topic Re: Replacement for Slicer app? in Fusion Design, Validate & Document Forum

Replacement for Slicer app?

Anonymous — Wed, 14 Oct 2020 18:21:38 GMT

I know there have been other posts about the Autodesk pulling the Slicer add-in from the app store, and that they are no longer supporting it. My question is what is everyone using as a replacement? Even though it has its bugs, I've still been using it, because its the easiest thing I can find to do what I need. I do a lot of EVA foam props, and use it to slice my models into layers that I then cut out of the foam and stack together to make the final prop. I have yet to find an alternative that's easy enough to use and gives me what I need. Is there other software packages that can accomplish the same thing? Or is there some process I could do in the manufacturing work space that I'm not aware of?

Re: Replacement for Slicer app?

etfrench — Sat, 17 Oct 2020 01:41:07 GMT

Split Body using multi-segment parallel lines will give you the slices. The Manufacturing Arrange command should do the rest (not available on Personal).

Re: Replacement for Slicer app?

MattWynn — Mon, 07 Dec 2020 17:23:17 GMT

Arrange is the best!

Advanced nesting coming very soon.

Final version of slicer available here: https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/fusion-360/downloads/caas/downloads/content/slicer-for-fusion-360.html

Re: Replacement for Slicer app?

Anonymous — Mon, 07 Dec 2020 18:24:22 GMT

Hi Matt,

I've never used the manufacturing features in Fusion, but I'm not sure my workflow is exactly clear. Attached are some screen shots from the slicer stand alone version that still works. What I'm meaning to do is make a set of wearable claws out of EVA foam for a musical. The original "claw model.png" was created by editing a free file of a crab in Fusion to isolate just the claw, and brought into slicer, I then slice it on setting to replicate the sheets of 6mm thick EVA I use to generate the "sliced.png" model and the "patterns.png" to cut out the pieces to glue together. I've used this procedure several times with great success. If anything in the manufacturing environment can convert a model into sliced layers the way the slicer program can, I'd love to see a video tutorial on how to do it.

Re: Replacement for Slicer app?

Anonymous — Mon, 07 Dec 2020 18:25:36 GMT

Here's shots of another project I used this work flow on.

Re: Replacement for Slicer app?

MattWynn — Tue, 08 Dec 2020 00:20:46 GMT

@Anonymous that looks like really fun projects.

Unfortunately I don't know anything about using slicer.

@etfrench suggests to use the Split Body command to create the slices.

For information on the arrange feature, see http://help.autodesk.com/view/fusion360/ENU/?guid=NST-ARRANGE

Re: Replacement for Slicer app?

cmcampbellNDCUJ — Mon, 14 Dec 2020 05:32:55 GMT

I'm also looking for a replacement to Slicer for Fusion 360 and/or info on whether it is compatible with Mac OS 11 (Big Sur). I use it for a number of projects and don't see anything else out there that does what I want in a simple way. In particular I've been using the radial function to create 3d terrain maps.

Re: Replacement for Slicer app?

etfrench — Wed, 16 Dec 2020 06:51:13 GMT

Here's the workflow for splitting and arranging in the Design workspace. Note: Arrange is not available in the free version.

Re: Replacement for Slicer app?

Anonymous — Wed, 16 Dec 2020 18:11:33 GMT

Thank you for putting together the video. I've never used "arrange" before. Unfortunately the work flow to get to that point is the issue. Most of the models I'm using aren't solid bodies. Instead I'm utilizing .stl or .obj files from sites like thingiverse or turbosquid. Those models come in as surfaces, which unfortunately can't be printed on a drawing to make the patterns I need. I can convert them to a solid, but then there's an issue where fusions limitation on how detailed the surface can be for conversion, I run into issues. Most of the time even if I slice the model into the layers I need (ranging between 4mm and 12mm thick due to foam thickness) to simplify them before converting them, the resulting geometry if very prismatic because to the way the surfaces are created. Which makes the patterns on the drawing very sloppy and inaccurate. Where as the independent slicer for fusion program works directly from the .stl or .obj and results in perfectly created patterns from the geometry. That's why I haven't really found a suitable replacement for the "slicer for fusion" program. The other program that people use alot for this type of work flow is pepakura, which basically takes a 3d model and converts it to a flat pattern kind of like what the sheet metal function does for a sheet metal piece. Which is fine for something like cosplay foam armor and so forth but again doesn't really work for me most of the time. I'd almost need to use something like a 3D printer or laser cutter slicer to generate the layers, but then there's no way of printing those to paper. And buying either type of machine to either cut them with a laser or pint thin pieces for a template isn't close to being in my budget at this time. That's why I'd LOVE to see the fusion slicer get supported again.

