Manual › Chapter 11

☁️ Exporting STEP from Fusion 360

Export STEP files from Fusion 360 components and assemblies for upload to SysHub, including version and configuration exports.

Overview

Fusion 360 is a cloud-based CAD/CAM tool by Autodesk. It stores designs in Autodesk's cloud, but supports exporting to standard formats including STEP, which is what SysHub uses to import and render your 3D geometry.

This guide covers exporting STEP files from Fusion 360 for both components and full assemblies, including the correct settings for SysHub compatibility.

How Fusion 360 Export Works

Unlike SolidWorks or Creo, Fusion 360 does not have a traditional Save As dialog. Exports are handled through the Export function in the File menu or via the Data Panel. This is an important distinction — you are exporting a copy, not saving the file.

Fusion 360 designs are always saved to the cloud automatically. The export step creates a local file on your computer that you then upload to SysHub.

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Fusion 360 uses the term component for individual parts and assembly for multi-component designs. Both export via the same workflow.

Exporting a Component or Part

  1. Open your design in Fusion 360.
  2. In the menu bar, click File → Export.
  3. In the Export dialog, set the Type dropdown to *STEP Files (.step, *.stp)**.
  4. Choose a save location on your local machine and give the file a descriptive name (e.g. motor_bracket_v2.step).
  5. Click Export. Fusion 360 will process and download the file.
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If you want to export just one component from a multi-component design, right-click the component in the Browser tree on the left and choose Export from the context menu instead of using File → Export.

Exporting a Full Assembly

To export a complete assembly with all components and their positions:

  1. Open the top-level design (the one that contains all sub-components).
  2. Make sure all components are visible and not suppressed. In the Browser tree, check that all eye icons are enabled.
  3. Click File → Export.
  4. Set the Type to *STEP Files (.step, *.stp)**.
  5. Ensure the scope is set to the top-level design, not a sub-component.
  6. Name and save the file, then click Export.

⚠️ Important: Suppressed or hidden components will not be included in the STEP export. Make all relevant components visible before exporting.

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Fusion 360 will include all component instances and their positions in a single STEP file. SysHub reads this as a full assembly hierarchy.

Recommended Export Settings

Fusion 360's STEP export has fewer configurable options than SolidWorks, but there are a few things to verify:

Setting Recommended Value
Format STEP Files (*.step, *.stp) — not F3D, OBJ, or STL
Scope Top-level design for assemblies; individual component for single parts
Version Fusion 360 exports STEP AP214 by default — no change needed
Visibility Ensure all required components are visible (unhidden) before export
Units Fusion 360 preserves your design units in the STEP file — SysHub reads them automatically

Exporting from the Data Panel

You can export a STEP file directly from the Fusion 360 Data Panel without opening the design first — useful for batch exports or accessing older versions:

  1. Click the grid icon (Show Data Panel) in the top-left of Fusion 360.
  2. Find your design. Right-click on it.
  3. Select Export from the context menu.
  4. Choose STEP as the format, name the file, and click Export.
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This method exports the latest saved version of the design. If you need a specific version, open the design first, use File → Version History to activate the correct version, then export via File → Export.

Versions & Configurations

Exporting a Past Version

  1. Open the design in Fusion 360.
  2. Click File → Version History (or right-click the design in the Data Panel and select Version History).
  3. Locate the version you want and click Open Version.
  4. With that version active, go to File → Export and export as STEP.

Exporting a Named Design Variant

If you use Fusion 360's Configurations or Parameters for design variants, activate the desired configuration from Modify → Change Parameters or the Configurations toolbar before exporting. The STEP export will capture the current state of all parameters.

File Naming Conventions

Uploading to SysHub

  1. Log in to SysHub at sys-hub.com.
  2. Open or create the relevant project.
  3. Click Upload STEP File and select your exported .step or .stp file.
  4. SysHub will process the geometry and render it in the 3D viewer — typically a few seconds for parts, up to a minute for large assemblies.
  5. Once loaded, assign the part to your project hierarchy and add metadata such as material, mass, and revision notes.
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Both .step and .stp file extensions are accepted by SysHub.

Troubleshooting

Issue Solution
Export option is greyed out Your Fusion 360 license may not include export. Personal/free licenses have export restrictions — check your subscription tier in Autodesk Account.
Missing components in viewer Hidden or suppressed components are not exported. Unhide all components in the Browser tree before exporting.
File is very large Simplify or export sub-assemblies separately. Remove internal or non-visible geometry before exporting if possible.
Geometry appears broken Run Inspect → Interference Detection in Fusion before exporting to check for invalid geometry. Fix any overlapping or zero-thickness bodies.
Wrong version exported Use File → Version History to load the correct version before exporting. The Data Panel export always uses the latest saved version.
Units look wrong in SysHub Check your Fusion 360 document units under File → Document Settings. Export the STEP again after correcting the unit setting.

Quick Reference

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