You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience
Your Mini Basket
Your basket is currently empty.
Autodesk Inventor and Autodesk Fusion 360 are both computer-aided design (CAD) software programs developed by Autodesk. They are both used for creating 3D models and designs for various industries, including manufacturing, engineering, and architecture. However, they have different target audiences and capabilities, making them suitable for different types of design projects.
One of the most common questions we get here at Cadspec is – “Is Fusion 360 better or Inventor?”. Although a very valid question, both play their part in the design process. Below we discover more.
One of the key features of Autodesk Inventor is its parametric modeling capabilities. This allows users to create and modify parts and assemblies using constraints and parameters, which makes it easy to make changes to designs without having to start from scratch. Inventor also includes a variety of simulation and analysis tools, such as stress and motion analysis, which allows users to test the functionality and performance of their designs. Additionally, Inventor has a built-in rendering engine that allows users to create photorealistic images of their designs, which is useful for presentations and marketing materials.
When it comes to data management and collaboration, Autodesk Inventor has several tools that allow users to work with large and complex data sets. The software has a built-in data management system that allows users to organise and manage their designs, as well as collaborate with others in real-time. Inventor also includes a variety of tools for working with other CAD and CAM software, such as the ability to import and export data in a variety of formats.
On the other hand, Autodesk Fusion 360 is a more versatile and comprehensive CAD program. It is geared towards product design and development, and offers a wide range of capabilities that go beyond mechanical design such as parametric and direct modeling, simulation, animation, rendering, and more. Fusion 360 is more suitable for designers and engineers who need a wide range of capabilities, like the ability to create complex shapes, or a need to simulate and test the dynamics of their designs. Additionally, Fusion 360 has a built-in CAM (computer-aided manufacturing) functionality which allows users to prepare models for CNC machines.
One of the key features of Autodesk Fusion 360 is its direct modeling capabilities. This allows users to create and modify designs without the need for constraints and parameters, making it easy to make changes to designs quickly and easily. Fusion 360 also includes a variety of simulation and analysis tools, such as stress and motion analysis, which allows users to test the functionality and performance of their designs. Additionally, Fusion 360 has a built-in rendering engine that allows users to create photorealistic images of their designs, which is useful for presentations and marketing materials.
Still not sure on which software is the best choice for you and your business? Our manufacturing team recently had an in-depth discussion on this very topic that hopefully answers any further questions you may have.
This three day training course will instruct students in the best usage and approaches for the parametric design philosophy through a hands-on, practice intense curriculum.
This course is designed to instruct students in the best usage & approaches for the parametric design philosophy through a hands on, practice intense curriculum.
Jun 02, 2025
| Cookie | Duration | Description |
|---|---|---|
| cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". |
| cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional | 11 months | The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". |
| cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". |
| cookielawinfo-checkbox-others | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. |
| cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". |
| viewed_cookie_policy | 11 months | The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data. |
| Cookie | Duration | Description |
|---|---|---|
| __cf_bm | 30 minutes | Cloudflare set the cookie to support Cloudflare Bot Management. |
| li_gc | 5 months 27 days | Linkedin set this cookie for storing visitor's consent regarding using cookies for non-essential purposes. |
| lidc | 1 day | LinkedIn sets the lidc cookie to facilitate data center selection. |
| UserMatchHistory | 1 month | LinkedIn sets this cookie for LinkedIn Ads ID syncing. |
| Cookie | Duration | Description |
|---|---|---|
| _fbp | 3 months | Facebook sets this cookie to display advertisements when either on Facebook or on a digital platform powered by Facebook advertising after visiting the website. |
| _ga | 1 year 1 month 4 days | Google Analytics sets this cookie to calculate visitor, session and campaign data and track site usage for the site's analytics report. The cookie stores information anonymously and assigns a randomly generated number to recognise unique visitors. |
| _ga_* | 1 year 1 month 4 days | Google Analytics sets this cookie to store and count page views. |
| _gat_UA-* | 1 minute | Google Analytics sets this cookie for user behaviour tracking. |
| _gcl_au | 3 months | Google Tag Manager sets the cookie to experiment advertisement efficiency of websites using their services. |
| _gid | 1 day | Google Analytics sets this cookie to store information on how visitors use a website while also creating an analytics report of the website's performance. Some of the collected data includes the number of visitors, their source, and the pages they visit anonymously. |
| AnalyticsSyncHistory | 1 month | Linkedin set this cookie to store information about the time a sync took place with the lms_analytics cookie. |
| CONSENT | 2 years | YouTube sets this cookie via embedded YouTube videos and registers anonymous statistical data. |
| ln_or | 1 day | Linkedin sets this cookie to registers statistical data on users' behaviour on the website for internal analytics. |
| Cookie | Duration | Description |
|---|---|---|
| bcookie | 1 year | LinkedIn sets this cookie from LinkedIn share buttons and ad tags to recognize browser IDs. |
| bscookie | 1 year | LinkedIn sets this cookie to store performed actions on the website. |
| fr | 3 months | Facebook sets this cookie to show relevant advertisements by tracking user behaviour across the web, on sites with Facebook pixel or Facebook social plugin. |
| li_sugr | 3 months | LinkedIn sets this cookie to collect user behaviour data to optimise the website and make advertisements on the website more relevant. |
| VISITOR_INFO1_LIVE | 5 months 27 days | YouTube sets this cookie to measure bandwidth, determining whether the user gets the new or old player interface. |
| YSC | session | Youtube sets this cookie to track the views of embedded videos on Youtube pages. |
| yt-remote-connected-devices | never | YouTube sets this cookie to store the user's video preferences using embedded YouTube videos. |
| yt-remote-device-id | never | YouTube sets this cookie to store the user's video preferences using embedded YouTube videos. |
| yt.innertube::nextId | never | YouTube sets this cookie to register a unique ID to store data on what videos from YouTube the user has seen. |
| yt.innertube::requests | never | YouTube sets this cookie to register a unique ID to store data on what videos from YouTube the user has seen. |