Re: Replacement for Slicer app?

Anonymous — Wed, 16 Dec 2020 18:30:45 GMT

Wow that's a cool way of modeling the terrain! I think that's another cool thing about the slicer for fusion app, I've seen several people come up with applications and ways of using it that I'm pretty sure Autodesk never thought of or imagined it being used for. They kind of missed the boat and underestimated people's ingenuity on this one.

Re: Replacement for Slicer app?

etfrench — Wed, 16 Dec 2020 19:09:16 GMT

Have you looked at MeshMixer for doing the slicing? Here's a video by Josef Prusa showing how to do it.

Re: Replacement for Slicer app?

Anonymous — Mon, 21 Dec 2020 18:04:52 GMT

I've used Meshmixer for other types of projects, but again for this type of project it really doesn't do what I need. There's is no real control over the thickness of the slices (can't type in a specific offset distance). With the fusion slicer, I can set the exact thickness of the slices to match the exact thickness of the foam I'm using for the project. It can range anywhere from 2mm to 10mm, depending on the project and have more perfect resolution at those exact offset distances. Although I haven't tried it I suppose I cold try a multi-step process of slicing the files in Fusion, then take each slice into Meshmixer and see if I can make it a solid at a better resolution. But why should I do that when the fusion slicer does it all in one shot? The fusion slicer is the best thing I've found that gives me exactly what I need, in the most productive way.

Re: Replacement for Slicer app?

hfcandrew — Wed, 23 Dec 2020 17:33:14 GMT

Meshmixer can do this, just turn on Snap step and absolute. Also your model does not need to be solid/manifold. Set your CAM toolpath to CNC mill just the perimeter if needed.

Meshmixer has free autonesting too. Just set your printer bed to your stock size, nest, then export it all as one file.

Re: Replacement for Slicer app?

equintanaCXCYY — Fri, 19 Mar 2021 21:05:42 GMT

I've used slicer in my Fabrication Design courses to create plans for laser and CNC and this is gutting me that I can no longer use this plug in. Autodesk needs to create something that is exactly like slicer. In this bunny slicing it's not providing notches and verticals. It was an essential tool. Are there any comparable programs that everyone is using in its place for laser/CNC. I see plenty of resources for 3D printing but not the panel construction feature that slicer provides.

Re: Replacement for Slicer app?

Anonymous — Sun, 02 May 2021 15:43:07 GMT

I'm with you. Just realizing Slicer is dead after awhile not using it. It was invaluable and urgently needed for a project now. Can't believe there's not a great alternative to it seeing how useful it was.

Re: Replacement for Slicer app?

Anonymous — Sun, 22 Aug 2021 05:32:00 GMT

Yes, this is very very frustrating. If Autodesk doesn't want to support it then they should at least open source the code so others can maintain and improve it. This was a seriously useful and enabling software for many makers and fabricators. I can't believe they didn't build the functionality into Fusion.

Very disappointing from Autodesk.

Re: Replacement for Slicer app?

Sualp.Ozel — Mon, 23 Aug 2021 15:02:25 GMT

@etfrench

nice video, also take a look at this APP it may be exactly what you need

https://apps.autodesk.com/FUSION/en/Detail/Index?id=665011816067939988&appLang=en&os=Win64

Re: Replacement for Slicer app?

MattWynn — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 19:33:41 GMT

@Anonymous wrote "at least open source the code"

I did inquire about this. Unfortunately, Slicer uses both proprietary and third party components that are no longer supported and have not been available for years. If we were able to open source the IP we own, you still would not be able to build it.

Fusion includes a powerful API that a skilled (python or C++) developer can use to create almost any addin you can imagine. Check the other apps on the Fusion App store that Sualp mentioned. Perhaps someone will recognize the opportunity and create something that fills the gap left by slicer.

Re: Replacement for Slicer app?

hfcandrew — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 20:23:35 GMT

Again, already exists for MM

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/meshmixer/how-to-automate-1-quot-slicing-with-registration-plugs-dowels/m-p/8601588/highlight/true#M914

Re: Replacement for Slicer app?

jonathan.d.lawley — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 10:50:52 GMT

I found this link for the last version of Slicer for Fusion 360. Is this version no longer compatible?

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/fusion-360/troubleshooting/caas/downloads/content/slicer-for-fusion-360.html