CAD/CAM Glossary

In practice: Transfer a mesh using a format that supports unit information.

Also find this with: 3mf file, 3D manufacturing format

Connect the ideas

Reference: Mesh export (Autodesk, opens in a new tab) · Export designs and file formats (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Clear bulk material before a finishing pass.

Some Fusion versions and tutorials use the name Adaptive Clearing.

Also find this with: adaptive clearing, adaptive, 3D adaptive, 2D adaptive, roughing

Connect the ideas

Reference: Generate a 3D Adaptive Roughing toolpath (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Keep assembled parts positioned while adding their motion relationship.

Also find this with: as built, asbuilt, as built joint

Connect the ideas

Reference: Create an as-built joint (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Combine a crankshaft, connecting rod and piston.

Also find this with: assemblies, subassembly, sub assembly

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Reference: Components (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Represent a ball-and-socket connection.

Also find this with: ball, ball and socket

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Reference: Joint types (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Place a front view before projecting side views.

Also find this with: base view, parent view

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Reference: Drawing workspace reference (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: A component may contain several separate bodies.

Joints connect components, rather than bodies inside the same component.

Also find this with: bodies, body vs component, bodies vs components

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Reference: Bodies (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Expand a component to find its sketches and bodies.

This is Fusion’s Browser, rather than your web browser.

Also find this with: design tree, model tree, where are my bodies

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Reference: Fusion interface (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Create milling operations for a modelled bracket.

Also find this with: computer aided manufacturing, manufacturing, CNC, machining

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Reference: Workflow: Milling (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Select a face in the canvas before starting a command.

Also find this with: graphics window, viewport, modelling window

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Reference: Fusion interface (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Add a bevel to help a pin enter a hole.

Also find this with: chamfers, bevel, bevelled edge

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Reference: Modify tools for solid bodies (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Connect two line endpoints.

Also find this with: coincident, coincidence, join sketch endpoints

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Reference: Constraints in sketches (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Align two separated straight segments.

Also find this with: collinear, colinearity

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Reference: Constraints in sketches (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Subtract a tool body from a target body.

Also find this with: boolean, boolean operation, combine bodies

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Reference: Modify tools for solid bodies (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Place moving parts in separate components.

Also find this with: components, part, body vs component, bodies vs components

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Reference: Components (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Centre two circles for a ring.

Also find this with: concentric, same centre, same center

Connect the ideas

Reference: Constraints in sketches (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Keep two lines perpendicular as you change their lengths.

Also find this with: sketch constraints, geometric constraint

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Reference: Constraints in sketches (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Create an axis through a cylinder for a revolve.

Also find this with: axis, axes, reference axis, datum axis

Connect the ideas

Reference: Construction geometry (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Use a construction line to position two holes.

Also find this with: construction line, dashed line, reference line

Connect the ideas

Reference: Sketches in Fusion (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Create a sketch partway through a model.

Also find this with: reference plane, datum plane, plane

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Reference: Construction geometry (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Move selected control points to widen a grip.

A control point need not lie on the smooth displayed surface.

Also find this with: control points, control cage, control frame

Connect the ideas

Reference: Control points and surface points (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Convert a simple mesh before further CAD edits.

The result depends on mesh quality, complexity and conversion method.

Also find this with: mesh to solid, convert STL, mesh conversion, BRep, boundary representation

Connect the ideas

Reference: Convert a mesh body (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Keep an edge sharp within an otherwise smooth form.

Also find this with: crease edges, uncrease, sharp form edge

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Reference: Crease edges of T-Spline body (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Extrude a circular profile through a plate to cut a hole.

Also find this with: subtract, cutout, cut extrusion

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Reference: Solids from sketches (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Represent a rod that slides and turns.

It does not automatically couple rotation and travel like a screw thread.

Also find this with: cylindrical, slide and rotate

Connect the ideas

Reference: Joint types (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: A free rigid component has three translations and three rotations.

Also find this with: DOF, freedom, free movement

Connect the ideas

Reference: Assembly relationships (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Show a small groove more clearly.

Also find this with: detail view, enlarged view

Connect the ideas

Reference: Drawing workspace reference (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Adjust imported geometry without maintaining its original feature history.

Switching a whole design to Direct Modeling removes its parametric feature history.

Also find this with: direct modeling, history free, no timeline

Connect the ideas

Reference: Modeling modes (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Taper a moulded part’s side walls.

