Generating G-code for Prusa MK3.9 and MK4 Printers using Autodesk Fusion

[novotp31]

Hello, I would like to ask how to correctly generate G-code for the Prusa MK3.9 or MK4 printer using Autodesk Fusion. There is no preset for these printers in the Fusion Machine Library. In the past, we used the Prusa i3 MK3S, which is available in the Fusion Machine Library, so I had no problem with the export. Is the older profile compatible with the printer after the upgrade? Is it possible to get profiles for newer versions of Prusa printers for Autodesk Fusion somewhere?

[thomas.stock · Accepted solution]

Hi @novotp31 ,

The MK4 requires a slightly different postprocessor than the previous Prusa printers.

We are currently working on this and you should see a new machine & updated post supporting the MK4 and the XL in a future release.

[fore4four2025]

I am new to 3D printing and fusion 360. I have a new Prusa MK4S. I want to use fusion to slice and prepare my models for printing. I am currently on a trial for fusion and evaluating it, for use with my printer.

As I have found and you have mentioned there is no current machine tools for the MK4S. I am wondering if I should base this on my decision to buy Fusion. It is a shame that it does not support the latest Prusa printers. 

How can I be notified when this is updated and supported? Do you know when there will be a release to support this?

[thomas.stock]

HI @fore4four2025 ,

Unfortunately, I cannot give you a guaranteed date of when we plan to release support for these machines, but I can estimate that we will support them in the next couple of releases.

Any additive functionality or machine release will be detailed in the "What's New" Fusion blog's for each release:

Autodesk Fusion What's New blogs

[smithers]

As a workaround, you can install the (free) Prusaslicer software, and then within Fusion 360's 'Design' Workspace choose File > 3D Print; then set Presentation Type to 'Print Utility' and Application to 'PrusaSlicer'. Click 'OK' and your model will export straight into Prusaslicer for you to complete the manufacturing workflow.

[thomas.stock]

Hi all,

We are currently testing a beta version of the post that supports the printers mentioned along with the XL. 

Once we have validated the postprocessor, we will release the printers & updated post to the online library.

[thomas.stock]

Hi all,

Apologies, the team have been very busy preparing for and attending Formnext 2024 (which happened last week). 

Internally we have had success printing to the Prusa XL from Fusion, and are now working on making this available for users.

[antalkerekes]

Thank you for keeping us posted on this!

[cedric.duchene]

Hi I would like to know if the new releases included this feature yet or no ?

Best, Cédric

[thomas.stock]

Hi @cedric.duchene ,

So machines and print settings are made available independently of the Fusion releases. This is because they only require to be uploaded into an online library for users to have access to them.
We would like to note that we will only be releasing the Prusa XL without the Multi-tool since we do not have the capability to generate prime towers in Fusion yet - this is something we will be prioritizing.

[jrichels20]

Hello.  As of 2/7/25 the MK4 is an available selection.   Is the MK4 postprocessor compatible with the MK4S?   Thank you.

[jrichels20]

The MK4 postprocessor is not compatible with the MK4S.  The resulting file generates an error on the printer.  Overriding the error and printing anyway results in a extremely slow printing process, which failed due to supports falling off mid-print.

[atland]

Following up on this topic:
I am trying to print on a Prusa 3.9 and would like to use the manufacturing options from Fusion as they give more control than Prusa slicer.

I can see the Prusa MK4 in Fusion library. Will g-code generated with this selection be compatible with the Prusa MK3.9?

[thomas.stock]

Hi @atland ,

Yes I believe so - seems the Mk3.9 is near-identical to the Mk4, and so I would assume could run the same print file. It would be interesting if you could try it and let us know! Perhaps we could then create a version of the Mk3.9 machine in Fusion.

[atland]

Hello @thomas.stock ,

I've attempted to run gcode produced by additive manufacturing in Fusion on a Prusa 3.9.

The Prusa machine does not seem to recognize regular gcode. That is, when I try to print on a Prusa the machine does not give me the option to select a .gcode file. Looking at the Prusa slicer, it produces the file format binary gcode: ".bgcode" extension. There is a tool in the Prusa slicer to convert ascii gcode to binary gcode, but it produces an error when I try to use it on a gcode file produced by fusion.

Is there a way for Fusion to produce this .bgcode format in the post-processing phase?

- Andrew

[thomas.stock]

Hi  @atland ,

Interesting that you found the Prusa Mk3.9 was unable to accept .gcode files. I must say, that I am surprised by this, and didn't think this was the case since you are able to export a .gcode file for an Mk4 printer from Prusa slicer - see my attached image:

Therefore, theoretically, there shouldn't be a problem printing to either the Mk3.9 or Mk4 via .gcode files generated by Fusion.
However, looking back at what @jrichels20 reported, perhaps there's some tweaking to do for the Mk4 post...

Sorry for missing your message @jrichels20 . If you can remember, what was the error message message that you had to override?

Ps, in case anyone is interested / wants to help, here's a .gcode file that I have generated from Fusion for an Mk4 printer, loaded with PLA filament. Would be interesting to see if this prints ok and if there's any error messages still:

[thomas.stock]

Hi @atland ,

One thing I meant to mention is that when you create the Prusa Mk3.9 machine in Fusion, make sure to select the correct (or most relevant in this case) printer model in the Post Processing tab.

This is just telling the postprocessor which model and hence what functions are required.

Hope this makes sense - ping me if not!

[thomas.stock]

Hi @atland & @jrichels20 , did you see my above response? Would be super useful for us to hear your feedback!

[atland]

@thomas.stock 

Thanks for the note about printer choice in Post; I now have the post process setup as shown in the screenshot below.

The issue from before, as I think I understand it, was to do with the setting and setup of the Prusa machine I was using, not with the file being written by Fusion. As you noted, the Prusa's can definitely take gcode. Things seem to be working now.

- Andrew

[thomas.stock]

Hi @atland ,

Ok great to hear it is all working for you!