Fusion 360 and Sketchup are two accessible and popular 3D modeling / CAD softwares, and are both fairly easy to use.
They are popular among 3D printing enthusiasts due to their ease of use, and ability to export in 3D printer friendly file formats.
But asides from both being user-friendly and being good at creating 3D models, what else do they have in common?
As it happens, not much. These two softwares are as different as chalk and cheese.
Let’s take a look at the key differences between Fusion 360 and Sketchup, and help you to decide which software is best for you.
Key Features of Fusion 360
Fusion 360 by Autodesk is a 3D modeling and CAD software, with a focus on manufacturing and product development.
Fusion 360 is a cloud-based platform that can be conveniently accessed through a web browser, meaning that it will run on any operating system without issue.
It is known for its easy-to-use interface, and logically laid out workflows.
CAD and CAM capabilities
In terms of CAD, Fusion 360 uses a combination of history-based modeling and direct modeling. It allows users to design free-form or parametric models, using surfaces, solids, sheet metal, and even mesh modeling, all in one package.
The default file format is the .F3D file, and it can import CAD files from a range of other softwares, and can export in a multitude of file-types including STEP, IGES, and STL files (good for 3D printing).
Collaboration and data management tools
Being a cloud-based software, Fusion 360 does away with all of the headaches one typically associates with CAD.
When you save a file on Fusion 360, it’s right there on the cloud, enabling it to be accessed anywhere, at any time, and by any computer with the access to the files.
Collaboration takes place in Fusion Team, which is a centralized platform for project work with stakeholders.
It allows users to manage, share, review, discuss, track updates and comment on designs with other team members, department members or third-party specialists like manufacturers.
It acts as a hub for all collaboration activities related to a project.
The software also provides real-time communication features, such as markup, commenting, and messaging, which allow users to chat and discuss designs without relying on email.
This makes collaboration more efficient and streamlined.
In addition, Fusion Team centralizes all project activity in one place, including the entire version history and all communications. T
his provides a clear overview of the design’s progress, making it easy for teams to stay on top of project updates.
By bringing together all project-related information and activities in one central location, Fusion Team helps teams to collaborate more effectively and efficiently.
Simulation Features
Fusion 360 provides a comprehensive set of simulation features that support product design and development.
These tools assist designers in optimizing their designs for performance, manufacturability, and quality.
One of these features is the Injection Molding simulation, which allows users to run simulations to understand how part design influences the manufacturability and quality of plastic injection molded parts.
Non-linear Static Stress, another simulation feature, enables users to analyze the behavior of nonlinear materials under conditions of large deformation, motion, contact, and load changes.
The Event simulation feature predicts the impact of time-dependent forces on 3D design performance, while Thermal Steady State traces heat transfer and determines if a part may fail based on the maximum critical temperature.
Modal Frequencies and Structural Buckling simulations evaluate the effects of natural vibration on parts or assemblies and provide insights into critical buckling multipliers, respectively.
The Thermal Stress simulation tool evaluates temperature-induced stresses and thermal expansion characteristics of materials in a model.
Finally, the Shape Optimization feature helps users achieve their lightweight design goals by identifying and removing unnecessary material from designs.
In conclusion, these simulation features provide a comprehensive understanding of how designs will perform and how to optimize them, offering a significant advantage to product designers and developers.
Key Features of SketchUp
SketchUp was developed by Last Software in 1999 as a basic 3D modeling program for architects, interior designers, and civil engineers.
In 2006, Google acquired SketchUp and released a free version of the software.
In 2012, Trimble Navigation acquired SketchUp and expanded its capabilities to include 3D printing and film and game design.
Today, SketchUp is widely used as an intuitive and user-friendly 3D modeling software for a variety of industries, including architecture, engineering, construction, and product design.
The software has evolved over the years to offer advanced features and is now available as both a free and paid version.
Easy-to-use interface and modeling tools
SketchUp’s interface is designed to be user-friendly and intuitive.
It features a simple and clean layout, with a menu bar and toolbar at the top and a drawing area in the center.
The tools are organized into easily accessible categories, making it easy for users to find what they need.
The interface also includes a component browser that allows users to access pre-made 3D models, and a layers panel to manage and organize objects in the drawing.
Sketchup provides a wide range of tools that help users create 3D objects with ease and precision.
The Rectangle and Circle tools allow users to create basic shapes that can be used as building blocks for more complex models.
The Push/Pull tool is a powerful tool that allows users to extrude 2D shapes into 3D objects. This tool makes it easy to create objects with depth and volume. The Line and Arc tools are great for creating precise lines and curves, making it possible to create accurate representations of real-world objects.
Coloring and texturing objects is also made simple with the Paint Bucket and Eyedropper tools. These tools allow users to add color to their models and match existing colors within the model.
The Scale and Rotate tools allow users to transform objects in a variety of ways. The Follow Me tool is a unique tool that allows users to create complex shapes by extruding along a path.
The Offset tool is a useful tool that allows users to create parallel copies of objects, making it easy to create repeating patterns.
The Move and Copy tools allow users to manipulate objects, making it possible to create complex structures.
Extensive library of pre-made components
Sketchup has its own component library named “3D Warehouse”.
3D Warehouse is a vast online library of 3D models that are available to users of SketchUp.
It is a collaborative platform where users can upload and share their own models with the community.
