Is there a way to run scripts/plugins in F360 headless?

[marcosscriven]

I'd like to be able to run a script against F360 in a headless manner (so I can script it on a server without a monitor) - is that possible?

Is there some alternative software (Solidworks?) that can do this with F360 models?

[PinRudolf · Accepted solution]

I don't think this is available for Fusion 360 (yet).

There is no other CAD software which can control Fusion 360 models! There are however tons of programs which can run the geometry model that Fusion 360 uses, maybe that is enough for your case? Two options that come to mind are AutoCAD and Inventor which can both run headless.

In the future Autodesk might add Fusion 360 support to Forge Design Automation. Fusion's 'Big Brother' is already there: Autodesk Inventor. I feel like this might be more likely than Autodesk creating a headless version of the tool.

If you are not too deeply invested in Fusion 360 and you really need this functionality than Inventor is a good choice. It is very similar to Fusion 360, including it's API.

As for your reference to SolidWorks, Inventor is it's closest competitor but it is created by Autodesk just like Fusion. This generally allows for better compatibility.

[marcosscriven]

Thank you for taking the time to answer, and sorry for the really slow response.

Those options do indeed sound like what I need - so long as they can 'run' Fusion 360 geometry as a server process, it doesn't have to be Fusion 360 software.

[marcosscriven]

<deleting - duplicate>

[martin_walter]

I'd really find it interesting to drive Fusion headless to post CAM setups for different machines and create setup sheets!
I would love to do that with Inventor (and we do), but since Autodesk neutered Inventor CAM to push Fusion, there are limits to what you can do with Inventor.

[daniel.bartlettAXQLT]

Hi,

Autodesk has just released the open beta for Design Automation for Fusion. It allows you to run scripts for Fusion on the cloud, making it really easy to automate your design and manufacturing processes. It uses a TypeScript version of the same Fusion desktop API that you’re familiar with.

For more information, here is the link to the blog post that announced the release: https://aps.autodesk.com/blog/design-automation-fusion-open-beta

And here is a link to the Design Automation API page: https://aps.autodesk.com/developer/overview/design-automation-api  

I’m part of the team developing Design Automation for Fusion, so if you’re interested in learning more, feel free to reach out.