PDF User Manual for Fusion 360 [Ultimate] (2024)

There should be an easy way for many, common functions followed by intuitiveguided user interface that pops upso we then learn the complex and honestly, proper way to do it since the application is ultimately intended to create extremely complex and finely tuned objects.

For whatever reason the support is a mess of tutorials with no tabulation system for us to navigate through them,seek simplified, exacting answers for a simple process and for some reason, the control system for creating, modifying and manipulating is the furthest thing from intuitive and practical. If you're going to go extreme at least create user support so a simple procedure to modify a simple object doesn't turn into 2-3 hours of slopping through information and the program.
A programlike Sketchup when I want to chop a flat bottom onto a sphere it's a very simple, logical process relative to how you do things in Windows paint.

It would make sense to incorporate a dumbed down interface so new users and learning amateurs can do something as simple as I've mentioned by left clicking, drawing a square, chopping the bottom offwith the standardparameter pop ups for exacting the axis depths, and THEN an information bubble appears showing how to do it the complicated way that is a pita to learn, however, I have gotten far enough with the program to understand why the U.I. is so challenging and ultimately, nonsensical when you're first learning.

As I've toyed with more complex designs and modifications, the screwy interface is actually more precise and versatile than the way you would do it in something more traditional such as Sketchup. You can knock out 3-4 processes in a single step with the GUI system in Fusion 360 which is why I keep returning to it.

So I know how to get my flat bottom on that sphere am I even doing it the most practical, efficient way?
I doubt it and therein lies the problem with the GUI and lack of support!
Odds are F360 will still end up on the top of the pile in a few more years for the preferred application in all things 2 and 3D CAD.

The average craftsman, teenager or housewife that wants to get into engineering, 3D graphical art etc. etc. etc?

I think after a week of hands on guided assistance you would find most would expect a paycheck from you to keep learning F360.

It's a labor of love which separates the tinkerers from the inventors and engineers.
I understand many people consider the program to be for hobbyists and amateurs, however, I've been at this for a few years and made the most progress with F360.
I've been to 3 different colleges 2 for electrical/electronic engineering and you could not pay me to go through SolidWorks CAD and CNC courses at this point in my life considering the massive courseload and cost involved. Some of the absurd, demeaning hoops you jump through as prerequisitesjust to get into CAD or CNC courses are one more reason our education system in the USA is corrupt, money grab and ultimately, failure causing us to fall so far behind in engineering, manufacturing and outright inventing technology you may as well move to the UK, Europe or even Asia if you want to get a competent curriculum for your degree and teachers that aren't incompetent idiots.

For these reason if you are really serious about learning design and manufacturing be it personal or commercial production, I don't think there's a better option than F360.
I now actually feel fortunate to be returning to my original school to wrap up my education in engineering because I don't have to go through CAD and realized after a couple months with the other school, I would much rather tough it out with F360 than some incompetent idiot that isn't fit to fry hamburgers let alone teach drafting and engineering courses. My struggles with F360 are a pittance compared to a moron teacher making 6 figures a year to explain and demonstrate absolutely nothing in a drafting class that is simply outdated and useless but required to move into CAD, advanced circuits, CNC etc. etc. etc.
When you talk to grads from the school or further progressed students that tell you they remember absolutely nothing from this nightmare course and idiot teacher, Fusion 360 looks like a godsend!