Improving CAD Designs with Autodesk Fusion 360: A project-based guide to modelling effective parametric designs

Work through multiple design projects in this part-color guide to understand how Autodesk Fusion 360 helps improve efficiency and drafting

Key Features

• Understand the project workflow of Autodesk Fusion 360
• Design and redesign projects while learning to fix errors
• Gain a better insight into repurposing real-world items into Fusion 360 for custom designs
• Purchase of the print or Kindle book includes a free PDF eBook

Book Description

Autodesk Fusion 360 has become an indispensable tool for designers, tinkerers, and engineers worldwide thanks to its versatility that allows for large-scale assemblies and smaller, quick 3D prints. If you’ve faced challenges with learning Fusion 360, this book will help you overcome them and build the confidence to design your own projects, explaining step-by-step instructions and the purpose of each tool.

In this book, you’ll dive into the design workspace and learn sketching fundamentals such as setting up a component, recognizing when a sketch is fully constrained, and parametrically flexing models. Through trial and error, you’ll work on multiple easy-to-build projects to create simple, useful items that can be quickly 3D printed for use around the house and then advance to much bigger projects that require joint connectivity and large assemblies.

By the end of this book, you’ll be able to sketch fully parametric designs, translate them into 3D models, and create your own unique designs.

What you will learn

• Gain proficiency in Fusion 360 user interface, navigation, and functionality
• Create and transform simple 2D sketches into 3D models
• Manipulate and control parametric 2D sketches using dimensions
• Become familiar with drafting on paper and taking measurements with calipers
• Create a bicycle assembly part with Fusion 360
• Use the form environment to create organic shapes
• Render a 3D model and understand how to apply materials and lighting
• Generate 2D assembly model drawings for documentation purposes

Who this book is for

Beginner or intermediate designers who prefer hands-on learning will find this book useful, especially designers, woodworkers, 3D printing enthusiasts, and hobbyists who enjoy creating things, rather than experienced machinists. The basic projects are accessible without prior CAD skills, although some fundamental CAD understanding is beneficial for those interested in going further. It is highly recommended that you use a 3-button mouse for all projects to fully utilize floating pop-up menus.

Table of Contents

1. Working within the Design Workspace
2. Planes, Sketches, Constraints, and Parametric Dimensions
3. Project Building Basics
4. Creating a Customizable S-Hook
5. Designing Decorative Doorknobs
6. Designing a Simple Bottle Holder
7. Creating a Bike Reference Model
8. Creating a Bottle Reference Model
9. Building the Bottle Holder
10. Improving the Bottle Holder Design
11. The FORM Environment
12. Modeling a Scary Tealight Ghost
13. Using Form and Solid Modeling to Create a Cushioned Chair
14. Using a Scanned Image to Create a 3D Model
15. Modeling a Bottle Topper

Kevin Land is a Certified AutoCAD Instructor and has worked in a variety of disciplines throughout his 25 year career within Electrical, Landscape, Piping, Mechanical, and Architectural firms. He is skilled in a variety of software ranging from AutoCAD, Microstation, Revit, Solidworks, and Fusion 360. He is a freelance instructor who teaches at institutes like Future Media Concepts and NETCOM Learning. He currently works at Disney World as a Designer in the Ride & Show department and loves working on his favorite rides. He holds a Bachelors of Science in Applied Technology from Wilmington University and in his free time likes to play with his 11-year-old daughter, design 3D printing objects, and make low budget movies.