who start with a CAD package, and have no clue how to cut a hole in a part. Some think that the current work plane is the only work plane, and aren't aware that geometry can be added to other surfaces.. "How do you get a hole thru the side of a cylinder?" Fusion is steps above other CAD programs in leaning and use, but regardless of the CAD program, the concepts are pretty much the same.. That is something I feel doesn't always come thru on 'how to' videos.. And I guess that's what I'm trying to stress.


Extruding is pretty straight forward. But when you pull the part into the slicer, it's always upside down. Why? The designer doesn't know the concepts of work planes \ they didn't initially build the part "standing up". Or, when they get more advanced, they still can't get parts to assemble correctly, because they aren't aware that the extrusion can go up, or down, or 'mid-plane' to the work surface.. (and then use the work plane to align / assemble parts as the intended.) The concept of work features: work planes, Axis, work points, and construction geometry..

Or, they may spend hours working on a shape to revolve, and some little thing isn't right so the whole thing fails. When in fact the part might be better off being a few pieces of simple geometry, with a revolved feature at the end (to either add / remove material). Also, easier to control, edit, and troubleshoot in the end. Or they try to get a rounded edge, and go thru the trials of making a 1/4 round shape to 'cut' when the Fillet command / feature should be used.. the concept of breaking the model down into smaller, more manageable pieces of geometry

Or that their nosecone isn't perfect at the base end, because they don't know to make their curved feature 'tangent' to the other initial feature.. Or, that they try to draw a shape. But it goes all wonky as they try to dimension it, because the CAD package has added a bunch of geometric constraints to it.. The concept of containing geometry before adding dimensions..


It's like the person who uses Word, and they have no clue about tab stops. So they tab-tab-tab-space-space-space-space-space-space to get an indented list. Or they manually add page numbers at the bottom..

Click to expand...

I think your giving this knowledge or "understanding" far too much reverence.

https://www.rocketryforum.com/threads/modeling-boat-tail-inventor-2020.153872/

I'm just advocating that understanding a little is better than just blinding doing a lot..

If you spend all day banging nails into a piece of wood, and complain that your arm hurts and the wood keeps on splitting.. Then maybe there's more to it..

dr wogz said:

https://www.rocketryforum.com/threads/modeling-boat-tail-inventor-2020.153872/

I'm just advocating that understanding a little is better than just blinding doing a lot..

If you spend all day banging nails into a piece of wood, and complain that your arm hurts and the wood keeps on splitting.. Then maybe there's more to it..

Click to expand...

Yes, and when my arm got tired I realized I reached the limits of my current methods and pursued more efficient ways of modeling parts.

I understand CAD is your thing, but let’s be realistic. It’s not that complex. If anything, that thread you’ve linked shows how simple and quick it is to go from lost to understanding a concept. If it takes reading a few quick paragraphs to gain an understanding of something, I think it’s safe to conclude it’s not all that complicated.

Ok, we aren't going anywhere with this. Just trying to share some personal experiences with others who were new to CAD..

I apologize for dragging this out. I feel I did go over the line with my last post.. (I was just going to delete it, but it's been seen and replied to.) So again, i apologize to all for being a bit of a, well, male appendage..

Back to the original question. If you are a student, check out Rhino 3D. It’s a very powerful CAD program built to be 3D from the beginning. It’s pricy if you can’t get a discount, but students can get a full license for nearly free.

I use FreeCAD. It has a few issues and quirks but it's not horrible.

I hate tutorials or how-to videos that tell me to click this button, enter this number, click, click, voila. What? Why did I click that button? What is that button. Show me why I am doing what I am doing, not just what to do.

My answer to Mushtang's original question would be OnShape and/or Fusion360 depending on what machine you want to drive. They both are free to hobbyists, and - very importantly - have the same underlying sketch/extrude concept. The big advantages for OnShape is that it's browser based UI is *much* more snappy, and it has a fantastic integrated free tutorial course. You can go straight from OnShape to .stl for 3D printing slicers. For CAM work you can export STEP format, slurp it into Fusion360 and generate your cut profiles and g-code there. The Fusion360 MacOS client is kind of sluggish. If you go through the OnShape course you'll be able to figure out Fusion360 in a hurry.

If someone knows of a really good F360 tutorial series, please post a link!

caveduck said:

If someone knows of a really good F360 tutorial series, please post a link!

Click to expand...

jlabrasca said:

Fusion Fridays and NYC CNC

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caveduck said:

If someone knows of a really good F360 tutorial series, please post a link!

Click to expand...

Check out Lars Christensen. He has a lot of Fusion 360 how to videos including stuff for beginners.

Randy