Fusion 360
The beginnings of the group
Following on from the presentation by Brian Neale in January 2016 when he provided an overview of the many 3D CAD packages available, members of the Digital Group interested in 3D modelling met on 20th February to hear an introduction to the use of Fusion 360 by Peter Edwards (see Fusion 360 handout 20 February 2016). The group decided to meet online on a regular basis so that they could share their knowledge of 3D modelling and allow others to learn from their experiences.
Video recordings of the subsequent demonstrations and presentations are available by following the links below (when the link opens, you will be asked for a name and email address; this is not a log-in and you do not need to be pre-registered with AnyMeeting):
- Brian Neale gave an introduction to 3D Modelling at Marshall House.
- Peter Edwards gave a demonstration of getting going with Fusion (20th February).
- Alan Martin gave a demonstration of modelling a spoked loco wheel (2nd March).
- Brian Neale demonstrated sketching using constraints and projection (16th March). (See also Notes on Fusion 360 tutorial session ).
- Peter Edwards modelled a simple frame and inserted some components from another design (30th March).
- Brian Neale gave an introduction to the art of introducing joints to your model. (27th April ).
- Graeme Durant showed us how to add rendering to a model (25th May).
- Gareth Hughes introduced the generation of 2D drawings from your model (8th June)
- Don Rutherford illustrated the use of motion simulation on a model of a simple horizontal engine (22nd June)
- Mike Gammie gave a run-through of various F360 techniques (12th September)
- Graeme Durant gave us a session on getting started with F360 CAM (26th September)
- Fusion 360 summary session – hints, tips and questions from the floor! (24th October)
Just a reminder: Fusion360 is available free to hobby users but don’t be misled into thinking that it is a “noddy” program. It is a serious and powerful package and the parents, Autodesk, are explicit that they intend it to remain available at no charge to users such as ourselves for the forseeable future. Only time will tell, of course.
9 comments for Fusion 360
Please use this “comments” area to ask questions, make suggestions, or discuss finer points of Fusion 360.
If you have looked for something in the SMEE Digital Library recently you will have noticed that the link is no longer in operation. Adrian Garner as webmaster and others are looking for the best way to make materials such as video and supporting documents easily available to members. Once that has been sorted, information on how to access those resources will be flagged up in the Latest News window. Watch the space.
Hi, Fusion 360, I feel I am being led in circles, never finding the ‘links below’
We have now updated all the links to previous presentations and I hope that you can now find them.
Did anything come of the group F360 project? I am creating my own library of parts, e.g. rails 56.5″ apart…
Eventually I would like to model a 5″ GWR ‘Toad’ Brake van.
Is anyone interested in collaborating?
Not as far as I know, Phil. It seemed like a good idea, but on the whole I think that members are beavering away on their own projects and using F360 as they require it. My own CNC router was designed with the aid of F360, but even then I have not actually drawn the whole machine, just the principal components and details as I needed them. The idea of a library of common parts for something like rolling stock is a great thought although I’m not sure if many of the F360 session participants are actually railway people! Be interesting to see if anyone picks up on this; it would be a good question to bring up at one of the Monday evening sessions.
Many thanks to Graeme Durant for video 11 !
You mention that Fusion 360 is free for hobby users but how do you get it free. Do you need to register as a student? If so what do you put down as your ‘educational role’
The trick (although it is not easy to find the information on the Autodesk site!) is to sign up for a 30d free trial. Towards the end of the trial you will be prompted to buy a licence, and at this point you can specify that you want a “home and hobby user” licence. This is free, and actually gives you access to full F360 functionality, more than the basic paid-for licence gives. I’m not sure about educational licences – I believe that there is a way to sign up for one of these which gives access to quite a few Autodesk products. Verification needs you to have an email address at an appropriate eductational establishment.