Create and save designs

Save new and existing designs, or save a component as a design.

Create and save a new design for the first time

1. In the Application bar, click File > New...

2. In the dialog, select a design type and specify relevant details:

   • Part: Creates a design where you model a single component to manufacture or use in an assembly.
     • Select a part Type:
       • Standard: Creates a standard container for design elements like sketches and bodies.
       • Sheet Metal: Creates a component that is subject to sheet metal rules and can be used to create flat patterns.
   • Assembly: Creates a design where you create or insert other designs as external components, then define relationships between them to create an assembly.
   • Hybrid Design: Creates a flexible design where you create and model internal components, insert other designs as external components, then define relationships between them.

3. Click Create New.

   The design is created and opens in Fusion.

4. Click Save to save the design.

   The Save dialog opens.

5. In the Save dialog, enter a Name for the design.

6. If you're working in a hub that has collaborative editing enabled, under Part Number, select a part number type.

   • Shared Part Number: Adds this design to a part number currently in use by one or more components. See Shared part numbers.
   • New Part Number: Generates a unique part number for your design.

7. Navigate to the Location where you want to save the design.

8. Optional: Click New Folder or New Project to create and select a new folder or project as the location.

9. Click Save.

The new design is saved as a Fusion design in the F3D file format.

Create a new default document type with a keyboard shortcut

• On Windows, press 'CTRL+N'.
• On Mac, press 'COMMAND+N'.

A new blank default document is created and opens.

Set your default design type in preferences

You can set your preferred default document type in Preferences so you can create it easily from scratch.

1. In the top-right corner, on the Application bar, click My Profile.
2. Select Preferences.
3. In the General section, locate Default document type.
4. Select a document type:
   • Part Design: A design where you model a single component to manufacture or use in an assembly.
   • Assembly Design: A design where you create or insert other designs as external components, then define relationships between them to create an assembly.
   • Hybrid Design: A flexible design where you create and model internal components, insert other designs as external components, then define relationships between them.
   • Electronics Design: A design where you create and manage schematics, 2D PCB, and 3D PCB documents.
   • Electronics Library: A library in your hub where you create and manage components for your electronics designs. Cancel
5. Click OK.

Your default document type is set according to your selection. Now, when you use File > New... to create a new document, your default document type is automatically selected. If you use 'CTRL+N', your default document type is created and opens automatically.

Save an existing design as a new design

1. In the Application bar, click File > Save As.

   The Save As dialog opens.

2. In the Save As dialog, enter a Name for the new design.

3. Navigate to the Location where you want to save the design.

4. Optional: Click New Folder or New Project to create and select a new folder or project as the location.

5. Optional: Click Include Drawings to include related drawings along with the design.

6. Click Save.

A separate copy of the design is saved in the new location. Any external references still point to the original designs. Any Assembly Contexts are broken.

Save a copy of an internal component as a new design

1. Open the design that contains the internal component.

2. In the Browser, right-click the component.

3. Select Save Copy As.

   The Save Component Copy As dialog displays.

4. Repeat steps 2-5 from the first task above.

The internal component, and any components nested within it as a subassembly, is saved as a separate Fusion design in the new location.