Specific limitations of Fusion free version

[Drewpan]

Hi,

As a Student Engineer I am often looking for ways to supplement my income. I have just landed a casual gig to write

a Blog article about the Free version of Fusion. All good, except I use the Educational version and so I don't have any

limitations and I don't know what the specific limitations are.

I have so far found this.

There is nowhere I can find out exactly what "Limited CAM functionality" actually means or some of these other

Limitations. I have searched the AutoDesk website and located the Terms of Use but they do not actually say what

the limitations are either. @jeff_strater can you point me in the right direction please?

I would also like some feedback from the forum of their general experience as a Personal user and how these

limitations affect you in general. I will not identify any individuals in the Blog article but I may use the feedback

or discussion to help me write an informative article. BTW it is not my Blog, I was invited to write an article for a

small financial incentive ($75 so I am not going to make a living off it but it will pay some of the rent this week 😎).

Thanks in Advance.

Cheers

Andrew

[jhackney1972]

This website compares them in a little finer detail.  Scroll down the list and you will see check marks beside each CAD feature and if it is included in each Fusion version.

[Drewpan]

Hi,

Thanks @jhackney1972 . That throws a lot more light on the issue. Do you know if there is a specific list anywhere or

was that it? I am a little surprised about some of the things on the list like Tool Changes and Rapid feed. An

explanation might be helpful as to why. There must be something else around.

Cheers

Andrew

[a.laasW8M6T]

The tool change and rapid feed limitation came about because there were a lot of shops using the free version commercially.(Against TOS)

By adding these limitations that makes it effectively useless to a Machine shop

Its a tolerable limitation for the hobby user with a CNC router or similar that often don't have a tool changer anyway.

[Drewpan]

Hi,

I suppose a couple of lines of Q codes wouldn't be a deal breaker but would be annoying.

Thanks. Useful to know.

Cheers

Andrew

[etfrench]

Just get the free version using another email account, then  you will be more accurate in  your blog.

[TimelesslyTiredYouth]

Hi @Drewpan 

Andrew, Andrew, Andrew

How I can help you hear my friend using both

The limitations between pay and free are

• Limited CAM Functionality:

  • Only supports 2.5-axis milling operations and turning, while the professional version supports advanced 3-axis, 4-axis, and 5-axis milling.
  • No access to multi-axis simultaneous machining or some specialized toolpaths like Adaptive Clearing for all axes.

• Cloud Credit Use:

  • Limited cloud rendering and simulation capabilities. Cloud credits might be capped or unavailable for certain advanced functions like generative design.

• File Export Formats:

  • Restricted export options (e.g., limited to certain file formats like STL and DXF for specific uses).

• Collaboration Tools:

  • Reduced access to advanced collaboration features or team-based workflows.

• Other Advanced Features:

  • No access to certain extensions or advanced modules (e.g., machining extensions, simulation extensions).
  • Limitations in creating and managing custom tool libraries.

[Drewpan]

Hi,

Thanks to those that have replied. Not quite finished my article and need a quick clarification on a couple of things.

It seems that Design is fully functional in terms of the 2D and 3D stuff according to what I can find in AutoDesk

documents. What I need to clarify is if this includes Generative Design? I don't think so but I can find nothing to

support or deny the Free version of fusion includes it. Also I am a little dubious about if all of the subsets of the

tools are available. Solid, Surface and Mesh are definitely available, Sheet Metal, Plastic and BOM I am not so sure

about.

@jeff_strater I must say that finding actual documentation about what specifically is and is not included in the

Free license has been very difficult. A few nice tables with tick boxes and a few short summaries but some docs

I have literally found by accident after multiple website and Google searches. Could I suggest that an actual page

with all of this information be created and connected as a link or further information to the Licensing and Download

pages?

Cheers

Andrew

[Drewpan]

Hi,

Add to the above Automated Modelling and Configurations? Are these available in the Free version?

Cheers

Andrew

[TimelesslyTiredYouth]

just a few extra things that came to mind recently from last reply: prismatic face making, only 10 documents editable at one time,  and problms often occur when going from mesh to solid body..

kind regards 

Ricky

[Drewpan]

Hi All,

Can anyone confirm or deny if Animation is available in the Free Fusion License? It is very ambiguous in the

documentation I have located so far. Rendering is in - but only local. Generative Design, Simulation and Extensions

are out.

Cheers

Andrew

[TimelesslyTiredYouth]

Hi @Drewpan 

The Animation workspace is not included in the free Personal Use License of Fusion 360. This license focuses on core design tools like modelling and local rendering, but features like animation, simulation, and generative design are only available with paid subscriptions. If you need animation capabilities, you'll need to upgrade to a commercial or educational license, as I believe you already have.

Kind regards

Ricky

[jhackney1972]

Here is a screen capture of the Animation Workspace in my Fusion Personal License version.  You may be talking about something else but to me the Animation Workspace is included.

[jeff_strater]

@TimelesslyTiredYouth - please check your facts before posting.  This kind of misinformation is very unhelpful.

[Phil.E]

Have you found the online documentation?
https://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/personal/compare

https://help.autodesk.com/view/fusion360/ENU/?caas=caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/What-functionality...

[Drewpan]

Hi,

I have been searching and trawling the documentation all week. The information is there it is just very difficult to

locate easily. I have found your first link but not the second.

The article I am writing is aimed at getting new people to try fusion, so I am trying to compare the two licenses. The

problem I run into is like this.

Single user data management only:

• 10 active and editable Fusion 360 documents, unlimited inactive documents.
• View only public share links.
• Commenting, markups

The last two are a little vague and the first one needs a little more explanation. I am trying to put it into words not

only what they mean but how this might affect using fusion. I pretty much write a paragraph on each point but I

don't want to mislead the reader about what it actually is or does. Deadline is today and I am almost finished.

Based on my experience I would strongly suggest that there needs to be a link on the actual Download and Licensing

pages explaining exactly what the limitations are in detail. There are some individual pages about specific things but

they are scattered. Thanks for your answer.

Cheers

Andrew

[Phil.E]

Thanks for writing an article.

Ten document limit: https://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/blog/the-10-document-limit-for-personal-use-explained-i...

View only public share links: like the name suggests, free users can only share viewing links to their designs. Other users cannot download them.

Commenting and markups: these are allowed on free user accounts.

Have you tried making a free user account to test out these features?

[TrippyLighting]

---

@Drewpan wrote:

Hi,

Add to the above Automated Modelling and Configurations? Are these available in the Free version?

Cheers

Andrew

---

Nope!