3D Printing Essentials Usage Instructions

  1. Run Autodesk® Fusion®
  2. Run this Add-In
  3. Create a component in the Design workspace or open a Fusion design that contains a component.

Table of Contents

Design Workspace

Manufacture Workspace

Design Workspace

Add Parts

3D Print Panel > Scripts > Add Parts
  1. Click the Add Parts command to open a file selection dialog.
  2. Select one or more CAD or mesh files to import:
    • CAD Files: STEP (.step, .stp), SAT (.sat), IGES (.iges, .igs)
    • Mesh Files: STL (.stl), OBJ (.obj), 3MF (.3mf)
  3. Files will be imported into the active design.
Note: Import behavior can be customized in the Settings dialog:
  • Parametric Import: When enabled, imports are recorded in the design timeline.
  • Auto-repair Meshes: Automatically repairs broken mesh files using progressive repair methods.
Result: A new component will be created for each imported file. Components are renamed to match their file names. For 3MF files, the part names and assembly structure are preserved. Repaired mesh bodies will have a suffix added to their name (configurable in Settings).

Duplicate Components

3D Print Panel > Tools > Duplicate Components
  1. Select one or more components.
  2. Specify the arrangement type: Same Location or Arrange in XYZ.
  3. If you selected Same Location, enter the Number of copies.
  4. If you selected Arrange in XYZ, enter the quantity in X, Y, or Z and the Gap between components.
  5. Use the Flip checkbox to reverse the direction of duplication along an axis (e.g., duplicate in -X instead of +X).
  6. Use the Symmetric checkbox to distribute copies on both sides of the original component:
    • For odd quantities (e.g., 5): Equal copies on each side (2 in +X, 2 in -X).
    • For even quantities (e.g., 6): One more copy in the positive direction (3 in +X, 2 in -X).
    • Combine with Flip to place the extra copy in the negative direction instead.
  7. Press OK.
Result: New component instances will be created based on your specifications.

Minimize Bounding Box

3D Print Panel > Tools > Minimize Bounding Box
  1. Select one or more components.
    • If the design only has a single component, Fusion will auto-select it.
    • This command works with both solid bodies and mesh bodies.
  2. Select the target axis for alignment:
    • Z Axis: (Default) Aligns the shortest dimension to Z - ideal for SLS/MJF layer-based printing
    • Y Axis: Aligns the shortest dimension to Y
    • X Axis: Aligns the shortest dimension to X
  3. Press OK.
Result: The selected component(s) will be rotated such that the bounding box occupies the least amount of volume, with the shortest side aligned to your chosen axis. This function is a common pre-processing step for nesting parts within the build volume of an SLS/MJF 3D printer.
Note: For solid bodies, the command uses Fusion's built-in Oriented Minimum Bounding Box algorithm. For mesh bodies, it uses a Rotation Sampling algorithm that tests thousands of orientations to find the true minimum volume bounding box, producing equivalent results.

Sinterbox

3D Print Panel > Tools > Sinterbox
  1. Select one or more solid or mesh bodies as Input Bodies.
  2. Customize the sinterbox parameters:
    • Cage thickness: Wall thickness of the sinterbox cage
    • Bar width: Width of the cage bars
    • Bar spacing: Distance between bars
    • XYZ Offsets: Positive and negative offsets from the bounding box
  3. Optionally add a label to the sinterbox:
    • Enable "Add Label" checkbox
    • Enter label text, choose font, height, depth, and padding
  4. Press OK.
Result: A new component named "Sinterbox" will be created. If "Move Bodies to New Component" is enabled, the selected bodies will be transferred to the new component and empty components will be removed. This ensures the component can be 3D nested as a group.

Label

3D Print Panel > Tools > Label
  1. Select a CSV file containing a list of label text (one label per row).
  2. Select a body to label:
    • Solid bodies: Select a planar face on the body
    • Mesh bodies: Select the mesh body and a construction plane
  3. Configure text options:
    • Font, height, and extrusion depth
    • Text position offset (X and Y)
    • Text flipping options
  4. Configure arrangement options:
    • Arrangement direction (X, Y, or Z)
    • Spacing between components
  5. Press OK.
Result: New components will be created for each label in the CSV file. Each component contains a copy of the selected body with the corresponding label text extruded onto it. Components are renamed to include the label text.

Pins and Holes

3D Print Panel > Tools > Pins and Holes
  1. Select a solid body as input to the Body to Split.
    • This command works with solid bodies only (not mesh bodies).
  2. Select a Construction plane or any of the default planes (XY, XZ, YZ) as the Splitting plane.
  3. Select your distribution type (Rectangular or Triangular).
  4. Enter the numerical inputs: Hole Spacing, Pin height, and Pin diameter (must be positive values).
  5. If necessary, activate the Flip Direction checkbox to control which body gets holes vs pins.
  6. Press OK.
Result: The input body will be split into 2 bodies with interlocking pins and holes. The body with holes will have 90% opacity by default. Body suffixes and opacity can be customized in the Settings dialog.
Note: This command requires parametric modeling mode.

