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A review of the key differences in design workflow between Tinkercad and Fusion, and how to get started using Fusion after having experience using Tinkercad.
Type:
Tutorial
Length:
5 min.
Transcript
00:03
There are several things you need to be aware of when making the switch from SolidWorks to Fusion.
00:08
The first is that Fusion stores all your data in the cloud.
00:13
This allows you to avoid any issues associated with local file storage tracking, file versions, storage size copies, and so on.
00:23
Working with your data in the cloud allows you the freedom to design and collaborate with others,
00:28
knowing your data is wherever you are without having to make copies to take with you.
00:33
You can also leverage the cloud to process simulations, produce high-quality renders,
00:38
and more without eating up precious computing resources or time.
00:43
Fusion is not just a CAD modeling tool; it is the complete package.
00:48
Fusion can be used for parametric and freeform design, direct editing, animations, rendering, simulation, and CAM all wrapped up into one.
01:01
You do not have to buy a third party, add-in to run CAM, and when you decide you need to run a simulation,
01:07
you can take advantage of all the tools right in Fusion.
01:11
Another advantage is that Fusion has no service packs.
01:16
You never have to worry about someone sending you a newer version of a SolidWorks file that you cannot open
01:22
or a file from a student version.
01:25
With Fusion, everyone is on the same platform, which updates automatically.
01:31
This means that everyone has all the latest functionality, and any problems that may pop up are fixed right away.
01:38
Also, in Fusion, you and the entire Fusion community can preview functionality not fully released.
01:46
With so many users opting in, you can be sure that when something does make it into the full production release, it is stable.
01:54
And yes, there is an offline mode, should you ever need to work disconnected.
01:60
Just keep working, save the file, and when your network is back up, the files update automatically.
02:07
One file is all you need in Fusion.
02:10
Sketches, bodies, components, and assemblies are all in one design.
02:17
Think of it as a multi-body part file that can also be an assembly with motion renders, simulation data, subdivided models,
02:26
CAM tool pass, and so on.
02:29
Also, individual files can be linked into distributed designs.
02:35
You can choose the version you want to use, and you can even break links to bring the entire model in,
02:41
including all the sketches and all the features.
02:45
The Fusion browser provides a single source for your designs, the browser contains sketches, origins, bodies,
02:52
and components, as well as analysis results, like section views and zebra stripes.
02:58
While the feature manager tree in SolidWorks is essentially split into two different things.
03:03
It handles properties, configurations, and appearances, as well as the features and sketches.
03:11
The Timeline captures a time-based history of sketches, features, movements, and more.
03:17
It can show you features that belong to only certain components during the edits,
03:22
which helps to simplify the model feature you are working on.
03:26
In SolidWorks, when you build assemblies in motion, you must figure out which mates go together for certain parts.
03:34
There are standard mates like concentric and parallel, and advanced ones like mechanical mates.
03:40
In Fusion, however, the basic mates have been combined into a single joint.
03:45
So, when you assemble components, you use a joint to describe the desired motion.
03:51
You simply add a joint, then choose the motion type and joint alignment.
03:57
There is also an as-built joint, which considers each model's location and the design intent of all the components.
04:05
This makes the process of creating joints much easier.
04:10
Lastly, the Fusion development team provides a public roadmap where they tell you exactly what they are working on for months in advance.
04:19
Additionally, updates happen regularly in weeks instead of months.
04:24
There is also a community forum where users can suggest new features and vote on them,
04:30
to prioritize them for development, which gives you much more control over how you use Fusion.
Video transcript
00:03
There are several things you need to be aware of when making the switch from SolidWorks to Fusion.
00:08
The first is that Fusion stores all your data in the cloud.
00:13
This allows you to avoid any issues associated with local file storage tracking, file versions, storage size copies, and so on.
00:23
Working with your data in the cloud allows you the freedom to design and collaborate with others,
00:28
knowing your data is wherever you are without having to make copies to take with you.
00:33
You can also leverage the cloud to process simulations, produce high-quality renders,
00:38
and more without eating up precious computing resources or time.
00:43
Fusion is not just a CAD modeling tool; it is the complete package.
00:48
Fusion can be used for parametric and freeform design, direct editing, animations, rendering, simulation, and CAM all wrapped up into one.
01:01
You do not have to buy a third party, add-in to run CAM, and when you decide you need to run a simulation,
01:07
you can take advantage of all the tools right in Fusion.
01:11
Another advantage is that Fusion has no service packs.
01:16
You never have to worry about someone sending you a newer version of a SolidWorks file that you cannot open
01:22
or a file from a student version.
01:25
With Fusion, everyone is on the same platform, which updates automatically.
01:31
This means that everyone has all the latest functionality, and any problems that may pop up are fixed right away.
01:38
Also, in Fusion, you and the entire Fusion community can preview functionality not fully released.
01:46
With so many users opting in, you can be sure that when something does make it into the full production release, it is stable.
01:54
And yes, there is an offline mode, should you ever need to work disconnected.
01:60
Just keep working, save the file, and when your network is back up, the files update automatically.
02:07
One file is all you need in Fusion.
02:10
Sketches, bodies, components, and assemblies are all in one design.
02:17
Think of it as a multi-body part file that can also be an assembly with motion renders, simulation data, subdivided models,
02:26
CAM tool pass, and so on.
02:29
Also, individual files can be linked into distributed designs.
02:35
You can choose the version you want to use, and you can even break links to bring the entire model in,
02:41
including all the sketches and all the features.
02:45
The Fusion browser provides a single source for your designs, the browser contains sketches, origins, bodies,
02:52
and components, as well as analysis results, like section views and zebra stripes.
02:58
While the feature manager tree in SolidWorks is essentially split into two different things.
03:03
It handles properties, configurations, and appearances, as well as the features and sketches.
03:11
The Timeline captures a time-based history of sketches, features, movements, and more.
03:17
It can show you features that belong to only certain components during the edits,
03:22
which helps to simplify the model feature you are working on.
03:26
In SolidWorks, when you build assemblies in motion, you must figure out which mates go together for certain parts.
03:34
There are standard mates like concentric and parallel, and advanced ones like mechanical mates.
03:40
In Fusion, however, the basic mates have been combined into a single joint.
03:45
So, when you assemble components, you use a joint to describe the desired motion.
03:51
You simply add a joint, then choose the motion type and joint alignment.
03:57
There is also an as-built joint, which considers each model's location and the design intent of all the components.
04:05
This makes the process of creating joints much easier.
04:10
Lastly, the Fusion development team provides a public roadmap where they tell you exactly what they are working on for months in advance.
04:19
Additionally, updates happen regularly in weeks instead of months.
04:24
There is also a community forum where users can suggest new features and vote on them,
04:30
to prioritize them for development, which gives you much more control over how you use Fusion.
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