In general, what’s the easiest way to get your design completed. I use fusion 360 and every 3 months or so they upgrade the software and the struggle begins again. My biggest complaint with Langmuir is that they don’t have any design software that supports their table!! My table works great but 80% of my time is spent fighting fusion 360. I just need a simple non changing software.
Can you elaborate more on what the issue you have is exactly?
Fusion does periodically update, but it’s been pretty consistent in terms of where items are located and how the workflow goes.
You have your DESIGN tab, which remains mostly unchanged for some years now (CAD).
Then you have your MANUFACTURE tab, which covers creating your machine code (CAM).
But yes, updates are rolled out often and your work should not be affected at all. I’ve been using Fusion 360 for going on 4 years now for 3 different CNC tables without issue.
Also keep in mind you’re welcome to use other CAD software as well. Some use Inkscape, others QCAD, Solidworks, lots of others are available out there.
Maybe you should consider SheetCAM. I use F360, but a lot of members here love it.
Can you show a picture of one of your designs? I’m just curious about their complexity because to be honest after almost 4 years of using F360, the updates rarely if ever change the way I do things. Maybe my designs are just simpler than yours.
LS doesn’t offer CAD software because their is already plenty available that produces the files necessary to cut with their system. Basically, almost no return on investment.
When you find it let us all know. ![]()
Qcad is a simple, free 2d cad program. It might be a bit of an adjustment transitioning from an Autodesk program. I tried it and didn’t really like it because it was just too big of a change from the cad programs I have used historically at work which are both Autodesk programs (AutoCad and Revit). I dont think there are huge changes for Qcad… but I doubt you will find any software that doesn’t change with updates.
You might be referring to the recent change in Fusion with the opening menu. If you pick Hybrid Design, you will get the setup that has been the traditional for several years:
You can avoid that menu and choice by setting it as default in your “Preferences.” When it is set as your ‘preference’ then you won’t get that menu any longer (That tip was shared by Tom or Bret, I think):
Last night when opened the design page it had a blue background. I’m designing some clocks with a college theme. I got to the point to extrude the design and it flat out would not work. The only thing that was different was the color blue background. Have no clue why it was blue…. Logged out and it came back blue over and over. After searching, discovered different colors are used base the type of designs (maybe your designing wiring schematics) Anyway, the help screen guided me through the process to change the color back white. I did import a uga logo as my canvas to work from which I have done before with success. I will attach some projects I have completed.
How long have you been using fusion?
If not long it takes time. There are lots of layers and it take a fair amount of time to learn it . And if you’re older and don’t use it a lot, you may forget some of it.
Share your f3d file and we can give you a quicker answer.
I change the setting, so I will give it another try again. It was set on electronic design. Not sure if that had anything to do with problem but we find out shortly. I need to work with software weekly so I do forget things! thanks
For about 3 years. Number one problem is that i don’t use it daily. I will go 2 or 3 months between projects and forget the tricks I learned the last time.
I play around in Fusion a lot and still forget things. There are many good people on here that will help you back on track and will NOT make you feel bad.
There are a few people on here that will help you solve your issue and teach you some new techniques along the way. It is fun to watch them work their magic.
…BUT, I urge you not to throw the baby away with the bath water. It sounds like you know enough about Fusion that I would say it is worth sticking with it. It is a very powerful program…just try not to get overwhelmed.
I am pretty sure that was an issue for you. I have never worked in that environment but I just opened it up to see and that is confusing…to say the least.
Maybe you just have a minor flaw like open contour. Like Jim said below, show us the .dxf file and we’ll help you out.
right click on sketch name
select Export DXF
click okay if units are correct
save file
I firgured it out… rookie mistake. When I selected my plane from the block in the right hand corner, I open my sketch tool and went to the center point and made a 15 in circle. What I failed to realize is that I was starting my drawing on the corner of the block which means the extrude tool is not going to work. Such a stupid mistake….you can’t draw a flat design on the corner of a block.
Last night I was working on a design and it has two components. I am now needing to relearn how to work with components because they now have this “Edit in place”, rather than activating a component and working on it.
One component acted as usual and the other was the “Edit in place.” So I am feeling a little like a rookie now.
That was always the case for External components. With the new ‘modes’ you’re either forced to have external components or you have a choice with Hybrid mode. But, in this case, you need to explicitly check External or Internal when you create a component. Not rookie, new operations…
Thanks Tom. You know me…still learning the component thing.
The Component Thing is what makes Fusion so powerful! Especially External components that you can ‘Edit In Place’. ![]()
I also have an issue with 360, and none of the programs Langmuir list to use are usable for me. f 360, the fact that they restrict everything and require a subscription makes them unusable. I have v carve pro and use freecad for some stuff, although they also constantly change the way things work which is very annoying!
Fusion is completely free, and I’ve been using it for +4 years without paying a single cent.
Drew this up the night before.
And got to cutting and bending parts yesterday.
Fusion is free, and works great.
Yep, Im sure it works great for some, not for me, free version does not allow certin things that I require for what I do, paid version is to restrictive as well. Sorry, for me its a program ill never use.
Its kinda like the difference between me and someone else who would actualy shop at walmart or amazon, which I would never do.





