topic Re: Updating to new model (STEP file) without losing toolpaths in Fusion Support Forum

Updating to new model (STEP file) without losing toolpaths

sales — Fri, 20 Sep 2019 02:55:11 GMT

Hi all,

I have a customer who supplies STEP files for jobs (He does not use fusion) and he has a bad habit of updating the model with new features several times throughout the manufacturing process. I will be half way through machining a part and he will send me a new file. My problem is that I'm not sure the best way how to handle this in fusion. At first I tried right click, import new version in the saved job library where the projects are, it did update my model to the new version but i lost all my work, all my toolpaths and notes & sketches etc are gone.

Does anyone know how to update / reload a (STEP file) model that is given to you by a customer without losing everything? Previously we used EdgeCAM and it would handle it fine with the "reload model" function.

Regards, Locky.

Re: Updating to new model (STEP file) without losing toolpaths

daniel_lyall — Fri, 20 Sep 2019 04:47:59 GMT

Fusion use's anycad and team hubs for this, What it does is you open the file in fusion do whatever to it then if there is an update it gets pushed and you just update the model when you want to and depending on what was done to it just regening the toolpath works fine, I use it all the time between fusion and inventer, I have seen it used between sold works and inventer it worked fine.

http://help.autodesk.com/view/fusion360/ENU/?caas=caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/How-to-use-AnyCAD-functionality-in-Fusion-360.html

http://help.autodesk.com/view/FSNT/ENU/?guid=GUID-8C18EED5-0C11-4AD7-89C5-85A81EF8906C

Re: Updating to new model (STEP file) without losing toolpaths

sales — Tue, 24 Sep 2019 05:27:05 GMT

Thank you Daniel, I just finished setting up my Fusion Team account.

Re: Updating to new model (STEP file) without losing toolpaths

rw_skinner — Sat, 24 Apr 2021 13:15:59 GMT

I just did this following the directions and each time I update the model I loose all my setups and tool paths.

My model is an imported STP. I know I've done this before but each time the customer makes any modification at all, no matter how simple, I must copy and paste all the tool paths or apply the template, the select each feature again, then recreate all the ncprograms. It's killing me. Is there an easier way to import a new revised model?

Re: Updating to new model (STEP file) without losing toolpaths

HughesTooling — Sat, 24 Apr 2021 13:55:27 GMT

@rw_skinner You need to insert the STP file into another Fusion design, in effect making an assembly but with only your STP file inserted. If you need to modify the inserted design, make a copy of the body using Boundary Fill set to create a new component.

Now when you get an update the assembly will show out of date and you can just update the inserted design and not lose your CAM setups.

Mark

Re: Updating to new model (STEP file) without losing toolpaths

rw_skinner — Sat, 24 Apr 2021 23:36:28 GMT

I really appreciate the reply but there has to be a better way. Even
Alibre will import another model and keep all the geometry and tool
paths except for ones that changed.
You would think as popular as Fusion is someone would think of a better
way. I mean, even most of the docs telling you how to do it are wrong
and don't work.

I been making Fusion Teams and Enabling AnyCad to only have the same
exact results.
When I insert in to Design it adds another body to the design but leaves
the original body. I don't see a way to delete the original body.

Sorry, just frustrated. I very minor change requires hours of work on
tool paths and such.
Evidently I just don't understand the process.

Re: Updating to new model (STEP file) without losing toolpaths

nateg71 — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 01:13:21 GMT

I don't get it either. I can't figure out how to make this work. I like Fusion 360, but I have to say that some things just are just needlessly complicated. I have Teams but cannot get it to replace the file. I fear the reason is that unless you start with an empty Fusion design that only has your file you can't update one made without that method. I can't believe the answer is so elusive and that no good documentation exists for this scenario. I just need to replace a CAD model in my CAM setup in Fusion 360 where I do not have to recreate the entire CAM process from scratch. Shouldn't be that hard. If anyone can help i would appreciate it.