• Fusion

Generative design in manufacturing

Generative design is a design exploration process. Designers or engineers input design goals into the generative design software, along with parameters such as performance or spatial requirements, materials, manufacturing methods, and cost constraints. The software explores all the possible permutations of a solution, quickly generating design alternatives. It tests and learns from each iteration what works and what doesn’t. Learn the foundational concepts required to perform an analysis. You'll start with a closer look at what generative design is, then progress through model preparation, design space, constraint and conditions, and finally explore results generated.


Course overview

Generative design is a design exploration process. Designers or engineers input design goals into the generative design software, along with parameters such as performance or spatial requirements, materials, manufacturing methods, and cost constraints. The software explores all the possible permutations of a solution, quickly generating design alternatives. It tests and learns from each iteration what works and what doesn’t.

Learn the foundational concepts required to perform an analysis. You'll start with a closer look at what generative design is, then progress through model preparation, design space, constraint and conditions, and finally explore results generated.

Course outline

10 min.

Generative Design Connected Learning Part 1: What is Generative Design

Knowing a little more detailed information about what generative design is and how it can be used will give the proper background to starting later exercises.

Knowing a little more detailed information about what generative design is and how it can be used will give the proper background to starting later exercises.

You will learn:

  • How to outline what is Generative Design.
  • What are the benefits of Generative Design.
  • How it compares to topology optimization.

About the author

This content was created by Apolo Vanderberg, Autodesk Designated Specialist and Instructor focused on CFD and Generative Design.

Before you start

  • Please make sure you have Autodesk Fusion software loaded and installed.
  • If you have technical difficulties, please reach out to product support.
  • To collaborate with other industry professionals taking the module, or if you have questions or feedback during the module, please visit the module forum

DISCLAIMER: This content demonstrates methods that can be applied when completing a simulation study in order to demonstrate software capabilities and possible workflows. The simulation study shown follows design assumptions that are not mentioned in the videos – users should apply engineering judgement when working on their own project.


30 min.

Generative Design Connected Learning Part 2: Prepare CAD Model

Knowing a little more about the process of modifying CAD geometry for use within generative design will allow you to take those concepts to real-world exercises.

Knowing a little more about the process of modifying CAD geometry for use within generative design will allow you to take those concepts to real-world exercises.

Learn the following skills:

  • Starting projects in Fusion
  • Entering Generative workspace
  • Model Edits
  • Design Space considerations

About the author

This content was created by Apolo Vanderberg, Autodesk Designated Specialist and Instructor focused on CFD and Generative Design.

Before you start


30 min.

Generative Design Connected Learning Part 3: Design Conditions

Design conditions allow us to input expected loads and constraints to the model at hand. These load cases allow us to represent different conditions the desired outcome will have to endure.

Design conditions allow us to input expected loads and constraints to the model at hand. These load cases allow us to represent different conditions the desired outcome will have to endure.

Learn the following skills:

  • How to assign constraints
  • How to create multiple load cases 

About the author

This content was created by Apolo Vanderberg, Autodesk Designated Specialist and Instructor focused on CFD and Generative Design.

Before you start


15 min.

Generative Design Connected Learning Part 4: Design Criteria

This content covers more details about target objectives and manufacturability of the expected outcomes from generative design in addition to material selection and costing.

This content covers more details about target objectives and manufacturability of the expected outcomes from generative design in addition to material selection and costing.

Learn the following skills:

  • What objectives are
  • Background on Manufacturing constraints available
  • How to choose materials that include costing data

About the author

This content was created by Apolo Vanderberg, Autodesk Designated Specialist and Instructor focused on CFD and Generative Design.

Before you start


10 min.

Generative Design Connected Learning Part 5: Preview and Generate

Step through leveraging Pre-check to ensure models will run, Previewer to get initial insight into what outcomes may look like, and submitting jobs for generation.

Step through leveraging Pre-check to ensure models will run, Previewer to get initial insight into what outcomes may look like, and submitting jobs for generation.

Learn the following skills:

  • Pre-check and its outputs
  • How to change Previewer settings
  • Submitting for generation

About the author

This content was created by Apolo Vanderberg, Autodesk Designated Specialist and Instructor focused on CFD and Generative Design.

Before you start


15 min.

Generative Design Connected Learning Part 6: Explore

With outcomes produced, we step through each of the methods for interrogating and comparing results to help narrow down outcomes.

With outcomes produced, we step through each of the methods for interrogating and comparing results to help narrow down outcomes.

Learn the following skills:

  • Filter Outcomes.
  • Compare Outcomes side by side.
  • Create model from Generative outcome.

About the author

This content was created by Apolo Vanderberg, Autodesk Designated Specialist and Instructor focused on CFD and Generative Design.

Before you start