Learn how to insert designs created in other CAD applications into a Fusion design and maintain associativity with the original design.

Insert AnyCAD files into an existing design

You can also insert the AnyCAD files into an existing design as external references.

Locate the desired AnyCAD file in the data panel, right-click and select Insert into Current Design. The AnyCAD file is then inserted into your current Fusion design, the corresponding nodes are added into the browser, just like external references.

If the original part file is updated, the Out-Of-Date icon in the browser indicates that the referenced model is out of date. If needed, right-click to get the latest version of the part. For assemblies, right-click on the root top assembly to get latest.

Capabilities of AnyCAD files

When Inserting an AnyCAD part or assembly, the AnyCAD files are treated as External References, the geometries can not be edited directly. The capabilities of AnyCAD files are similar to the external references in Fusion.

When Opening an AnyCAD part or assembly, its geometries and structures can be edited. Any changes or downstream workflow results can't be saved directly to the source file though. You need to save the opened file as a separate Fusion design to keep these changes. The table below shows what you can do to AnyCAD files in open workflow:

AnyCAD Part (Singular Component in Fusion)

Supported	NOT Supported
Get associative update after the source files were updated in their authoring CAD apps. Create generative component from the part.	Direct Modeling Environment is disabled.
The AnyCAD geometry can be edited and parametric features can be added.	All sketches and construction geometries from the authoring CAD app can't be imported yet.
Copy/Paste workflows.	The parameters of the features from the authoring app are no longer available.
Add additional geometries/sub-components into the parts.	The modifications and the downstream workflow results can't be saved back to the original source file directly.
Re-position the geometries in the part.
Create sketch reference based on imported geometries.
Create generative component from the part.

AnyCAD Assembly (Composite Component in Fusion)

Supported	NOT Supported
Get associative update after the source files were updated in their authoring CAD apps.	Direct Modeling Environment is disabled.
The AnyCAD geometry can be edited and parametric features can be added.	All sketches and construction geometries from the authoring CAD app can't be imported yet.
Copy/Paste workflows.	The parameters of the features from the authoring app are no longer available.
Add additional geometries/sub-components to the assembly.	The joints/constraints from authoring CAD app are longer effective.
Re-position the sub-assembly/child component.	The assembly containing assembly features* may got incorrect BOM/Parts List information and hierarchy.
Add constrains to the assembly/sub-assembly/child component.	The modifications and the downstream workflow results can't be saved back to the original source file directly.
Create sketch reference based on AnyCAD geometries.
Create drawing/simulation study/subtractive manufacturing solution (CAM) for the assembly.
Create generative components from the assembly.
Adjust the Parts List properties or BOM structures.

Break the associativity between designs

You can break the link and abandon the associativity with the referenced design or the original AnyCAD file:

1. Select the file in the browser, right-click and select Break Link.

Once you break the associativity, you cannot link the designs again. You need to re-insert the model to create the associativity again.