The 3D Warehouse contains millions of models, ranging from simple objects to complex structures, making it one of the largest collections of 3D models available.
One of the key benefits of the 3D Warehouse is that it makes it easy for users to find and download models that are relevant to their projects.
Whether you need to create a model of a building, furniture, vehicles, or anything else, you can likely find it in the 3D Warehouse.
Additionally, the 3D Warehouse makes it easy to find high-quality models, as all models are rated and reviewed by other users.
Another advantage of the 3D Warehouse is that it allows users to collaborate and share their models with others.
Strong community and support resources
Sketchup is incredibly popular with architects, due to its low cost and ease of use.
The 3D Warehouse also makes it easy to add detail to scenes for rendering.
As a result of this popularity with architects (and makers), there is a vast array of online resources on YouTube, Reddit, and various Facebook groups.
There is also an official Sketchup tutorial channel, and the Skechup official website has an abundance of tutorials and guides in the Help Center.
Comparison of Fusion 360 and SketchUp
While both Fusion 360 and Sketchup are great for 3D modeling, they are quite different in terms of functionality and method (and export file type), so each software is better suited for different applications.
Learning curve
Both Fusion 360 and Sketchup are designed with usability in mind, but that said, Fusion 360 has many more features for different roles.
For example, while at its core, Sketchup is primarily a modeling tool, Fusion 360 is aimed at manufacturing and has workflows for sheetmetal work, 3D printing, CNC toolpath degeneration, simulation and more.
So while it’s not difficult to get started with either software, mastery of both can take some time, and because of the extended features, Fusion 360 may take longer to reach full mastery.
Functionality and Capabilities
SketchUp is known for its ease of use and intuitive interface. It is a great choice for users who need to quickly create basic 3D models for design or visualization purposes.
SketchUp provides a wide range of tools for creating and editing 3D objects, including basic shapes, textures, and colors. It also has a large component library and 3D Warehouse, where users can access pre-made objects and models created by others.
Fusion 360, on the other hand, is a more advanced program that offers a wider range of capabilities for product design and manufacturing.
It includes tools for creating detailed models, as well as advanced simulation and analysis features for testing product designs.
Fusion 360 also includes integrated CAD, CAM, and CAE capabilities, making it a great choice for users who need to create products for manufacturing.
In terms of collaboration, Fusion 360 offers robust collaboration tools that allow users to share and review designs with others. It also integrates with a wide range of tools and platforms, making it easy to share and access data across different teams and departments.
In conclusion, SketchUp is a great choice for users who need to quickly create basic 3D models for design and visualization, while Fusion 360 is better suited for users who need to create and manufacture complex products.
Cost and affordability
Sketchup Pro costs $299 per year, and you can get a free version of Sketchup for basic modeling for free.
Fusion 360 costs a little bit more, at $545 per year, and can be obtained for free on a student license.
Both are very reasonably priced when compared to higher-end CAD software packages such as Solidworks and Catia.
Which Software is Right for You?
There are a few factors to consider when choosing which software is right for your needs.
Manufacturing Needs
Both software are fine for modeling, and both can export as file types for 3D printing.
But if you need something a little deeper, for CNC work, or for sheet metal work, then Sketchup just isn’t going to cut it.
If you need a software dedicated to manufacturing, you may wish to choose Fusion 360.
Project Complexity
This is a tricky one to consider. How complex is complex?
While Sketchup will handle a certain amount of complexity for an architectural project, it will struggle with large, complex assemblies. But that said, when compared to a software such as Siemens NX, so will Fusion 360.
Both of these softwares will handle limited amount of complexity in terms of modeling, and Fusion 360 may have an edge over Sketchup in this area.
But you wouldn’t use either software to build a jet engine with 20,000 parts. If this is your goal, consider another software.
Rendering
Fusion 360 has its own renderer, and Sketchup has plugins for many different rendering softwares.
So if you want a software that will render nicely, right out of the box, then you may wish to consider Fusion 360.
If you have licenses for other renderers already, then Sketchup is probably your best bet.
Overall, we would say that Fusion 360 is probably better for rendering products, and if with the right plugins, Sketchup is probably better for architecture.
Budget
Both Sketchup and Fusion 360 are in roughly the same cost bracket when considering CAD in general, so the cost should not put you off from choosing one over the other.
You can always try the free version of Sketchup, or use the free trial of Fusion 360 before taking the plunge and spending money on either software.
Final Verdict
We cannot say one of these softwares is “better” than the other. They are both aimed at largely different markets.
Sketchup is one of the most widely used tools for architects (along with Autocad), and Fusion 360 is very popular with makers and product designers.
If you are planning on using the software for designing parts for 3D printing, as a biased engineer, I would recommend Fusion 360, because the modeling tools are more advanced and varies.
Or to put it another way, when it comes to 3D printing, Fusion 360 can do anything that Sketchup can (and a whole lot more).
Fusion 360 is also has solid modeling capabilities, unlike Sketchup, which is purely mash based.
If you want to 3D print something from Sketchup, it will require some modification to be watertight and print-ready.
With Fusion 360, if you model something as a solid, you can print it easily, without modification.
But we do not trash talk Sketchup. There is a reason why it is one of the most popular softwares in the world of architecture. And who are we to argue with them?
Everything has its place!
So with that said, we hope our guide has helped you with your decision. Do feel free to try before you buy, and as always, happy printing!