Locally Store All Files

[neljoshua]

In light of today's events (see post here), I believe it would be beneficial to allow users to locally store all Fusion files and data.  The data can still be backed up to the server, but is locally stored first.  This would prevent server outages from becoming catastrophic events for businesses, schools, and individuals.  If users did not want to locally store files (due to disk space or other reasons), they could elect not to in Fusion's preferences.  Or perhaps this could be a setting for each folder or project.

Manually, individually backing up files (a current Fusion capability) is not a reasonable solution to this problem.  Not only is it time-consuming and difficult to manage well, it does not currently work for designs that have XREFs.

I personally have no problem using the cloud for storage and computing (such as simulations).  There are some great things that Fusion allows because of this capability.  The lack of local storage as a backup, however, is an issue for me.

[OFGLLC]

Although I think that AutoDesk could facilitate a chronological locally stored database for those that would like to be able to maintain their own data rather than send it into a black box, in general, most people will come nowhere near as close to protecting and preserving their data as well as AutoDesk can, nor duplicate the sharing ability.

The internet is not a limited resource concept.

[Anonymous]

and also don't forget how ridiculous it is to have an app where you have to login and connect to the internet every time you launch the app. For my uses, Freecad has been a much better solution. It's open source and has a great support community. While it takes a couple more steps than F360 I can accomplish the same thing just as well, and without all the corporate big brother BS.When Autodesk bought Eagle software and pulled the rug out by discontinuing the free version and raising prices, I was confident I had made the right choice by investing my time and energy in KiCad, which has turned out to be a far superior product with all the advantages of open source.  

[albertson.chris]

My guess is that the policy is designed to prevent people from using the
software without authorization. If there is a mandatory server
requirement then Autodesk can control if you can use the software or not.
This might seem silly when they make the software available to anyone who
has a company making less than $100K per year. But the license terms
can change at any time and being cloud-based gives Autodesk control.

The funny thing is that this might be 100% counterproductive. I use
Fusion 360 because it is more than good enough and I can't afford anything
better. If I was making well over $100K with CAD software then I could
afford something else and likely would pay for a non-server based system.

For non-commercial use the current system is OK. I would NEVER in a
million year put business-critical or trade secret data on storage I don't
control unless I knew it was reliably encrypted before transmission.

So it seems very odd the current policy makes Fusion 360 attractive
mostly to those that don't need to pay for a license and un attractive to
the larger users who have good reason to want tighter control of their data.

So to me, the reason for this policy is so that Autodesk can have control
over who uses the software, If this is in Autodesk's best long-term
interest or not I don't know.

[OFGLLC]

You can read all about their security policies in the AutoDesk Trust Center. I know I did before I ever started using it.

Also, you can locally save a project to local storage anytime you want right from the menu. It just is inferior to using a chronologically managed set of backups with periodic auto backups.

Finally, I don’t think they intend to hijack your data just because you stop paying. Otherwise, you could not make a local backup one project at a time. It’s the software you can not use without honoring the contract. If that is the way you want to go, export to a form that is compatible with your new software provider before you quit them. There is 5 different file types in the Export menu item

[albertson.chris]

No, I did not mean they would hijack your data or even keep it from you.
They might simply not allow you to use their software. That is within
their rights. What I was saying is they are using the cloud connection as
a kind of "license server".

The other thing I said as about data security. I have no secret data and
would give anyone a copy if they asked. I use Fusion for Open Source
projects. But let's say I was a larger company and my designes were
trade secrets. I would be negigent if I trusted non-encrypted data to a
third party.

My point was that they have an effective way to enforce licensing but the
side effect may be that their method keeps many customers away.

[mikeVXF4B]

I would like the ability to store my Fusion 360 files locally on my computer.  It's that simple; don't infer anything else... just would like the option to store files locally on my computer.  In contrast to the 'Export' function... actually being able to 'Save As' with my local computer as a possible destination, and to open files from my local computer as well.

[roambotics_scott]

Given the sheer number of people asking for this, it’s crazy that it’s not long since implemented.

That doesn’t mean going back on it being «cloud» software.

Pages is cloud software where I can store things locally or collaborate with someone remotely in real time *if I choose*

[whizbanger]

So unless I'm mistaken, after more than 3 years this is still a sore-spot for many users & wannabe users.  Me included. The original poster's comments were spot-on.

"Manually, individually backing up files (a current Fusion capability) is not a reasonable solution to this problem. Not only is it time-consuming and difficult to manage well, it does not currently work for designs that have XREFs. I personally have no problem using the cloud for storage and computing (such as simulations). There are some great things that Fusion allows because of this capability. The lack of local storage as a backup, however, is an issue for me."

Seems pretty obvious that if this hasn't been addressed by now it's intentional.