Minimum Part Gap Analysis

3D Print Panel > Analysis > Minimum Part Gap Analysis
  1. Run the command to analyze the minimum distance between all bodies in the scene.
Result: Displays the minimum distance between all bodies, helping identify parts that may be too close together for successful 3D printing.

Minimum Wall Thickness

3D Print Panel > Analysis > Minimum Wall Thickness
  1. Select bodies to analyze.
  2. Set the minimum wall thickness requirement (in mm).
  3. Choose tessellation quality for solid bodies.
  4. Optionally show passing regions and create selection sets.
  5. Press OK.
Result: Analyzes selected bodies to identify regions that do not meet the minimum wall thickness requirement. Thin areas are highlighted for review.

Upskin / Downskin Analysis

3D Print Panel > Analysis > Upskin / Downskin Analysis
  1. Select a body to analyze.
  2. Configure analysis settings:
    • Mode: Upskin only, Downskin only, or both
    • Upskin Angle: Threshold angle for upskin detection
    • Downskin Angle: Threshold angle for downskin detection
    • Build Direction: X, Y, or Z axis
  3. Press OK.
Result: Highlights upskin regions (green) and downskin regions (red) on the selected body. These areas often require different print parameters or support structures.

Trapped Volume Analysis

3D Print Panel > Analysis > Trapped Volume Analysis
  1. Select a solid or mesh body to analyze.
  2. The tool automatically analyzes the body and displays results in real-time.
  3. Press OK or Cancel to exit (no permanent changes are made).
How Detection Works:
  • Solid Bodies: Uses Fusion's native shell topology. Internal void shells are identified as trapped volumes. Reports count and volume (cm³).
  • Mesh Bodies: Uses a negative volume detection algorithm (similar to Netfabb):
    1. Stage 1 - Shell Separation: Temporarily separates the mesh into individual shells
    2. Stage 2 - Negative Volume Check: Checks if any shell has a negative volume, indicating an internal/void shell with inward-facing normals
    This approach correctly identifies trapped volumes while ignoring through-holes and external features.
Result: Reports whether trapped volumes exist (YES/NO). For solid bodies, also displays trapped volume count and total volume. The selected body is shown at 20% opacity during analysis for visual clarity.

FFF Setup Automation

3D Print Panel > Scripts > FFF Setup Automation
  1. Ensure you have components in your design.
  2. Run the automation script.
Result: Creates an FFF setup in the Manufacture workspace:
  • Creates a new Manufacturing Model named "MM - FFF"
  • Creates an additive setup with a Prusa i3 MK3S+ machine and PLA print setting
  • Orients each component and arranges them on the build plate
  • Creates supports if necessary using an FFF support template
  • Simulates the additive toolpath and displays the result

SLA/DLP Setup Automation

3D Print Panel > Scripts > SLA/DLP Setup Automation
  1. Ensure you have components in your design.
  2. Run the automation script.
Result: Creates an SLA/DLP setup in the Manufacture workspace:
  • Creates a new Manufacturing Model named "MM - SLA/DLP"
  • Creates a setup with an ELEGOO Saturn 4 Ultra machine and Generic - 50 micron print setting
  • Orients each component and arranges them on the build plate
  • Creates supports if needed using an SLA support template

MJF/SLS Setup Automation

3D Print Panel > Scripts > MJF/SLS Setup Automation
  1. Ensure you have components in your design.
  2. Run the automation script.
Result: Creates an MJF setup in the Manufacture workspace:
  • Creates a new Manufacturing Model named "MM - MJF"
  • Creates an additive setup with an HP Jet Fusion 5000 machine and HP - MJF print setting
  • Arranges components within the build volume of the machine

Settings

3D Print Panel > Settings (available in Design, Manufacturing Model, and Manufacture workspaces)

The Settings dialog allows you to customize various options for the 3D Printing Essentials add-in:

Add Parts Tab

  • Parametric Import: Enable/disable timeline history during imports
  • Auto-repair Meshes: Automatically repair broken mesh files
  • Repaired Mesh Suffix: Suffix added to repaired mesh names

Pins and Holes Tab

  • Pins Suffix: Suffix added to the body with pins
  • Holes Suffix: Suffix added to the body with holes
  • Holes Opacity: Opacity of the body with holes (0-1)

Check for Updates

3D Print Panel > Check for Updates (available in Design, Manufacturing Model, and Manufacture workspaces)
  1. Click the Check for Updates command.
  2. The add-in will check the Autodesk App Store for newer versions.
Result: If a newer version is available, you will be notified with information about the update and instructions to download it from the Autodesk App Store. If you have the latest version, a confirmation message will be displayed.
Note: The add-in also automatically checks for updates periodically when Fusion starts.
Manufacture Workspace

Tessellate

Additive Tab > Prepare Panel > Tessellate
  1. Select components to tessellate.
  2. Configure tessellation settings:
    • Refinement: Choose preset or custom settings
    • Surface Deviation: Maximum distance from original surface (0.001 - 100)
    • Normal Deviation: Maximum angle between face normals (1 - 41)
    • Max Edge Length: Maximum face edge length (0.001 - 10000)
    • Aspect Ratio: Height to width ratio of mesh faces (1 - 21.5)
  3. Press OK.
Result: Selected solid bodies are converted to mesh bodies with the specified tessellation quality.

