Product Comparison

Fusion 360 Autodesk Inventor Professional 2017

Products (Year 2016) (Year 2016)

Deployment In order to deploy/install Fusion 360, an active internet connection is required. Can be deployed/installed locally or offline.

Platform/OS Windows & Mac. Windows only.

Mobile IOS & Android. Not available.

Under development (Project Leopard), catching up with Onshape, Solid Works

Browser-Based Version Not available.
Online Edition, CATIA etc.

Student Version Available Available

Has been enhanced & simplified for fast learning. Similar user interface could Might be complicated for first time user. Need some time to learn & adapt to
User Interface
be found in Autodesk Alias Speedform, Autodesk SimStudio Tools etc. the user interface.

Parametric Modelling Yes. Yes.

Is more powerful, better performance when editing freeform objects, e.g.

Basic freeform primitives are available to be manipulated to form the desired
Freeform Modelling Extrude, Revolve, Sweep & Loft with freeform method, ability to convert mesh
shape.
object to freeform object for further manipulation & editing.

Direct Editing Click & Drag / Push & Pull concept. Yes with history.

Yes, with professional-use tools/functions to produce grill, boss, snap fit, rest
Plastic Parts Design Yes, easy to use rib & web tools.
etc.

Sheet Metal module is quite complete. It will be more powerful if it is being

Sheet Metal Design For the moment, it is not available. But is already on the roadmap.
integrated with 3rd party add-ins.

Rules-based Design /
Not available. Available, e.g. iLogic, iPart etc.
Automation

Generative Design In Fusion 360, it is known as “Topology Optimization”. Is on the roadmap. Available, known as “Shape Generator”.

Up to 3-axis machining capability. 4-5 axis machining is on the roadmap, will be Powerful & advanced if being integrated with Inventor HSM Pro. For basic CAM
CAM
coming to Fusion 360 soon. operation, up to 2.5 axis only.

Frame & Weldment Design Not available, only weld symbols is on roadmap. Is available, with frame analysis.

Mold, Tool & Die Not available. Available with basic mold simulation capability, e.g. Mold Fill Analysis.

Tube & Pipe Runs Not available. Available with the capability to customize tube & pipe style.

Not available. (On the roadmap but will be integrating with other 3rd party
Electrical Systems Design Available with AutoCAD Electrical for electrical systems design.
ECAD)
Yes, for both small & large scale assembly design. For industrial-use purpose in
assembly design, it is still the preferred choice because of more tools and
Assembly Design Yes, simple & direct. Faster & easy to use joint type. functions in the assembly environment of Autodesk Inventor Professional
compared to Fusion 360, e.g. shrinkwrap, levels of detail, positional
representation tool.
Will be as powerful as or even better than the simulation in Autodesk Inventor. Moderate simulation capability with Nastran In-CAD if compared to Autodesk
Simulation Capability
Nastran + Explicit Solvers & Cloud Simulation capability is on the roadmap. Simulation Mechanical.

Rendering capability is powerful & impressive with 3ds Max or Showcase

Rendering & Visualization Limited library of materials, but constantly being updated over the months.
workflows.

Everything is on the cloud through A360 account or Fusion 360 itself. Everyone Complete with the integration of Autodesk Vault Professional. More control &
Data Management
that has been invited to the project have access to the file themselves. file management capability with Vault Pro.

Great online collaboration capability with Autodesk 360 account. Anyone could 3D or 2D files might need to be manually uploaded to a 3rd party site or
Online Collaboration
be invited into the project easily, cross-platform. Autodesk 360 site for online collaboration purpose.

AnyCAD Technology Yes Yes with associative link.

Complete & robust with lots of customization, e.g., ready-to-use template for
2D Drawing Simply easy to use and understand.
different standards.

Available with great functionality embedded into the PDF file, e.g. 3D
3D PDF Export Not available.
measurement tool, step file as attachment in PDF.