【3D Printing Tutorial】Fusion 360 Export STL Files: Simple Steps, Multiple Options!
Fusion 360 is an easy-to-use digital modeling design (CAD) and manufacturing (CAM) software, making it an excellent choice for complex 2D and 3D design and manufacturing or rapid prototyping. It also offers students a three-year free license. Whether for professional modeling or personal interest, Fusion 360 is highly suitable. One important function is to export 3D models as STL files for slicing before 3D printing. Below, we've compiled several methods for exporting 3D models as STL files in Fusion 360. You can choose based on your needs, whether it's exporting assemblies, bodies, or multiple components, to streamline your workflow.
(I) Exporting an Entire Design
If you want to export an entire design (including all bodies and components), the most direct way is to click the menu on the left, right-click the top-level object name, and then select "Save as STL" from the dropdown list. A small panel will appear, allowing you to choose whether to directly send the file to 3D printing slicer software, such as Cura, Meshmixer, or PreForm.
(Save the entire design as an STL file. Image source: Ryan Slomkowski)
(II) Exporting a Single Component or Body
To export a single component or body, right-click on the component or body name, then select "Save as STL" from the dropdown menu. This will open the same panel as in "Method One" above, but you can directly export a single component. Alternatively, you can directly select the "3D Print" function under the "Make" option in the top toolbar, and you can also choose the object you wish to export.
(Path to save a component or body as STL. Image source: Ryan Slomkowski)
(III) Exporting Multiple Bodies as Separate STL Files
To export multiple bodies as separate STL files, you can achieve this by creating a group. First, select "New Group" under the "Create" tool in the toolbar, and a small panel will appear. Then, select one or more bodies, making sure to switch the option "From Bodies" and only select one body, then click "Ok".
(Path to save multiple bodies as an STL file. Image source: Ryan Slomkowski)
After creating the group, it will appear at the bottom right. Then, add each additional body to this group. Finally, right-click the group, select "Save as STL," and choose "One File" in the "Structure" panel.
(IV) Other 3D Software Conversion
The different approaches above can provide faster export efficiency for complex objects. If you have any recommended methods, or if there are any omissions due to software updates, please feel free to message us on our fan page so we can share the latest content with everyone. If you need conversion methods for other software, we have also compiled them in the "How to Export STL/OBJ Files from Various 3D Software" tutorial and will continue to update it. Please stay tuned for our tutorials and latest news.Follow our fan page to stay updated: https://www.facebook.com/3dmart.com.tw/
Reference