Transitioning from SolidWorks to Autodesk Fusion can be challenging, particularly in adapting to the user interface (UI) and user experience (UX). However, with a few adjustments and tips, you can align Fusion more closely with SolidWorks, easing the transition. This article explores essential navigation and preferences in Fusion to help you navigate and customize the software effectively from the outset.

Pan, zoom, and orbit

One of the biggest hurdles when switching from SolidWorks to Fusion is adjusting to the navigation controls. In Fusion, the default settings for navigation are:

• Pan: Hold down the middle mouse button.
• Orbit: Hold down Shift and the middle mouse button.
• Zoom: Use the middle mouse wheel.
• Zoom to fit: Double-click the middle mouse wheel.

In SolidWorks, the middle mouse button is always free orbit and cannot be configured. To make Fusion’s navigation behave like SolidWorks, go to User Preferences under the General section and select Pan, Zoom, and Orbit Shortcuts. Choose the SolidWorks option to make the navigation familiar.

Creating and managing sketches

When creating a new sketch in Fusion, the default setting displays the default origins every time you select the Create Sketch tool. In SolidWorks, this only happens for the first sketch. Additionally, SolidWorks automatically goes to a normal to view when you select a sketch plane, meaning the view is perpendicular to the sketch plane.

In Fusion, you can enable this by going to User Preferences under the Design section and turning on Auto Look at Sketch. This will automatically switch to a normal view when you select a sketch plane and revert to the previous view once you finish the sketch.

When sketching, you can enter dimensions just like in SolidWorks. If you place a dimension later that is much larger, Fusion allows you to auto-scale and refit the sketch to the screen. To enable this feature, go to User Preferences under the Design section and turn on Scale Entire Sketch at First Dimension.

Navigating components and assemblies

In SolidWorks, you have a Feature Manager Design Tree on the left side with tabs for configurations and various options. In Fusion, the left side hosts a Browser, and at the bottom, you have a Timeline. The timeline captures the history of everything you’ve done in the design.

Fusion’s design environment differs from SolidWorks in that assemblies and parts are within the same design. You can activate components to change the display, reducing the opacity of inactive components and adjusting the timeline to show only the relevant features and sketches for the active component. Right-clicking and selecting Isolate will hide everything else, allowing you to focus on a specific component.

Identifying and managing features

Fusion makes it easy to find features in the browser and timeline. Right-click on an object and choose Find in Browser to automatically expand the browser to the selected item. Similarly, Find in Timeline will highlight the creation of that feature in the timeline. These tools are invaluable when working with complex designs.

Grouping and simplifying

For better organization, you can create folders in the browser and timeline, grouping related features and components. Fusion also allows you to change the color of components in an assembly, which doesn’t affect the material or appearance but helps in identifying components visually.

To enable this, go to the gear icon in the bottom right and turn on Component Color Swatch. This color-codes the browser and timeline without altering the on-screen appearance, making it easier to navigate complex assemblies.

Additional navigation tools

Fusion’s Navigation Bar at the bottom center of the screen offers several tools:

• Constrained Orbit: Allows rotating the view within specific constraints.
• Zoom Window: Focuses on a specific area.
• Display Settings: Change visual style, environment, scene, and effects.

Fusion also offers a Multiple View Workspace, enabling linked views between top, front, and side perspectives. The ViewCube in the upper right corner helps switch views and configure perspective settings.

Contextual menus and shortcuts

Fusion’s right-click menu is contextual and adapts to the current task, offering relevant options. The S key shortcut menu provides quick access to frequently used tools, which you can customize to fit your workflow.

Navigating Autodesk Fusion and setting preferences to mimic SolidWorks can make the transition smoother and improve your efficiency. By adjusting settings for pan, zoom, and orbit, managing sketches, and utilizing the browser and timeline effectively, you can streamline your workflow. Additionally, leveraging navigation tools, grouping features, and using contextual menus will help you become proficient in Fusion. Explore these options and practice to become comfortable with Fusion’s powerful capabilities.