Also find this with: draft angle, taper, tapered faces

Connect the ideas

Reference: Modify tools for solid bodies (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Create a dimensioned sheet for a manufactured part.

Also find this with: technical drawing, engineering drawing, Drawing workspace

Connect the ideas

Reference: Drawing workspace reference (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Dimension the diameter of a hole on a sheet.

A drawing dimension documents geometry; a driving sketch dimension controls it.

Also find this with: drawing dimensions, dimension drawing, annotation

Connect the ideas

Reference: Dimensions in drawings (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Display a distance already determined by other constraints.

Changing a driven value does not resize the geometry.

Also find this with: reference dimension, driven dimensions, measuring dimension

Connect the ideas

Reference: Dimensions in sketches (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Pull a selection outward to shape a handle.

Also find this with: edit forms, form editing

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Reference: T-Spline modifications (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Keep two circle diameters equal.

Also find this with: equal, equal size

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Reference: Constraints in sketches (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Use width / 2 to calculate a centre distance.

The expression must produce compatible units.

Also find this with: formula, equation, parameter expression

Connect the ideas

Reference: Parameters in Fusion (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Reuse the same saved part in several assemblies.

The referenced design can be updated independently of the assembly.

Also find this with: linked component, xref, external reference

Connect the ideas

Reference: Components (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Turn a rectangular sketch into a plate.

Also find this with: extrusion, extruding, push sketch, pull sketch

Connect the ideas

Reference: Solids from sketches (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: An extrusion followed by a fillet creates two features.

Also find this with: features, edit feature

Connect the ideas

Reference: Modeling modes (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Use flute count and RPM when calculating a milling feed.

Also find this with: chip load, chipload, fz

Connect the ideas

Reference: Milling or Hole Making tool reference (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Set the cutting feed appropriate to the process.

Check whether a value is per minute, per tooth or per revolution.

Also find this with: feed, feed rate, cutting feedrate, feeds and speeds

Connect the ideas

Reference: Milling or Hole Making tool reference (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Soften a plate’s sharp outside edges.

Also find this with: fillets, radius, round edge, round corners

Connect the ideas

Reference: Modify tools for solid bodies (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Fix reference geometry that must stay put.

Fixing geometry is different from defining design intent with dimensions.

Also find this with: fix, unfix, green lines, green sketch, fixed geometry

Connect the ideas

Reference: Constraints in sketches (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Shape an organic grip with a control cage.

Also find this with: forms, sculpt, sculpting, organic modelling, organic modeling

Connect the ideas

Reference: T-Splines from sketches (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Locate a rectangle and define its width and height.

Use constraints and dimensions to express the intended design relationships.

Also find this with: fully defined, black lines, black sketch, constrain sketch

Connect the ideas

Reference: Fully define and constrain sketches (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Keep a mounting component fixed relative to its parent assembly.

This relationship is to the parent; it is not the same as fixing every child to global space.

Also find this with: ground, grounded, grounding, unground

Connect the ideas

Reference: Ground To Parent (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Keep a line horizontal.

Also find this with: horizontal, vertical, horizontal vertical

Connect the ideas

Reference: Constraints in sketches (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Retain only the overlap between two shapes.

Also find this with: intersection, boolean intersect

Connect the ideas

Reference: Solids from sketches (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Merge an extrusion into an existing plate.

Join combines geometry; a Joint defines a relationship between components.

Also find this with: join bodies, union, merge solids

Connect the ideas

Reference: Solids from sketches (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Connect a shaft and housing with a revolute joint.

A Joint normally positions parts as it establishes their relationship.

Also find this with: joints, joint vs join, mate, assembly constraint

Connect the ideas

Reference: Create a joint (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Blend a round section into a rectangular section.

Also find this with: lofting, lofted, guide rail

Connect the ideas

Reference: Solids from sketches (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Inspect a toolpath for reported issues before posting.

A simulation checks the supplied data; it does not guarantee a safe real-machine run.

Also find this with: simulation, simulate, collision, collisions, verify toolpath

Connect the ideas

Reference: Simulation for manufacturing (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Import a scanned shape as a mesh.

A mesh body differs from a solid or surface BRep body.

Also find this with: mesh, meshes, triangles, polygon, scan, facets

Connect the ideas

Reference: Mesh creation (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Create a centre plane through a part.

Also find this with: mid plane, centre plane, center plane

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Reference: Construction geometry (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Centre a point along a line.

