Mac Trackpad Gesture Support Unstable

[richardlawler]

When using my MacBook Pro (13-inch, M1, 2020 running Mac OS Big Sur 11.2.3) I inevitably lose the ability to use trackpad gestures to pan and rotate after running Fusion for any session longer than a few minutes. Two-finger drag becomes zoom and two-finger click remains secondary (right mouse button) click. 

Sometimes I can trick Fusion into resetting the trackpad gestures by switching away to another app, going to System Preferences > Trackpad and fiddling with the settings or sometime even going into a different part of Fusion like the Data Panel, but it is not consistent.

Quitting and restarting Fusion always brings the trackpad gestures back.

I have experienced this issue on-and-off for years on 2 other MacBook Pro models, but it seems to have hit a chronic level for me now. Maybe I am noticing it more because with the M1's power efficiency makes it easier to use the MacBook Pro untethered where I don't use a mouse.

There are many other reports of Mac trackpad problems on the Mac in the Forum here. The bugs get closed, but I don't find a consistent and robust solution to the problem of trackpad gesture handling instability on the Mac. 

Maybe just add a button somewhere in the user interface to reset/re-initialize the trackpad gesture handler in Fusion without requiring the user to restart Fusion.

Thank you for your attention to this persistent problem.

[schack.lindemann]

That's a good question. I suspected an issue with Rosetta2 since I'm running on a Apple Silicon MacBook Pro, but if the issue is present on Intel Macs as well then it's something else.

[dave3PGN8]

I experienced the same issue with my older (Intel-based) Macbook Pro.

[sbruton9GLL9]

This has been an issue for me on three different MacBooks (2x Intel and now M1) for over four years. Insane.

[rubsanmi]

Same here. MacBook Pro M1 running Monterey. I think going to sleep is what is triggering the loss of trackpad gestures in my case too and couldn't find a workaround yet other than closing and opening the application again.

[1Macaddict · Accepted solution]

Have you tried the Preview Feature for native trackpad support?

You can find it under Preferences/Preview Features/General/Native Trackpad

Seems to work well for me. I was having the same issue but so far this has worked well.

[rubsanmi]

Thanks, that definitely worked! Now trackpad gestures keep working after
coming back from sleep.

[REACHMEAQE66]

 same problem here and its a dealbreaker for me as i am working on large files that take ages to load but the only way to solve is to save and quit, wait 30 mins for the upload, the reopen and wait another 30 mins for the files to load. in my area there is no connection avail faster than 1mb/s for at least 1 hours drive away

[derekjohn37]

Add me to the list of frustrated users. Same problem as described above.

[1Macaddict · Accepted solution]

Have you tried the Preview Feature for native trackpad support in Fusion?

You can find it under Preferences/Preview Features/General/Native Trackpad.

I have been testing this for about 3 months and it works great. I have not had any issues since I turned it on.

[dave3PGN8]

That method solved the problem for me as well.

[ddt_thompson]

also having trackpad issues...when I zoom in "too far" (very subjective) the trackpad gestures are useless. I have to click on the pan button to move around,etc. 

[mark8DZLB]

Tired of this issue not being fixed as well.

[mark8DZLB]

ah, letting the mac sleep for a few seconds was a great solution. I'm so tired of having to restart fusion every 10 min.

[chazraybz]

Adding myself to the long list of users with this bug. Last several months I was able to trick it into triggering being able to use the gestures, but the last week or so I can't get them to work at all. Restarting both my Mac and 360, sleeping. Toggling every related setting. Going to different views, Mac settings. I can only zoom in and out with two fingers on the trackpad. Makes for an extremely poor experience and great reduction in productivity. I almost dread using it. 

[chris_sontag]

amazing you are a life saver.

[elijahfifita]

Well I'm gonna add another solution to the long list of solutions. When I downloaded Fusion 360 it added two additional icons to my application launchpad. One of those is "Autodesk Fusion 360 Service Utility". I opened that up and selected "repair Fusion 360". When I opened Fusion 360 it showed a loading bar and after it loaded the trackpad worked again. I'm on a 2015 MacBook Pro running macOS Monterey 12.6.5. Hopefully this solution works long term. 

[stevanuscg]

same issue for me. been like this for years. my normal manifestation:

1. after closing my laptop or putting it to sleep while fusion 360 is up and running. when I return to the program I have my zoom in/out control with double finger gesture but loss of SHIFT KEY to rotate the model. problem is not solved by quitting and reopening Fusion.

2. my latest rendition of this issue is that it locks the model rotation to my trackpad and I cannot deselect it. thus I cannot make other selections. wherever my trackpad moves, so does the model rotate. would love this feature when desired. hate it when not desired. 

[1Macaddict]

Have you tried the following: (see message 25 above)

Have you tried the Preview Feature for native trackpad support?

You can find it under Preferences/Preview Features/General/Native Trackpad

Seems to work well for me. I was having the same issue but so far this has worked well.

Hopefully that will help you out.

[roganesyanGVB5N]

That helped me in June 2023, very helpful!