When you like to make things, whether from wood, textiles, metal, plastics, or paper, sooner or later you wonder if CAD (computer assisted design) could make the process faster, easier, or more controllable. Fusion 360 is a great place to begin exploring these questions. It's a free 3D and 2D modeling program that helps you design just about anything, exactly the way you want it. You can use it to create paper templates that can be cut out by hand (see my Digital Fabrication by Hand Instructa…
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When you like to make things, whether from wood, textiles, metal, plastics, or paper, sooner or later you wonder if CAD (computer assisted design) could make the process faster, easier, or more controllable. Fusion 360 is a great place to begin exploring these questions. It's a free 3D and 2D modeling program that helps you design just about anything, exactly the way you want it. You can use it to create paper templates that can be cut out by hand (see my Digital Fabrication by Hand Instructable) or design for digital fabrication machines like 3D printers, laser cutters, and CNC mills. Either way, it will take your skills to the next level.
To help you get your feet wet, I've gathered a range of projects that use Fusion 360, from simple custom brass rings to more complex wooden sunglasses, to one of my own more involved designs, a desk that transforms into a bar. Many of these projects include design files which will give you a jump start on completing your first Fusion project, and put you on the path to becoming a CAD pro.
