Fusion 360 Reviews

“Helpful timeline feature

Pros

I've found the timeline tool really useful because it lets me go back and tweak dimensions without having to rebuild the entire CAD model.

Cons

My rig needs to be fairly powerful and I also have to set aside a substantial amount of disk space.

“Easy to handle

Pros

I'm comfortable using it because it's easy to pick up and I see fast progress. As a hobbyist I'm glad it's free to use.

Cons

Not all features are available to me on the free plan. I found several functions disabled.

“Limited printing options

Pros

Its very easy to manage and it has plenty of toolbars that make constructing 3D models easier.

Cons

My experience is that the rotation views aren't very smooth and the printing options are quite limited.

“Best option for 3D CAD

Pros

As a maker, I think it is currently the best option for 3D CAD because it makes creating complex parts simple and fast.

Cons

I do notice it can feel a bit clunky sometimes, just like many other CAD programs which gets frustrating.

“My go-to program for creating 3D models

Pros

We're finding this tool extremely versatile and easy to use. It's become my go-to program for creating 3D models.

Cons

It took me a while to get comfortable with it since it takes time to learn although after putting in some effort I'm able to sketch out simple models.

“The laggy nature of the program makes it unusable

Pros

This parametric design software allows me to easily modify previously created features.

Cons

Fusion causes a lot of frustration because of its slow and laggy performance. Even on my modern Mac M1, it's impossible to accomplish any work efficiently within the software.

“Fusion 360 does not help me at all and is complicated

Pros

I can color objects and alter their appearance, along with creating engineering drawings.

Cons

It's needlessly confusing which makes simple tasks like clicking or deleting specific elements a cumbersome process.

“Great tools for CAD for home projects, small tasks

Pros

Fusion 360 software offers a wide range of tools that improve efficiency and detail in the model, such as the thread creation tool. It also integrates well with manufacturing tools.

Cons

Compared to other CAD tools, Fusion lacks collaborative features and navigating assemblies can be challenging.

“Very useful.

Pros

I personally use the free version and it's probably the best "free" 3D software available. It's user-friendly and interactive.

Cons

The sketch tool leaves much to be desired. The lack of visual clarity with blue on blue colors and the finicky snap function make sketching a hassle. Sketching was much faster and easier with tools like Autocad R14 (even though it was a long time ago and what I am accustomed to). Additionally, I am not a fan of cloud-based software since I often work while traveling.

“How fusion broke my heart

Pros

Fusion 360 is an amazing program! It has everything a designer needs. Parametric 3D CAD? Yes, sir! Simulations? Check! Collaboration? No problem! PCBs? No problem! It covers CNC, laser cutting, and 3D printing. Until recently, the hobbyist license offered functionality similar to the enterprise version, but that has changed.

Cons

The license model is flawed. The hobbyist license becomes useless once you're accustomed to all the enterprise functions. Fusion is heavily promoted in schools and colleges, but once you have to pay for it, the cost is too steep for a hobbyist. That's why I stopped using Fusion.

“good 3d software for hobby

Pros

The interface is very simple and intuitive which makes it easy to take the first steps.

Cons

Since it's primarily designed as a hobby program, creating complex projects can be challenging. Some commands are missing or difficult to locate.

“Low cost but powerful CAD package

Pros

Compared to other CAD packages, Fusion 360 has an incredibly low cost, and it's easy to get started with. It can perform most of the tasks you would expect from a modern CAD package, and the cloud features make collaboration very convenient.

Cons

The technical drawing package still needs improvement, especially if you're working on large commercial products. In comparison to software like SolidWorks, Fusion can be cumbersome to use when dealing with massive products that have complex feature trees and hundreds of components.

“The software for modeling and simulating your designs.

Pros

I really like the cloud functionality as it allows me to store my models on cloud servers and access them anytime. The fabrication feature is also excellent as it enables me to generate tool paths for machining parts and 3D printing.

Cons

I haven't encountered any negative points so far but that might be because I've only used it a few times for a couple of projects.

“Quality 3-D modeling software that is inexpensive and user friendly

Pros

Fusion 360 is affordable and fulfills 99% of my modeling needs. The user interface is simple and intuitive. It strikes a good balance between providing easily accessible essential features without overcrowding the interface with numerous options that are just one click away, if you can find the right "button."

Cons

Initially, I faced an issue with Fusion 360 during updates, which wasn't directly related to the software itself but rather the updating experience. My IT team struggled with it, almost leading me to consider canceling the subscription and switching to OnShape, a cloud-based alternative that doesn't require IT involvement. However, to be fair to AutoDesk, I never encountered problems updating the hobbyist version on my personal laptop. Fortunately, the last couple of updates were more manageable for my IT team so it seems they have overcome the learning curve. This issue doesn't seem to be a problem anymore. Another concern I had was the lack of ability to incorporate weld symbols into drawings. But, Fusion 360 addressed this by adding the capability, allowing me to provide detailed drawings with weld symbols without the need for manual workarounds. This concern has also been resolved. The only remaining drawback I have with Fusion 360 is its simulation capabilities. I had moderate expectations for the FEA tool, but it seems limited in terms of credits and types of simulations like linear FEA. It feels like AutoDesk is merely ticking the box to say Fusion 360 can perform FEA. My recommendation is to explore other tools like SimScale, Abaqus or Ansys for simulation needs.

“Number one of 3D modeling and simulation

Pros

Fusion 360 offers abundant references and resources for learning and training. The software is packed with functions and features, and its simulation capabilities make it the best 3D modeling software.

Cons

Fusion 360 comes with a slightly higher price tag, and it's not specifically designed to the dental field.

“My experience with FUSION 360

Pros

With Fusion, I can create new things from scratch and bring them to life. Once I master the CAD and 3D functions, I can model pieces in various materials and render them or transfer them to other software for manufacturing. Learning it from scratch isn't easy due to its many features, but the advantage is that there's an abundance of learning material on YouTube and in the Adobe community.

Cons

The main con I believe is the price mainly if you don't have access to a student or enterprise account, as it can be quite expensive. However, considering the extensive features and user-friendly interface, it's worth the investment. Another point to note is that learning Fusion 360 from scratch may not be easy, but there is ample learning material available online.

“Very good!

Pros

This software is really impressive! I love how easily I can create 3D drawings and prototypes on paper.

Cons

One aspect that bothers me is the lack of version control. Since I alternate between using Fusion on my PC and the online version, there are times when I have to update Fusion on my PC because my project won't open. Having an automatic update feature or an option to choose the desired version would be ideal.

“Collaboration and Power in Design

Pros

Fusion 360 provides collaboration tools and powerful features for 3D design, including parametric modeling and simulation capabilities.

Cons

Fusion 360 requires an internet connection for access and may have a slightly overwhelming user interface, with occasional crashes reported by some users. Additionally, the pricing may not be appealing for freelancers.

“headache

Pros

I rely on machining and can't afford any delays caused by unresponsive or malfunctioning software.

Cons

I experienced frequent hangs, software instability, and unpredictable behavior with f360. The lack of fast and reliable customer support added to the frustration.

“Decent Product, Just Expensive.

Pros

Once you become familiar with Fusion 360, it's fantastic. I can quickly create models and test them digitally.

Cons

Certain parts of the user interface feel clunky, and it's disappointing that there is no dark mode available, especially when other Autodesk tools like AutoCAD offer it.