Perform basic tasks

This topic describes the basic tools and features in Fusion. This is a good place to start if you're already familiar with other CAD systems.

Create a design

1. In the Application Bar, click File , then select New Design.

2. Click Save to save the design.

   The Save dialog opens.

3. In the Name box, type a name for your design.

4. Beside the Location box, click the down arrow and select the project and folder (optional) where you want to save your design.

5. Click Save.

Quickly access a function

1. Click anywhere on the canvas.

2. Press the S key.

3. In the Search box, type a function you are looking for; for example, sketch.

   As you type, a list of matching functions are shown in a drop-down list.

4. Place the pointer over a function in the drop-down list, then click Add to Shortcuts.

   This adds the function as a button in the shortcuts dialog.

   

5. Click the function you want in the drop-down list.

   The dialog for that function opens.

Display the Data Panel

Use the Data Panel on the left of the application to access your designs and manage projects.

1. Click Show Data Panel to open it.

   The active project name is displayed at the top of the Data Panel and thumbnails of all the designs and folders in the project are listed.

2. Click Hide Data Panel to hide the Data Panel. Alternatively, click Close .

Use the Browser

The Browser lists objects in your design (components, bodies, sketches, origins, joints, construction geometry, etc.) and lets you control visibility of objects.

1. To the left of the Origin folder, click Hidden to show the origin planes.
2. To the left of the Origin folder, click Visible to hide the origin planes.
3. To the left of the Bodies folder, click Expand to expand the folder and show a list of all bodies in the design.

Use the Timeline

The Timeline lists operations performed on your design.

• Click Play to replay the operations in the design.
• Click Next Step or Previous Step to play through the operations one at a time.
• Place your cursor over an operation to view a tooltip about the operation.
• Right-click an operation to make changes to it.

Change workspaces

Fusion capabilities are grouped into purpose-driven workspaces.

1. In the Toolbar, click the Workspace menu.

   

2. Select the workspace you want to switch to.

Learn more about the different workspaces in Fusion.

Use the Marking menu

The Marking menu is a radial menu that provides you with quick access to frequently used commands.

Right-click anywhere on the canvas. The Marking menu appears around your cursor.

To activate a command, drag the cursor in the direction of the command, then click anywhere in the highlighted wedge.

To dismiss the Marking menu, click within the middle of the menu, outside the menu, or press the Esc key.

See Marking menu reference.