After update 15/4/26 Navigation and component creation

[marcus.toepke]

Hey!

Since the forced update on April 15, 2026, I have been experiencing the following issues:

1.

Once I'm on the home page, how do I get back to the data panel from there?

The data panel icon is grayed out:

And did they change the order of the icons? The data panel used to be the first one there, right?

To get back to the data panel, I have to create a new part first, but that can't be right!

Does anyone have any advice for me?

2.

When I want to create a component in a hybrid design in the design area, it’s only available as an external component!

Is that really true, or are you serious?
It couldn’t be any more of a hassle!

That wouldn't be so bad, but when I try to edit external components directly, the program often crashes!
That's why I've mostly avoided working with external components!

But when you're forced to do it unnecessarily, it's not so funny!😉

[bbtfabrications]

OMG I thought I was the only one having the home tab issue.  Honestly I don't see the purpose of the home tab at all.  Why do they insist on changing things that aren't broken but refuse to fix things everyone hates?

[bwalker145]

1. As you stated, you first have to start a new design or open an existing, in order to access the data panel that we're used to. I'm not a fan of this change at all. Not only does it force you to use the homepage, which I find useless (and now you're bouncing between two file navigation formats), but it also re-introduces the problem of the "What do you want to design" popping up excessively often since you have to start a new design just to browse your files in the panel!

And yes, I believe that they moved the icons, as I keep accidentally clicking the "home" button.

2. As a workaround, if you change the type to "Part", it will create an internal component in your Hybrid design. However, this is not an acceptable alternative in my opinion. Fusion is changing default workflows, ignoring user preferences, and adding even more steps to accomplish basic tasks. I'm really hoping this is just a bug, not a deliberate design choice, and will be corrected soon....

[MikeSmell_ADSK]

Hi there - For issue one, I can share some more details. There is no option to change the behavior on close. We do have an option to control the startup behavior, as documented here - https://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/blog/april-2026-product-update-whats-new/#usability.

Can you tell me more about your preference for the data panel vs. your recent documents? Is it just more familiar, or are you regularly navigating across different projects? 

[marcus.toepke]

The data panel is just easier to use.

Here’s another simple example: when I want to import an *.ipt file, it doesn’t seem to work from the start screen either.
When I press Ctrl+O on the start screen and select a file,
a window titled “Open Imported File” does appear after a short while,

but when you click the link, nothing happens!

I have to create a part first and then import the *.ipt file from my computer. It couldn’t be more cumbersome!
You end up clicking yourself silly with this method.

It all just seems very ill-conceived

I'm really sorry to have to say this, but forcing users to install such unfinished, unusable products as mandatory updates is unacceptable if a software user want to make money using the software!

And don't even try to tell me to just postpone the update! How are we supposed to know what kind of mess we're getting into before we install it?

Even if this might come across that way in this text, I don’t mean any harm, but this just isn’t right!

[marcus.toepke]

Another one of those things!
I'm on the start screen.
I create a new folder and go into that folder... I click on “New” and then on “Component”... The component opens... I want to save it... where does Fusion save the component?

In the folder where I last did something!
Why do I even go to the new folder on the home screen if I then have to search for the path again in the data panel?

[marcus.toepke]

We don't just want to complain!
It looks like creating components within a design is working again!

Thx Autodesk!

[MikeSmell_ADSK]

Hi all - Thanks for the feedback. Please see my update from today in this thread. We are working on a refinement to the behaviors associated with this change. 

[MikeSmell_ADSK]

Hi all, 

Please see my latest updates on Home behavior here.

Thanks, 

Mike

[MikeSmell_ADSK]

Hi all - 

Refinements to the Startup experience are now live with the latest Fusion update. Please see my update post here.

Thanks, 

Mike Smell

Sr. Principal Product Manager, Fusion