Also find this with: midpoint, mid point

Connect the ideas

Reference: Constraints in sketches (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Create the opposite half of a symmetric bracket.

Also find this with: mirroring, mirror plane, mirror body

Connect the ideas

Reference: Mirror across a plane (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: An extrusion distance is stored as a model parameter.

Also find this with: model parameters, d1, feature parameter

Connect the ideas

Reference: Parameters in Fusion (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Group selected operations and choose their post processor.

Also find this with: NC program, NC code, CNC program

Connect the ideas

Reference: NC Programs (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Start a sketch 20 mm above a plate.

Also find this with: offset plane, offset construction plane

Connect the ideas

Reference: Construction geometry (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Control how heavily an adaptive pass engages the cutter.

It is a strategy parameter, rather than a universal recommendation for every cutter.

Also find this with: optimal load, radial engagement, adaptive stepover

Connect the ideas

Reference: Generate a 3D Adaptive Roughing toolpath (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Use a component’s origin when positioning a sketch.

A machining setup’s origin can differ from the design origin.

Also find this with: origins, zero point, XYZ, X Y Z

Connect the ideas

Reference: Setup reference (Autodesk, opens in a new tab) · Components (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: A new length conflicts with geometry already fixed in place.

Review existing dimensions and constraints before adding more.

Also find this with: over constrained, overconstrained, too many constraints

Connect the ideas

Reference: Sketch geometry is over constrained (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Keep opposite sides parallel.

Also find this with: parallel, parallel lines

Connect the ideas

Reference: Constraints in sketches (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Change a sketch dimension and let dependent geometry update.

Also find this with: parametric modeling, history based, capture design history, Fusion 360

Connect the ideas

Reference: Modeling modes (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Cover an opening before stitching surrounding surfaces.

Also find this with: patch surface, fill surface, surface patch

Connect the ideas

Reference: Surfaces from existing geometry (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Repeat a hole feature around a bolt circle.

Also find this with: rectangular pattern, circular pattern, pattern on path, duplicate

Connect the ideas

Reference: Mirrors and patterns (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Keep two lines at 90 degrees.

Also find this with: perpendicular, right angle, 90 degree

Connect the ideas

Reference: Constraints in sketches (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Use an appropriate post to output a milling program.

Machine compatibility and posted-code validation matter; a toolpath alone is not approval to run it.

Also find this with: post, postprocessor, post processing, posting, G-code, G code

Connect the ideas

Reference: Post processing (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Select a face and adjust its offset.

Its behaviour depends on the selection; it is not always an extrusion.

Also find this with: presspull, push pull, offset face

Connect the ideas

Reference: Modify tools for solid bodies (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Project a plate edge into a new sketch.

A projection stays associative when Projection Link is enabled.

Also find this with: projected geometry, purple lines, projection, project include

Connect the ideas

Reference: Project and include geometry (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Project a side view from the base view.

Drawing projection is different from the Project tool in a sketch.

Also find this with: projected view, orthographic view, orthographic projection

Connect the ideas

Reference: Drawing workspace reference (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Use a smaller cutter on areas a larger tool could not reach.

Also find this with: rest material, remaining stock, rest roughing

Connect the ideas

Reference: Stock tab reference (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Represent a hinge.

Also find this with: revolute, hinge, rotation joint

Connect the ideas

Reference: Joint types (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Make a turned shaft from its side profile.

Also find this with: revolution, revolving, lathe shape

Connect the ideas

Reference: Solids from sketches (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Keep a bracket and its mounting plate together.

Also find this with: rigid, fixed joint

Connect the ideas

Reference: Joint types (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Show a hidden internal passage.

Also find this with: section view, cross section, sectional view

Connect the ideas

Reference: Drawing workspace reference (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Create a setup for machining the first side of a part.

Also find this with: manufacturing setup, CAM setup, new setup

Connect the ideas

Reference: Setup reference (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Turn a block into an open enclosure.

Also find this with: shelling, hollow, wall thickness

Connect the ideas

Reference: Modify tools for solid bodies (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Draw a rectangle before extruding a plate.

Also find this with: sketches, 2D sketch, 3D sketch

Connect the ideas

Reference: Sketches in Fusion (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Set a hole diameter to 10 mm.

Also find this with: dimension, dimensions, driving dimension, dimension sketch

Connect the ideas

Reference: Dimensions in sketches (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Select the enclosed area inside a rectangle.

A solid extrusion normally needs a closed region; surface and thin-extrude workflows differ.

