Set up the developer experience

Install the Fusion Automation API extension in Visual Studio Code and connect it to your running Fusion session.

You need:

• Fusion installed and signed in
• Visual Studio Code (desktop)

Step 1: Enable System Modeler in Fusion

1. In Fusion, click Utilities in the ribbon, then click Scripts and Add-Ins (or press Shift+S).

2. Find SystemModeler in the list, select it, and click Run.

3. Select Run on Startup so it loads each time.

Step 2: Install the extension in Visual Studio Code

1. In VSCode, press Ctrl+Shift+X (Windows) / Command+Shift+X (macOS) to open the Extensions panel.

2. Search for Fusion Automation API (publisher: Autodesk). You can also find it on the Visual Studio Marketplace.

3. Click Install.

   Note: The extension also supports remote script runs via Autodesk Platform Services (APS), which requires a Client ID and Client Secret. You don't need an APS account or those settings for System Modeler. System Modeler is enabled in the extension by default.

Step 3: Open a project

1. Download the System Modeler starter package (.zip).

2. Unzip the file and open the folder in Visual Studio Code.

3. Open README.md in the package root and read it before you start.

   The README explains how to turn the starter package into your own package and lists the node signatures of the public packages.

   Note: Use the starter package as the starting point for your own package. One of the first things to do is give it your own package ID in package.manifest. Follow the steps in the Creating your own package section of the README.

4. Click any .graph.json file in the project.

   System Modeler opens inside the IDE and connects to Fusion. Check the status bar at the bottom of the screen for a connection confirmation.

Step 4: Start working with graphs

Use the System Modeler canvas to create and run graphs:

• To create a new graph, see Create a new graph.
• To run a graph, see Run a graph.