I have always used 3D CADing with Solidworks, but thought I might try Fusion 360, since I am using it for my yoyo design class 2.008.
One distinct feature between Fusion 360 and Solidwors is that in Solidworks, you create all parts individually, and then create an assembley to put them all together. This process requires separate windows. Whereas in Fusion 360, all of these can be displayed in one window (alongside views for other features such as animation). I will walk through a couple of points/tools/commands that make Fusion 360 different from Solidworks
To create a sketch, first click on the "create Sketch" icon, choose a face to sketch on. If you right click, a small panel with shortcut tools appears. Click on the one corresponding to sketch.
If you click on the "line" option, you can switch between drawing an arc and a line. The only distinction is that when you want to draw an arc, keep holding the mouse's left button on the end point and move the mouse cursor along to create your arc.
When you move the mouse over a line and triangle snaps, that means this is the midpoint.
Unlike Solidworks and other CAD models where the designer has to choose the entities and apply constraints to them, Fusion 360 works in the backward diresction. Meaning, that you first choose the constraint from the "Sketch Palette", and then choose which objects you want to apply this constarint to. Note that for symmetry constraints, you would first need to choose two objects, then the line of symmetry (just simply click in that order). It is important to establish all these relationships and constraints prior to adding dimensions.
Adding dimensions: Right click, then drag the mouse to draw an L mirrored about the y axis. You could also just grab the sketh dimension tool from the sketch tab. You only need to dimenson one entity in case you have established an "equality" constraint on them. Note that arcs are dimensioned by radius and circles are dimensioned by diameters.
To exit a sketch, simply click on the "Stop Sketch" button. Note that you will see a folder creaed on the side which says==> "sketches". You will find your sketch there.
If you want to project part of an existing model onto another one in sketch format, first choose a face, right click and choose create sketch, then in the sketch toolbar click for project/include and select project. Then choose what you want to project to that face you chose. Click ok to exit tool later.
When working with features, one nice thing about Fusion 360 is that you can have the features either joined or created as new bodies. To change between those you simply change Operation in the fearture menu on the side to whatever you would like. with features, you choose to whether choose the tool then the parts or vice versa. Hold shift down to add feature to body, if you have already added it to another. There is a press/pull tool to pull down or up for some tools.
Freeform feature: really good for sculpturing! . To use this tool, we would want to switch to the sculpt environment from the Create Form icon.