Scale

Additive Tab > Prepare Panel > Scale
  1. Select solid or mesh bodies to scale.
  2. Select a point as the center of the scale operation.
  3. Choose scale type:
    • Uniform: Scale equally in all directions
    • Non-Uniform: Scale independently in X, Y, and Z
  4. Enter scale factor(s) (0.001 - 1000).
  5. Press OK.
Result: Selected bodies are scaled by the specified factor(s).
Note: This command only works on bodies within a Manufacturing Model.

Mirror

Additive Tab > Prepare Panel > Mirror
  1. Select components to mirror.
  2. Select a mirror plane or planar face.
  3. Choose whether to add new copies to the active setup.
  4. Press OK.
Result: Mirrored copies of the selected components are created.
Note: This command only works on components within a Manufacturing Model.

Sinterbox

Additive Tab > Prepare Panel > Sinterbox

Same functionality as the Design workspace Sinterbox command, optimized for use within a Manufacturing Model.

Label

Additive Tab > Prepare Panel > Label

Same functionality as the Design workspace Label command, with an additional option to add new labeled components to the active setup.

Component List

Additive Tab > Prepare Panel > Component List
  1. Ensure you have an active setup with components.
  2. Run the command.
  3. Optionally export the list as an HTML file.
Result: Generates a list of all components within the machine's build volume of the active setup. The list can be exported as an HTML file for documentation.

Minimum Part Gap Analysis

Additive Tab > Prepare Panel > Analysis > Minimum Part Gap Analysis

Displays the minimum distance between bodies in the active setup or manufacturing model. Uses setup bodies if a setup is active, otherwise uses the manufacturing model or design bodies.

Minimum Wall Thickness

Additive Tab > Prepare Panel > Analysis > Minimum Wall Thickness

Same functionality as the Design workspace Minimum Wall Thickness command, available for use within a Manufacturing Model context.

Upskin / Downskin Analysis

Additive Tab > Prepare Panel > Analysis > Upskin / Downskin Analysis

Same functionality as the Design workspace Upskin / Downskin Analysis command, available for use within a Manufacturing Model context.

Trapped Volume Analysis

Additive Tab > Prepare Panel > Analysis > Trapped Volume Analysis

Same functionality as the Design workspace Trapped Volume Analysis command, available for use within a Manufacturing Model context. Supports both solid and mesh bodies with the two-stage detection algorithm for reliable mesh analysis.

Move By Keyboard

Additive Tab > Prepare Panel > Move By Keyboard
  1. Select components to move.
  2. Set the translation increment (default: 5 mm) and rotation increment (default: 90°).
  3. Use keyboard controls:
    • Translation: Press X, Y, or Z to move in positive direction; hold ALT + key for negative direction
    • Rotation: Hold R + press X, Y, or Z to rotate; hold ALT + R + key for opposite rotation
  4. Press OK to commit changes.
Result: Selected components are moved/rotated by the specified increments. Final positions are committed via Manufacturing Model snapshots.

Post Configurator

Additive Tab > Actions Panel > Post Configurator
  1. Open the Post Configurator.
  2. Configure post processor settings for your FFF machine.
  3. Save the custom post processor.
Result: Creates or modifies custom post processors for use with FFF (Fused Filament Fabrication) machines.

Display Component Colors

All Tabs > Inspect Panel > Display Component Colors
  1. Click the button to toggle component color display on/off.
Result: Toggles the display of component colors in the canvas. When enabled, each component is displayed with a distinct color for easier identification.
Keyboard Shortcut: Shift + N

Display Mesh Face Groups

All Tabs > Inspect Panel > Display Mesh Face Groups
  1. Click the button to toggle mesh face group display on/off.
Result: Toggles the display of mesh face groups in the canvas. When enabled, different face groups within mesh bodies are displayed with distinct colors.
Keyboard Shortcut: Shift + F

Netfabb for Fusion

Additive Tab > Actions Panel > Netfabb for Fusion
  1. Ensure you have an active setup with bodies.
  2. Click the Netfabb for Fusion button.
Result: Transfers all bodies within your active Setup to the latest installed version of Autodesk Netfabb for advanced mesh repair and analysis.
Note: This command is only available on Windows and requires Autodesk Netfabb to be installed.