How to Change Add-Ons in Fusion 360

Fusion 360 is an amazing tool for designers, makers, and engineers. It’s powerful, flexible, and full of features. But let’s face it—sometimes you want even more. That’s where add-ons come in! These little extras can give Fusion 360 superpowers. Let’s learn how to install, manage, and swap them out. No stress, no headache—just fun and simple steps!

TL;DR

Add-ons in Fusion 360 let you customize the software for your specific needs. You can find them in the Fusion 360 App Store or upload them manually. Changing add-ons is simple using the script and add-in menu. Just enable, disable, or switch them in a few clicks!

What Are Add-Ons and Why Should You Care?

Add-ons are like apps for Fusion 360. They give you new tools or automate boring tasks. Whether you 3D print, model, or work on CNC, there’s probably an add-on for you.

• Want to automate repetitive tasks? There’s an add-on for that.
• Need extra features for CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing)? Yep, there’s one for that too.
• Looking for better rendering? Add-ons can help with that.

Basically, add-ons are awesome. Now let’s look at how to change or manage them!

Types of Add-Ons in Fusion 360

Before we dive in, let’s break it down. Add-ons in Fusion 360 come in two flavors:

1. Scripts – These are simple tools that do one-time actions.
2. Add-Ins – These are always running and add features to the interface.

The good news? You manage both in the same way!

Where to Get Add-Ons

You can find add-ons in the Fusion 360 App Store. Here’s what to do:

1. Go to the Fusion 360 App Store.
2. Browse or search for the tool you need.
3. Download it—most are free!

Some add-ons are bundled as .zip or .bundle files. Others are simple scripts consisting of Python or JavaScript files.

Installing Your Add-Ons

Now let’s get them into Fusion 360. Here’s how:

For Scripts and Add-Ins

1. Open Fusion 360.
2. Click on Tools in the top menu.
3. Click on Scripts and Add-Ins.
4. In the window that opens, hit the + button to add a new one.
5. Browse to the folder where you saved your add-on. Select it.

Done! It’s now ready to use.

How to Launch or Run Add-Ons

Managing scripts and add-ins is easy:

• Open the Scripts and Add-Ins dialog (Tools > Scripts and Add-Ins).
• Under the Add-Ins tab, find the one you want.
• Click Run to start it instantly.
• You can also check “Run at Startup” if you want it to load automatically next time.

For scripts, the process is almost the same:

• Go to the Scripts tab.
• Select your script.
• Click Run.

How to Remove or Disable Add-Ons

You tried it, and it’s not your vibe. That’s okay! Here’s how to remove or disable add-ons:

To Disable

1. Open the Scripts and Add-Ins menu.
2. Find the add-in in the list.
3. Uncheck the “Run at Startup” box.
4. Click Stop to end it right away.

To Delete

1. Navigate to the scripts or add-ins folder on your computer:
• On Windows: C:\Users\[YourName]\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\Autodesk Fusion 360\API\AddIns
• On Mac: ~/Library/Application Support/Autodesk/Autodesk Fusion 360/API/AddIns
2. Delete the folder of the add-on you want to remove.
3. Restart Fusion 360.

No more annoying tools taking up space. High five!

Updating Add-Ons

Sometimes add-ons get updates. You’ll want the latest and greatest, right?

To update:

1. Check the app store or the developer’s page for a new version.
2. Download the new file.
3. Overwrite the old folder with the updated one.
4. Restart Fusion 360.

Favorite Add-Ons to Try

Not sure where to start? Here are a few cool add-ons to test out:

• Vectary Exporter – Helps you send models to a web-based 3D app.
• MapBoards – Perfect for organizing laser cut layouts!
• F360 Downloader – Makes downloading 3D models easier.
• Arrange – Automatically lays out shapes for cutting or printing.

There’s something for everyone!

Tips and Tricks for Managing Add-Ons

Let’s wrap things up with some handy tips:

• Keep your add-ons organized in folders by type.
• Don’t enable everything at once—it can slow Fusion down.
• If something crashes, disable add-ons one by one to find the problem.
• Create a backup of your favorite add-ons in case you switch computers.

Conclusion

Fusion 360 is like a toolbox. Add-ons are your extra tools. When you know how to add, remove, or update them, you’re in control. Want a smoother workflow or need to solve a tricky problem? There’s probably an add-on for that. So have fun, explore the App Store, and shape Fusion 360 to fit your needs!

Now go tweak those add-ons like a true digital craftsman!