[Anonymous]

For me this is the only downsite of Fusion and it is the only thing holding me back from full dedication in Fusion. I believe than a GIT like system would be the best option and it will combine all the good things from both systems (online only and offline only) overlooking all the negative ones. For example with git you can have all your files in any device with internet connection backed up in the cloud but you also have them offline localy and you are able to work with them even if you don't have access to the servers for any reason (e.g. internet connection drops). Also with git you can assure you are working on the latest version of the file but you can also look back to previous versions. There are many more benefits but I believe you get the point. Since Autodesk already has the servers I don't see any problems intergrating a system like that will definatly improove the expirience and the productivity.

[Anonymous]

Please make this a feature. We have far too much time put into files to not have a local backup of our own. It's outrageous this isn't an option. Do I really have to go through file by file and manually back it up? This would take way too many hours.

[Anonymous]

This is one of the top voted suggestions and there isn't a single comment from the team at Autodesk? Come on...

***Facepalm***

[x3msnake]

Obviously they have no interest in implementing this.

The next best thing is a plugin made by the community that can be used to
backup your projects and folders to disk since you cannot even do that in
bulk

it basically works by automatically openning and saving each file and
folder structure like if you were doing it manually

https://github.com/tapnair/Project-Archiver

[DDP_]

I work in Fusion in test mode, and I am worried about the fate of my assets and privacy. Storage only in the cloud looks unreliable.

In Dropbox and OneDrive, you can work and store data both in the cloud and locally.

We are free people, we need a choice.

[OFGLLC]

I'm not sure what you mean by unreliable.  They have provided an offline mode, albeit limited, to allow work to continue due to any break in service all the way from a problem in their server farms to a network card in your computer.  They provide a plethora of resources to see how the system is performing and projected maintenance periods, etc.

The project is marked "Accepted".  How long it has been that way, I don't know, but they have accepted the project that garnered a lot of votes.  You can Google it to see exactly what "accepted" means in IdeaStation.

I totally agree about Dropbox and think we should be allowed to go that route if we choose.  My machines already sync with DropBox.  However, I have experienced a number of problems with DropBox, most associated with large files, or problems in DropBox on one client locking up all clients at 100% CPU.

If you are concerned about security and data loss, you can read all about their standards on their site.  Also, one would assume that if they lost the data for just a few large Design firms, I imagine they would be sued into oblivion due to their choice to make it difficult to make personal backups.  Even just having a button to push that would sync the projects on the cloud into a date stamped local folder would seem to reduce their liability enormously if employed with a waiver during the download process.  It would make me feel safer, but I think it is a significant project just to do that.  Within their own applications, they can have both ends of the encryption certificate, but once it starts writing to your disk. if your machine is infected with a Trojan, I imagine it could go straight out to somewhere else.  In that, however, it would not be any different from any consumer cloud service like DropBox.

[DDP_]

@OFGLLC 

Autodesk recommends keeping copies of the design. We do not have the ability to press a button and save the entire project, only each file separately.
This makes it difficult to create a one-time backup of the entire project.
In addition, under a contract on some projects, I do not have the right to store in a third-party storage (in the cloud).
 I can’t choose which project to work in the cloud online, and which only locally.

My local storage is my responsibility, these are ridiculous excuses. It is my choice and it is up to me to decide.

I read the policy, and data loss in the cloud is also my responsibility, so Autodesk recommends making backups.

I don't have a choice.
I am forced to design in Fusion only what is allowed by the confidentiality of my customer (permission to store in a third-party cloud). I can’t work locally.

I do not feel the reliability of this approach.
I may forget to back up the file manually before my partner can delete it.

I like new technologies and clouds, mobile applications and accessibility from anywhere in the world. But I do not like it when I am limited in freedom of approach.

[DDP_]

I liked Fusion, but for business I would like a little more freedom.

[OFGLLC]

That’s why I say the limited backup ability is a liability to them. However, the project is approved. I suggest you call them and ask how it’s going. You might conceivable be able to converse with the project leader. I was surprised to be able to do that once on another project that is now completed via email, however, since he was 10-11 hours time zone difference.

The one thing that you must realize is that you use it by choice. It’s a product for them, not a public responsibility. You could use something else until they get on track with your requirements. Of course, the learning curve is significant.

[Anonymous]

New user here and hate that saving my files local is not a default.  I want the ability to grab a specific file and send to one of mt crew if need be so they can look/work/edit as needed.

This makes me miss SW

[SeanMurphyADSK]

Fusion is far more capable of sharing information than SW. You can share any document with anybody in your crew to look at (online, offline, on the desktop client or in a web browse or mobile device) and even get a versioned file history of any changes they make.

Also, you can save any Fusion document locally: simply File > Export...