Using Autodesk Fusion
Define a part, create a project, and add a job with a machine assignment.
Prerequisites: At least one machine exists in your organization.
Required permission: Engineering → Parts, Projects, and Jobs — User or above. Admins can change any part, project, or job; Managers and Users only the ones they created.
If you already use a supported CAM software such as Autodesk Fusion, this is the recommended way. The ToolingMetrics CAM Connect plugin works inside your existing CAM workflow. The steps below walk you through the overall process to install, configure, and use the plugin for Autodesk Fusion.
- Download, install, and configure the CAM Connect plugin for your CAM software. See the plugin guide for Autodesk Fusion.
- Open the part model in the CAM software, configure it, and export the CAM document to a Tooling Metrics project.
An Engineering Project documents the full manufacturing process for a part. It contains one or more Jobs, each representing a single machine setup. Each job contains Operations — the individual machining steps with assigned tool assemblies and cutting parameters.
In this tutorial you will create a demo part and its first project.
Starter project: Download
Create a part
Section titled “Create a part”- In the sidebar, click Engineering → Parts → + Create.
- Enter the Part Number and Name (e.g., DEMO-001 and Demo Bracket).
- Optionally select a Material from the library and attach a drawing or 3D model.
- Click Create.
Create a project
Section titled “Create a project”- In the sidebar, click Engineering → Projects → + Create.
- Enter the project Name (e.g., Demo Bracket - Rev A).
- Enable Multiple jobs setup only if every job in this project runs on the same machine with different clampings or fixtures. Leave it off for this tutorial. (With it enabled, all jobs must use one machine; for jobs on different machines, leave it off.)
- Click Create.
Add a job
Section titled “Add a job”- Open the project, click the Process tab, and click + at the bottom of the job list.
- Enter the job Name (e.g., Op 10 - Milling).
- Select the Machine that will perform this job.
- Click Create.
What to expect
Section titled “What to expect”The project now has one job. The job’s status is Draft — it is not visible to production yet. The next step is to add operations.
Define Operations — add the machining steps to the job and assign tool assemblies.