Classroom Lab Local installs vs Web browser version problems

[fullermAWUHE]

We have Fusion 360 installed locally in a classroom lab, Apple M1 based systems. We used the lab installer to install into the macOS system folders since machines are used by many different students throughout the day. The regular download attempts to install in the local user folders, and it makes no sense to have 15 to 20 installs on each lab machine, one for every unique user that uses that box. However, the system install will not auto-update and requires frequent manual updates.

Students use lab machines with local install, but often want to use the browser version at home or in a public library for homework outside of school. The major problem I am facing is version matching. When the web version updates, a student can open their files created from the older patch local install, with the web version being newer patch level. However, when they go back to the classroom, they can no longer open files with a message stating this file was created on a newer version of the software. It refuses to open at all.  So we download the lastest version, manually update every classroom machine, and then discover the local classroom versions are now newer than the web, and we are back at the same issue again, which makes it impossible for many students to do work at home or outside of school.

Two concerns: Is there anything Autodesk can do so that administrators can better stay in sync version-wise between online Fusion 360 and installed Fusion 360?

And finally why does every monthly patch break Fusion 360 so that a file created using for example using the December 2021 patch not able to even be opened on a machine that has still last months November 2021 version?

This is a real problem when Autodesk automatically updates the web version monthly, and doesnt make that version known in advance, and often does not make that version available for download. We are stuck telling students you can use the browser version or the installed version, but good luck trying to bounce back and forth. The monthly version updates clobber this ability. It only works if the versions are the same, and that never seems to last more than a couple weeks at a time.

[gabe.anderson]

Hi @fullermAWUHE,

Thanks for taking the time to explain your scenario and frustration with students moving between the lab and the browser version of Fusion 360. That does seem like a challenging situation.

I'm afraid I cannot offer any immediate solution, but wanted to acknowledge your feedback and let you know that it's on our radar and will make its way to our engineering team for consideration. 

Regards,

Gabe

[gmelantoni]

Thanks for reaching out. Every time there's an update scheduled, the Education team sends an email to all IT Admins. Do you get this email? It might help you stay on top of updates. 

[fullermAWUHE]

No, I don't receive those emails. Where is the signup for the email distrubution?

Thanks

[gabe.anderson · Accepted solution]

Hi @fullermAWUHE,

You can sign up for the Fusion 360 lab update email notifications via this form.