Selin Cinemre
Elevate your design and manufacturing processes with Autodesk Fusion
The Fusion Data Panel is at the heart of managing and collaborating on projects in Autodesk Fusion, a cloud-enabled design platform. Whether you’re new to Fusion or looking to optimize your workflow, mastering the Data Panel is essential for organizing designs, collaborating effectively, and accessing advanced tools like generative design and simulation. Here’s a concise guide to help you get started.
Cloud-based data management
Fusion combines local software installation with cloud-based data storage. This setup allows seamless collaboration and access to powerful features while ensuring your designs are always secure. Upon creating an Autodesk account, users should set up a team hub to manage projects and enable shared access across collaborators.
Navigating the data panel
The Data Panel provides a clear, hierarchical view of your designs and projects:
- Accessing the panel: Click “Show Data Panel” to open it and view all projects in your team hub.
- Organizing with subfolders: Use subfolders within projects to maintain structure and clarity.
Collaborating with permissions
Fusion offers flexible permission settings to manage project access:
- Project-level access: Default setting that grants collaborators access to all files within a project.
- Folder-level permissions: Restrict access to specific subfolders for enhanced control. (Note: This change is irreversible.)
Fusion also supports various project types—open, closed, secret, and folder-level—allowing tailored collaboration for diverse needs.
Key features for managing data
Fusion’s Data Panel includes tools to streamline project management:
- Sorting and filtering: Organize projects by name or last updated.
- Offline cache: Save designs locally to work without internet, syncing changes once reconnected.
- Version control: Track changes, restore older versions, and set milestones.
Web-based design tools
Fusion extends design management to the web, allowing users to:
- View and review: Access version-specific details and milestones.
- Annotate and share: Add comments, highlight components, and save annotated images for collaboration.
- Manage metadata: Edit, share, or download designs directly.
Best practices for success
- Set up a team hub early to simplify collaboration.
- Organize designs with subfolders for clarity.
- Enable folder-level permissions to secure sensitive data.
- Use offline caching to avoid disruptions during internet outages.
- Regularly review version histories to manage changes effectively.