Product Comparison

Products

Fusion 360
(Year 2016)

Autodesk Inventor Professional 2017

(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.

Browser-Based Version

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

Online Edition, CATIA etc.

Not available.

Student Version

Available

Available

User Interface

Has been enhanced & simplified for fast learning. Similar user interface could
be found in Autodesk Alias Speedform, Autodesk SimStudio Tools etc.

Might be complicated for first time user. Need some time to learn & adapt to
the user interface.

Parametric Modelling

Yes.

Yes.

Freeform Modelling

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

Extrude, Revolve, Sweep & Loft with freeform method, ability to convert mesh
object to freeform object for further manipulation & editing.

Basic freeform primitives are available to be manipulated to form the desired

shape.

Direct Editing

Click & Drag / Push & Pull concept.

Yes with history.

Plastic Parts Design

Yes, easy to use rib & web tools.

Yes, with professional-use tools/functions to produce grill, boss, snap fit, rest
etc.

Sheet Metal Design

For the moment, it is not available. But is already on the roadmap.

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

integrated with 3rd party add-ins.

Rules-based Design /
Automation

Not available.

Available, e.g. iLogic, iPart etc.

Generative Design

In Fusion 360, it is known as Topology Optimization. Is on the roadmap.

Available, known as Shape Generator.

CAM

Up to 3-axis machining capability. 4-5 axis machining is on the roadmap, will be

coming to Fusion 360 soon.

Powerful & advanced if being integrated with Inventor HSM Pro. For basic CAM
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.

Electrical Systems Design

Not available. (On the roadmap but will be integrating with other 3rd party
ECAD)

Available with AutoCAD Electrical for electrical systems design.

Yes, simple & direct. Faster & easy to use joint type.

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
functions in the assembly environment of Autodesk Inventor Professional
compared to Fusion 360, e.g. shrinkwrap, levels of detail, positional
representation tool.

Simulation Capability

Will be as powerful as or even better than the simulation in Autodesk Inventor.

Nastran + Explicit Solvers & Cloud Simulation capability is on the roadmap.

Moderate simulation capability with Nastran In-CAD if compared to Autodesk

Simulation Mechanical.

Rendering & Visualization

Limited library of materials, but constantly being updated over the months.

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

workflows.

Data Management

Everything is on the cloud through A360 account or Fusion 360 itself. Everyone
that has been invited to the project have access to the file themselves.

Complete with the integration of Autodesk Vault Professional. More control &
file management capability with Vault Pro.

Online Collaboration

Great online collaboration capability with Autodesk 360 account. Anyone could
be invited into the project easily, cross-platform.

3D or 2D files might need to be manually uploaded to a 3rd party site or

Autodesk 360 site for online collaboration purpose.

AnyCAD Technology

Yes

Yes with associative link.

2D Drawing

Simply easy to use and understand.

Complete & robust with lots of customization, e.g., ready-to-use template for
different standards.

3D PDF Export

Not available.

Available with great functionality embedded into the PDF file, e.g. 3D
measurement tool, step file as attachment in PDF.

Assembly Design