Confused About Uploading vs. Saving Files

[guy.steph.ryan]

I just completed Lesson #3 ("Open/Close/Save") of the "Fusion Mastery Course", and I'm not sure I understand the difference between uploading and saving files. Intuitively I would think that saving a file stores it locally on my PC, and uploading it copies the file to the online "cloud" Data Panel server. Is that correct?

Also, it's my understanding that with the exception of "temp" files which allow work to be done off-line if necessary, all Fusion 360 data resides on "the cloud." Are the "cloud" versions of my project files updated only when I manually "upload" them, or does this occur automatically when I manually save them as long as I have an Internet connection?

Any help would be appreciated.

[HughesTooling]

To me uploading files would be importing a file using the data panel. When you save a file it will be stored in a project on the cloud, I was going to say uploaded but that might be where you've got confused!

Even offline you can work with projects and save the same as online, they will sync with the cloud the next time you're online. There is a local cache that stores recently edited designs, try going offline and take a look through the data panel, all recent designs will be available and older designs will be greyed out.

This in the Help might help.

Mark

[guy.steph.ryan]

Thanks for your help, Mark.

Reviewing the “Open/Close/Save” lesson (#3) of the Fusion 360 Mastery” course, I’m still confused about the terminology.

The instructor first explained how to open project files by double-clicking the desired file in the Data Panel. This downloads/imports the file so it can be edited on the canvas.

He then used “Upload” to export the file from his computer’s hard drive to the Data Panel (in the “cloud”). I’m trying to reconcile this against what I understood you to say that uploading imports a file using the Data Panel.

Saving a file saves it to a temp file on our computer and (as long as we have Internet access) also uploads it to the Data Panel, right? So I guess I still don’t understand the difference between uploading a file and saving it. 

[HughesTooling]

Upload only imports files to the datapane\cloud, so you would either have to have exported a design using export or have a design from someone else you want to import (could be a Fusion f3d or an import from another cad program).

Mark

[guy.steph.ryan]

Hi, Mark.

Thanks for your helpful reply.

I found a YouTube video. LarsLive #24, “File Save, Upload/Download...” (https://youtu.be/sXp7x0wdW_E) to be very helpful as well.

Thanks again. - Guy