Fusion 360 Setup

Install and configure the Conjure add-in for Autodesk Fusion 360.

Overview

The Conjure add-in for Fusion 360 brings AI-assisted CAD capabilities to Autodesk's popular cloud-based design platform. Create complex parametric models using natural language commands while leveraging Fusion 360's powerful modeling and simulation tools.

Beta Status: Fusion 360 support is currently in beta. Some advanced features may have limited support compared to FreeCAD.

Requirements

Fusion 360 Version

  • Minimum: Fusion 360 v2.0.15000 or later
  • Recommended: Latest version available
  • Edition: Any (Personal, Commercial, or Educational)

Download or update Fusion 360 from autodesk.com/fusion-360

System Requirements

  • Operating System: Windows 10/11 (64-bit) or macOS 10.15+
  • Python: 3.7+ (included with Fusion 360)
  • Disk Space: 50MB for add-in
  • Internet: Required (Fusion 360 is cloud-based)
Note: Linux is not officially supported by Fusion 360. Consider using FreeCAD on Linux systems.

Installation

  1. Download the add-in: fusion360-addin-latest.zip
  2. Extract the archive to a permanent location
    Important: Don't extract to a temporary location like Downloads. Fusion 360 references the folder directly.

    Recommended locations:

    • Windows: C:\Users\YourName\Documents\Fusion360Addins\Conjure\
    • macOS: ~/Documents/Fusion360Addins/Conjure/
  3. Open Fusion 360 and navigate to the Scripts and Add-ins panel:
    • Click Tools → Add-Ins → Scripts and Add-Ins
    • Or press Shift+S
  4. Add the Conjure add-in:
    • In the Scripts and Add-ins dialog, click the Add-Ins tab
    • Click the + (green plus) button next to "My Add-Ins"
    • Navigate to and select the extracted Conjure folder
    • The add-in should now appear in the "My Add-Ins" list
  5. Run the add-in:
    • Select "Conjure" from the add-ins list
    • Click Run
    • Optionally, check Run on Startup to automatically load Conjure when Fusion starts
  6. Verify installation: You should see a Conjure panel appear in the Fusion 360 interface

Add-in Interface

Once running, the Conjure add-in provides a dedicated panel in Fusion 360:

Conjure Panel

Connection Status Shows whether you're connected to the Conjure server
Settings Configure API key and preferences (gear icon)
Operation Log View recent operations and their results
Usage Statistics Track your monthly API operation usage
Tip: You can dock the Conjure panel anywhere in the Fusion 360 interface, or keep it as a floating window.

Configuration

Configure the add-in by clicking the Settings (gear) icon in the Conjure panel:

First-Time Setup

  1. Click the Settings icon in the Conjure panel
  2. Paste your Conjure API key in the "API Key" field
  3. Click Save and Connect
  4. Verify the connection status shows "Connected"

Fusion 360-Specific Settings

Default Component Behavior

Automatically create new components for major operations to keep your timeline organized.

  • Default: Disabled
  • Note: Enable for complex assemblies with many parts
Timeline Grouping

Group related operations in the Fusion 360 timeline for easier management.

  • Default: Enabled
  • Benefit: Keeps timeline clean with multi-step AI operations
Parametric Mode

Create parametric features that can be edited later vs. direct modeling.

  • Default: Parametric (Enabled)
  • Note: Parametric features appear in the timeline and can be modified

Supported Features

Solid Modeling

  • Primitives (Box, Cylinder, Sphere)
  • Extrude, Revolve, Sweep, Loft
  • Fillet, Chamfer
  • Shell, Draft

Boolean Operations

  • Join (Union)
  • Cut (Difference)
  • Intersect
  • Combine multiple bodies

Patterns and Mirrors

  • Rectangular Pattern
  • Circular Pattern
  • Mirror
  • Pattern on Path

Transformations

  • Move/Copy
  • Rotate
  • Scale
  • Align

Sketching

  • 2D sketches on any plane/face
  • Lines, arcs, circles, rectangles
  • Constraints and dimensions
  • Sketch-based features

Measurements

  • Distance, angle, area
  • Volume and mass
  • Bounding box
  • Center of mass
Beta Limitations: Some advanced features like surface modeling, sheet metal, and simulation are not yet supported.

Working with Fusion 360

Conjure integrates seamlessly with Fusion 360's parametric modeling workflow:

Typical Workflow

  1. Create or open a design: Start a new design or open an existing one
  2. Use AI commands: Describe the features you want to create through your AI assistant
  3. Review timeline: Operations appear in the Fusion timeline and can be edited
  4. Refine manually: Use Fusion's tools to add details or make adjustments
  5. Export: Save to cloud or export as STL, STEP, etc.

Example: Designing a Phone Stand

You: "Create a phone stand base: 80mm × 60mm × 5mm thick"
You: "Add a back support at 70 degrees, 100mm tall, 5mm thick"
You: "Fillet all sharp edges with 3mm radius"
You: "Add a slot in the base for cable management, 30mm × 10mm"

All operations appear in the timeline and can be edited using Fusion's standard tools.

Export and Collaboration

Cloud Storage

All designs created with Conjure are automatically saved to your Fusion 360 cloud storage:

  • Access from any device with Fusion 360
  • Automatic version history
  • Share with team members
  • Collaborate in real-time

Export Formats

Export your designs using Fusion's built-in export tools:

STL (3D Printing)

Right-click component → Save as STL

STEP / IGES (CAD Exchange)

File → Export → Choose format

F3D (Native Format)

Preserves full parametric history and timeline

Pro Tip: Use Fusion's rendering tools to create photorealistic images of your Conjure-designed parts.

Troubleshooting

Add-in won't load

  1. Verify the folder path is permanent (not in Downloads or Temp)
  2. Check that all files were extracted from the ZIP
  3. Look for error messages in the Scripts and Add-ins dialog
  4. Try removing and re-adding the add-in
  5. Restart Fusion 360 completely

Connection issues

  • Verify your API key is correct (check for extra spaces)
  • Ensure Fusion 360 has internet access
  • Check firewall settings (allow outbound HTTPS on port 443)
  • Try disconnecting and reconnecting

Operations not appearing in timeline

  • Ensure "Parametric Mode" is enabled in settings
  • Check that you're in Design workspace (not Drawing or CAM)
  • Verify you have an active component selected
  • Try creating a new component first

Panel disappeared

  • Go to Tools → Add-Ins → Scripts and Add-Ins
  • Select Conjure and click Run again
  • Or check "Run on Startup" to prevent this in the future

For more help, see the Fusion 360 FAQ or ask in Discord.

Next Steps

Create Your First Design Follow a hands-on tutorial Explore Commands Learn all available operations