That's a great question. They are both AutoDesk products, and they are both for use in 3D CAD product design and modeling. However, Inventor Fusion is not sold all on its own; it comes included with the other AutoDesk warhorses (Inventor Professional and AutoCAD). For this reason, many Inventor tutorials as well as AutoCAD tutorials will include training for Fusion, also.
What is the Difference between Inventor and Inventor Fusion?
1. What is the Difference between Inventor and Inventor Fusion?
That's a great question. They are both AutoDesk products, and they are both for use in 3D CAD product design
and modeling. However, Inventor Fusion is not sold all on its own; it comes included with the other AutoDesk
warhorses (Inventor Professional and AutoCAD). For this reason, many Inventor tutorials as well as AutoCAD
tutorials will include training for Fusion, also.
Fusion is similar to other 3D parametric modelers such as CATIA, Inventor and Solidworks, but basically it has
many fewer options and functions than these programs. I'd call it the Inventor Mini. Fusion doesn't come with
modules for preparing animation or simulation. As such, it is more appropriate a software tool for static models,
and not for complex models or assemblies, especially those that require video animation.
Fusion comes bundled with AutoCAD, and this is actually where it is most handy. AutoCAD excels with the
direct modeling of geometry, but once you're transferring your AutoCAD work to 3D, it gets unwieldy. If you're
a good SolidWorks or Inventor user, you'll actually get really annoyed using Fusion. But, combine AutoCAD
with Fusion and presto, you've got the basic 3D manipulating capabilities that let you get the job done.
Another capacity that Fusion enables can be very handy in a pinch. Fusion imports files in a manner called
"history-free." Inventor Fusion is a good tool for bringing in files from other 3D modelers like SolidWorks and
CATIA (yes, Inventor Fusion can open files from these programs, as well as Inventor parts and assemblies.)
2. One of the most annoying things when you're importing part files from software is that the software you're
using will make a mess of the sketch elements and mess up your part. If you can import this model without its
history, you have a much easier time of it. That's because you can bring in these docs without converting to any
native format; normally that causes some problems that have to be fixed. Fusion lets you open the part in
whatever format, and get right to work. Now, it only exports to .dwg, but the other CAD programs can all
handle .dwg, so this shouldn't be a problem for you.
SO what about Inventor LT? Well, I'd say LT gives you more choices than Fusion and is a bit more stable. It
updates better (rather than accidentally disassociating, which Fusion has been known to do). You get many of
the same tools as in LT, but the Fusion version has fewer options, fewer tools and fewer commands. Now you
can still get the job done, it just might take a bit longer to figure out how, if you're used to working with a the
more fully functional Inventor.
For industries that require complex assemblies and need to display them with animation, as you'd create with
Inventor Studio in Inventor Professional, Inventor Fusion would not be appropriate. But if you're looking to
improve on AutoCAD's 3D capabilities, or work more freely with non-AutoDesk file formats, Fusion will fit
you just right, and many Inventor tutorials will cover basic Fusion capabilities.
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