Also find this with: profile, closed profile, open profile, why can't I extrude, gap in sketch

Connect the ideas

Reference: Sketches in Fusion (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Represent a linear carriage.

Also find this with: slider, linear joint, sliding joint

Connect the ideas

Reference: Joint types (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: A modelled block represents material throughout its volume.

A hollow part with material wall thickness can still be a solid body.

Also find this with: solid, solids, watertight body

Connect the ideas

Reference: Bodies (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Set RPM for the selected cutter and material.

Also find this with: RPM, spindle RPM, speed, feeds and speeds

Connect the ideas

Reference: Milling or Hole Making tool reference (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Draw a flowing profile for a handle.

Fit-point and control-point splines use different ways to define the curve.

Also find this with: splines, fit point spline, control point spline

Connect the ideas

Reference: Splines in sketches (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Split a housing along a construction plane.

Also find this with: split, split solid, separate body

Connect the ideas

Reference: Modify tools for solid bodies (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Divide a deep cut into several levels.

Also find this with: step down, axial depth, depth of cut, maximum roughing stepdown

Connect the ideas

Reference: Generate a 3D Adaptive Roughing toolpath (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Use closer passes when a finish requires them.

Also find this with: step over, radial step, side step

Connect the ideas

Reference: Milling or Hole Making tool reference (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Close a surface enclosure into a solid body.

Gaps and tolerance affect whether surfaces can be joined.

Also find this with: stitching, sew surfaces, surface to solid

Connect the ideas

Reference: Stitch surface bodies (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Export a model for a compatible slicing workflow.

STL does not store a standard unit declaration; verify scale when importing.

Also find this with: stl file, stereolithography, 3D printing file

Connect the ideas

Reference: Mesh export (Autodesk, opens in a new tab) · STL and OBJ scale and units (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Define a rectangular blank larger than the finished part.

Also find this with: raw material, blank, billet, stock box

Connect the ideas

Reference: Stock tab reference (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Leave a finishing allowance after roughing.

Also find this with: stock allowance, finishing allowance, radial stock, axial stock

Connect the ideas

Reference: Generate a 3D Adaptive Roughing toolpath (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Use an open surface to define a product’s outer shape.

Also find this with: surface, surfaces, zero thickness

Connect the ideas

Reference: Bodies (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Create a pipe along a curved sketch.

Also find this with: sweeping, swept profile, path

Connect the ideas

Reference: Solids from sketches (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Mirror two points about a centreline.

Also find this with: symmetric, symmetry, symmetrical

Connect the ideas

Reference: Constraints in sketches (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Create a smooth enclosure by moving control geometry.

Also find this with: T-splines, tspline, t spline, T-Splines

Connect the ideas

Reference: Control points and surface points (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Blend an arc into a line.

Also find this with: tangent, tangency

Connect the ideas

Reference: Constraints in sketches (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Give a surface panel a material thickness.

Also find this with: thickness, thickening, surface thickness

Connect the ideas

Reference: Thicken a surface (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Edit an earlier extrusion to update later features.

The Browser organises objects; the Timeline records parametric operations.

Also find this with: history bar, design history, where is my timeline

Connect the ideas

Reference: Modeling modes (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Save a frequently used end mill with its holder.

Also find this with: tool libraries, tool database, tool preset, holder

Connect the ideas

Reference: Tool Library (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Generate a toolpath to clear a pocket.

A calculated path is not the same as the machine’s posted NC code.

Also find this with: tool path, toolpaths, tool paths

Connect the ideas

Reference: Workflow: Milling (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: A dimensioned circle may still need its centre located.

Also find this with: blue lines, blue sketch, why is my sketch blue, sketch moves

Connect the ideas

Reference: Fully define and constrain sketches (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Use wallThickness to drive several dimensions consistently.

Also find this with: user parameters, named parameter, variables, change parameters

Connect the ideas

Reference: Parameters in Fusion (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Choose the Front face to look straight at the model.

Also find this with: view cube, front view, top view, isometric view

Connect the ideas

Reference: Fusion interface (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Place the setup origin at a stock corner.

A setup origin and the machine’s work offset must be configured consistently.

Also find this with: work coordinate system, work offset, part zero, G54

Connect the ideas

Reference: Setup reference (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)

In practice: Switch to Manufacture to create machining operations.

Also find this with: workspaces, workspace menu

Connect the ideas

Reference: Fusion interface (Autodesk, opens in a new tab)