Derived design features

The Derive and Insert Derive tools let you link design features from one design into another in Fusion. When you update the derived features in the original design, the changes are reflected in the destination design.

Deriving design features is an efficient way to manage common features in multiple designs. Design features that can be derived include:

Components
Bodies
Sketches
Construction geometry
Sheet metal flat patterns
Favorite parameters
Feature parameters

Derive tool

derive example

Design > Solid > Create > Derive

The Derive tool pushes and links design features from the active design into a new or existing design. When you update the derived features in the original design, the changes are reflected in the destination design.

You select a single component or a set of components, bodies, sketches, construction geometry, flat patterns, or parameters to derive from the active design.

Insert Derive tool

insert derive example

Design > Solid > Insert > Insert Derive

The Insert Derive tool pulls and links design features from another design into the active design. When you update the derived features in the original design, the changes are reflected in the destination design.

You select a design, then select a set of components, bodies, sketches, construction geometry, flat patterns, or parameters to derive into the current design.

Tip: Before you start the Insert Derive tool, activate the component that you want to contain the derived design features.

When to use derived design features

Collaboration: In top-down assemblies, derived design features let multiple project members work on different components, and the top level of the assembly updates automatically. Deriving components or bodies into an assembly lets the full collaborative design come together faster.
Common Parameters: You can derive all common parameters from a single F3D file. If a parameter changes, you change it in a single location, and it updated in all the designs where it is derived.
Reuse: If a part is used in multiple products, inserting a component that has already been designed limits the amount of duplication.
Sheet Metal: When you derive a sheet metal flat pattern, you can cut multiple flat patterns from a single sheet. Multiple flat patterns in a single stock creates cost savings while reducing wasted material.