Insert menu missing. Can't insert/derive; can't use Traceparts.

[jwilkins8475]

I have a design I'm working on. The 'Insert' menu button is missing from the schematic editor, the 2D pcb editor, and the 3D environment. Because of this, I can't use the Traceparts extension, or even save a part from somewhere and insert it into my design.

It's not a matter of resetting the toolbar layout, as those options are grayed out when I right-click on the toolbar.

What happened to the Insert function? It's present if I'm just working a 3D model of something, and need a screw from McMaster or a connector from Traceparts. Why can I not insert electronic components into my electronic designs? If it's just not there, why isn't it? If there's some 'trick' in using it, there shouldn't be.

If I could find the connector I need in a library, it probably wouldn't matter. But when the library selection is limited to incomplete and/or obsolete parts, or parts without 3D models, inserting from an outside source is necessary.

[chris.eganY2EK3]

Insert parts has now moved to the left toolbar. You should now see two tabs on the left toolbar, "design manager" and "place components". Change to the place components tab. I don't use the traceparts extension you mention so I can't help with that unfortunately. 

I think the new way is significantly worse personally. It seems to take more time than the older insert menu. 

[jwilkins8475]

I don't disagree, but I'm not just trying to place a component. I have that part under control.

I'm asking about the Insert button in the top toolbar, where you can insert other designs into your current design (derive) or call up parts from, e.g., McMaster or, in this case, Traceparts.

I ask because, in all the available libraries for Fusion Electronics, there are only a handful of BNC connectors, many of which don't even have 3D models. I have a particular part from Digikey that I want to use in my design, but Digikey has its own ridiculous add-on ecosystem for getting component CADfiles. Traceparts also has a model for this particular part, and is already integrated into Fusion.

Because the Insert button isn't available in F360 Electronics, I can't even start a new project and save the model, then use Insert/Derive to get the part into my design.

In all the time I've spent trying to figure this out, I could have created my own, personal, local library of components, created the schematic, the symbol & footprint, and made my own 3D model using the parameters in the datasheet, but I don't see any way in the library manage to import my own component library.

There's lots of good functionality here, but it seems like a lot of very basic things were overlooked.

[jorge_garcia · Accepted solution]

Hi @jwilkins8475 ,

The problem is that the trace parts and mcmaster plugins don't work with Fusion 360 Electronics. With that said the SnapEDA and Ultralibrarian plugins are available and they'll get you what you need. Once they are installed you'll find them under tools menu.

I highly encourage you to make your own parts, as you've noted you can spend more time looking for a component with the 3D model than just making it yourself. The advantage of making it yourself is that you know you can trust it.

If you are having trouble getting Fusion 360 to use your own user made library please let me know and I'll be happy to help. In the library manager you can usually import whatever library you want to use.

Best Regards,

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