I think that we should be cross compatible with all other Autodesk programs and support the industry standard AP214. That is what other Autodesk users are expecting. It is not time/cost affective to have to reapply after exporting. It also increases the “human error” factor if done wrong. Understandably, STEP translation mapping for appearance material between programs can be a challenge and the results different unless you can also export the relative appearance file (we do that in Adobe programs which also support creation of custom appearances/texture files). In my case there are three key reasons that I feel that exported files should incorporate applied materials (and appearances): 1) Autodesk Simulation Software – To run simulations for our project, applied materials and their values are needed within some of the Autodesk Simulation Software. We have access to the simulation software and need to be able to directly export from Fusion 360 in to these applications. Other companies are also running simulations with other programs (sound) and having pre-assigned materials will be important. 2) Cross Compatibility with all other Autodesk Programs - We are going to be exporting the assets developed in Fusion 360 directly to AutoCAD for production. That is the program that all of our international component suppliers are using. While we include written specifications and tables that include materials, surfaces and finishes they are expecting our files to have these already applied to faces/bodies. 3) We need a work flow that is practical, economical and reduces the element of “human error.” We are working across several languages and the need to reduce the possibility for confusion and miscommunication is important. 4) We are also exporting these files to marketing companies as the bases for their advertising and artwork.
