How to manage product versions in Fusion 360

[tonySWCR2]

Hello All, 

I'm still battling Fusion on a lot of issues but I was hoping for some advice on how to tackle the most recent one.

I am using Fusion 360 professionally for a start up business and I am now at a stage where we are releasing Version 1.1. I want to save the CAD as a copy at this point, that's everything, parts, assemblies, drawings and then keep working on it as Version 1.2. I don't just want it to be a milestone as there may be changes/updates that happen in the future only for V1.1, so I would like it to be its own stand alone copy. I understand there used to be a branching feature in Fusion but it got nerfed, that may have helped.

I think the biggest issue is the drawings as there is no function to copy them with a top level assembly. If I use the online browser to export a drawing of the assembly it will take the drawing, assembly and all component parts with it (i have been told) but not the drawings for individual parts. Is there any way to do this?

Or should I change tactic and approach the problem differently?

How would you deal with this?

Cheers,

Tony  

[jhackney1972]

Fusion 360 is not currently built to use versions for what you need.  The process you desire in best handled using Autodesk Vault but this application can only be used with Autodesk higher end products such as Inventor or AutoCAD.  I believe the only way to come close to handling your needs is to implement a file naming system beginning each unique file with a REV# - (File Name).  When the drawing is done, the name is automatically pickup up if you desire.  The REV# will only change if the model is being revised thus making a new file.  You can use the Derive/Break Link method to create new design from older file while maintaining the original file and drawing.  Of course, you will need to create a total new folder when you switch to a new design project and start the system again.  The ability to automatically open the model file from the 2D drawing file will enhance your ability to keep models and drawing together in revisions.

It is far from ideal but Fusion 360 does not have any system in place to handle it otherwise.  A company set of file naming and procedural rules will have to be established and policed by a CAD manager to make sure file do not get corrupt between revisions and you will have a past revision to go back to if needed.

This is just one user's opinion, I hope you get others.

[tonySWCR2]

Thank you for your suggestion. 

I am slightly confused as to how the REV# file naming will help with what I want to achieve. It may very well be I have not explained the problem very well. 

I have a large multiple level assembly called "Robot V1.1", the majority of components in the assembly have drawings that are associated with them. I am now at a point where the design is complete, released and built. I want to save off a complete copy of the "Robot V1.1" assembly and all the components and drawings inside it. Then I will rename it "Robot V1.2" and continue developing the next iteration. 

I want to keep the "Robot V1.1" assembly an accessible copy that I can add parts to and change even after release but that doesn't affect the newer "Robot V1.2" assembly. If a V1.1 has a fault that requires a design change I can then implement this as a retro fit part. 

Can I use derive on the "Robot V1.1" assembly to generate the "Robot V1.2" assembly and then break the link? Is that what you are suggesting?

[jhackney1972]

Yes, I was suggesting using the Derive or Insert Drive to create second version components from the first version files which works like a dream.  Since I wrote back to you with my idea, I have been experimenting with how to take a first version component drawing file into a second version one while maintaining existing views and annotation.  This is where I have hit a wall since Fusion 360 does not have a way of changing the reference component using in a drawing.  This has totally short circuited my idea because you definitely do not want to have to re-create drawings for the second version components.  I have tried all sorts of workflows but I cannot get Fusion 360 to re-reference a drawing so I will have to say "Sorry" my idea has totally bit the dust.  The model version are a piece of cake but the drawings are a pain.

I apologize for getting your hopes up.  I am going to keep thinking on it but I doubt I can get over this hurdle.