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Direct AutoCAD to Fusion 360 3D Model Converter

In engineering and design, both AutoCAD and Fusion 360 are very popular tools. AutoCAD is mainly used for making accurate 2D drawings, while Fusion 360 is widely used for 3D modeling, simulation, and even manufacturing. The problem comes when someone wants to take a 2D design made in AutoCAD and turn it into a 3D model in Fusion 360. Right now, this is not simple at all.

Most people either redraw the entire model again in Fusion 360, which takes a lot of time, or they use file formats like DXF or STEP to import the design. But these imports often don’t work well. Common issues include shapes not getting recognized, scaling problems, missing dimensions, and broken sketches. This means users spend extra hours fixing errors or remaking the whole model. For students, engineers, and small companies, this can be very frustrating.

My idea is to build a tool that can directly convert AutoCAD 2D drawings into fully editable Fusion 360 3D models. The tool would not just copy the drawing but would understand the lines, circles, layers, and dimensions in AutoCAD. Then, it would create 3D sketches and bodies inside Fusion 360 automatically. For example, if a closed profile is drawn in AutoCAD, the tool could extrude it into a 3D solid in Fusion. This way, the design is ready to use in just minutes, instead of hours.

The people who will benefit most are engineering students, product designers, architects, and small-scale manufacturers. Students will save valuable time during projects, engineers can speed up their workflow, and manufacturers can move faster from 2D designs to production.

This problem matters to me because I have faced it myself. In my projects, I often had to rebuild the same design twice — once in AutoCAD for 2D and then again in Fusion for 3D. It made me lose interest and slowed down my progress. I realized that many others face the same issue. That is why a direct converter can make a big difference. It will not only save time but also encourage people to be more creative, since they don’t have to worry about repeating the same work again and again.

Votes: 19
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Comments

  • This sounds really useful, but I'm worried about complex drawings with lots of layers, hatching, or annotations. Will the tool ignore unnecessary details? Maybe you should add a filter to only convert certain layers.
  • I like this a lot, but one challenge is accuracy. If the tool makes even small errors in dimensioning, it could ruin the whole model. Maybe include a verification step where the user checks dimensions before the 3D model is finalized
  • Brilliant! It would save me hours in the lab. Many students avoid Fusion 360 because they think it's too time-consuming, but if your tool makes importing smooth, it will encourage more students to try 3D design
  • I really like how you connected this idea to your personal experience. That makes it relatable. The only concern is whether Fusion 360's API is open enough to allow such automation. If you solve that, it's a game-changer.
  • Super helpful for small companies like workshops or product designers who don't have time for repeated modeling. I like that you included different beneficiaries in your explanation. Just make sure the tool doesn't distort dimensions.
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  • The idea is good, but Autodesk might already have some hidden features to improve this. If your tool doesn't offer something really unique, people may not adopt it. Maybe think of adding a feature where the tool suggests possible 3D extrusions based on the drawing.
  • This idea is very practical. As a student, I’ve spent hours redrawing things from AutoCAD to Fusion, and it’s so frustrating. A direct converter would save so much time. Please make sure it handles scaling properly, since that’s always an issue when importing.
  • I would definitely use this tool. For projects, my professors usually ask for both 2D drawings and 3D models. Doing it twice wastes time. This will help students focus on innovation rather than repetition.But this should be designed with more accuracy and precision
  • The concept is really good, but I wonder how difficult it will be to actually implement. AutoCAD and Fusion 360 use very different structures. If you can figure out a reliable conversion engine, it will be amazing. Maybe start with basic profiles before complex assemblies.
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