Request for Proper Bottom-Side Flip View in 2D PCB Editor

[dutchman7222]

Dear Autodesk Fusion Support Team,

I am writing to raise a usability concern regarding the 2D PCB editor in Fusion Electronics.

Currently, when switching to the bottom side of a PCB in the 2D layout, the view behaves as a transparent “through-board” view rather than a true physical flip of the board. This results in mirrored text and component orientation compared to how the PCB appears when physically turned over in real life.

For users performing manual assembly, inspection, or soldering work, this behavior is highly impractical. What is needed is a true “Flip Board” camera function in the 2D editor that reflects the board as if it were physically rotated — without mirrored silkscreen and component markings — while still allowing full editing functionality.

From a usability perspective, this seems like a straightforward camera transformation rather than a structural feature change. Earlier EAGLE-based workflows included a clearer flip functionality, but in the current Fusion Electronics UI, this capability appears to be missing or inaccessible.

Could you please clarify:

1. Whether a true physical board flip view exists in the current 2D PCB editor?

2. If not, whether there are plans to implement such a feature?

3. If there is a recommended workflow for assembly-oriented bottom-side editing in 2D?

For PCB designers who also assemble or prototype their boards, this functionality is essential and would significantly improve workflow efficiency and reduce orientation errors.

Thank you for your time and clarification.

Kind regards,
Pieter Straasheijm

[jorge_garcia]

Hi @dutchman7222 ,

I hope this message finds you well. The 2D PCB will always have a "transparent behavior" however if you turn off the offending top layers you'll see that the bottom view is accurate to what the real PCB looks like flipped over. I just tried with one of my own designs here and the behavior is correct. If you don't wish to see the reversed text then like a set you can have a layer set that excludes the top text layers when flipped and you'll be able to confirm the view is correct.

Try it and let me know if you observe something different, I think the mirror topped text is what created the confusion. As an additional check  you can compare the 2D PCB to the 3D PCB with the viewport set to the bottom to confirm correctness.

Let me know if there's anything else I can do for you.

Best Regards,

[dutchman7222]

Hello Jorge,

Thank you for your explanation.

If I understood correctly, your suggestion is to disable the top layers
(including top text layers) in the Display Layers panel so that only bottom
layers remain visible. I have tested this approach.

While this removes the mirrored top-side text, it does not physically flip
the board view. The bottom side is still displayed in the manufacturing
“through-board” orientation rather than as a true physical flip. In other
words, the coordinate system is not inverted to reflect how the PCB appears
when physically turned over on the workbench.

>From a geometric standpoint, I understand that the bottom data itself is
correct. However, from an assembly and soldering perspective, this behavior
remains unintuitive because the view does not match the real-world
orientation of the flipped PCB.

What I am looking for is a true camera-based board flip in the 2D editor —
similar to rotating the PCB 180° in 3D — but while remaining fully editable
in 2D layout mode.

Could you please confirm whether such a function currently exists in the 2D
PCB editor, or whether this is a known limitation?

Thank you again for your assistance.

Best regards,
Pieter Straasheijm

[jorge_garcia]

Hi @dutchman7222 ,

I think I'm not following what you are asking for. If I flip a PCB in the 2D PCB and then look that the physical PCB in my hands they match so I'm struggling to see where the difference is. Is there something specific you would like to see in the viewer? If you have any images to show what you are looking for that would help also.

I want to make sure I fully understand what you are looking for so I can make a clear and concise ticket for the developers.

Let me know if there's anything else I can do for you.

Best Regards,

[dutchman7222]

Dear Jorge,

Thank you for your reply.

I believe the confusion comes from a difference between geometric
correctness and camera orientation.

Let me clarify precisely what I mean.

When I switch to the bottom side in the 2D PCB editor, Fusion shows the
board in a “through-board” or transparent manufacturing view. Geometrically,
this is correct. However, the camera is not physically flipped as if the PCB
were turned over on the workbench.

What I am requesting is not a change in layer data, but a change in viewing
transformation.

To explain the difference clearly:

• Current behavior:
The viewer looks at the bottom side through the PCB. The coordinate system
remains the same. Text orientation and overall visual context do not match
the physical experience of holding the PCB flipped in hand.

• Desired behavior:
A true 180° camera flip of the 2D canvas, so the board appears exactly as it
does when physically turned over. The editing environment remains 2D, but
the viewing transformation reflects a real-world flip.

This is similar to what happens in the 3D PCB environment when the board is
rotated physically — but available directly in the 2D editor.

To make this clearer, I am attaching two images:

1. Screenshot of Fusion 2D bottom view
2. Photo of the real PCB flipped in hand

You will see that the real PCB and the 2D bottom view do not visually match
in orientation, even though the data itself is correct.

This is primarily an assembly and manual soldering usability issue.
Designers who also assemble prototypes rely on the 2D editor for placement
verification and hand assembly reference. A true “Flip Board” camera option
in 2D would eliminate orientation confusion and reduce assembly errors.

I hope this clarifies the distinction I am trying to make. Please let me
know if any additional information would help create a clear ticket for the
development team.

Best regards,
Pieter Straasheijm

Screenshot PCB





Photo Real PCB

So you see it’s mirrored

[jorge_garcia]

Hi @dutchman7222 ,

The pictures didn't come through, and I think I really need them. For me if a use the Flip Board command in the Fusion 2D PCB, the resulting transparent view shows the 2D PCB correctly. I'm attaching pictures of my view and the physical PCB. In my case they are not mirrored. So I'm worried something else is wrong here.

[dutchman7222]

Yes, from your explanation it wan't clear to me that there is a "Flip board"
command. Just simply press 'f'

This would be the simple explanation. I googled it. So it's fine now.