Fusion 360 is free 3D modeling software that students can use. It can import files from other 3D modeling programs like Rhino. This document provides steps to import a Rhino file into Fusion 360, make adjustments to the model like moving and resizing it, then set up toolpaths to CNC mill the model using Autodesk's CAM module. It describes how to select the tool, depths, stepover distances and other settings, then simulate and post-process the toolpath into G-code that can be run on a CNC machine like the Carvey.

1. THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK
New York City College of Technology
Architectural Technology Department
March 20, 2019
Written by Laurin Moseley
Rhino to Fusion 360
Fusion 360
Autodesk Fusion 360 is free for students. Download is available here: https://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/students-teachers-educators
Fusion 360 works alongside your current software. If you want to create organically shaped models not supported with your current 3D
modeler, you can do so in Fusion 360’s sculpting environment.

2. 2
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation
under Grant Numbers 1141234.
Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this
material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the
National Science Foundation.

3. 3
Rhino to Fusion 360
Importing Rhino into Fusion 360
YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THE RHINO FILE TO FOLLOW THE TUTORIAL
@ WWW.DROPBOX.COM//
- Open Fusion 360.
- Go to the File Icon and click Upload.
- Select .3dm file from folder or drag and drop the
file into designated space.
- Click Upload to finish the upload.
- Open the Data Panel to find upload.
***Because Fusion 360 operates on the cloud, all your projects
and uploads are located in the Data Panel. Once you’re signed
into your AutoDesk account in Fusion 360, the Data Panel will
show your projects, no matter what device you are using.

4. 4
Fig. 1 - Creating a Base
Adjusting Imported Model
Changing the Units
- In the Browser, go to Document Settings and
change the active units from millimeters to inches.
Moving Model
***In order to use the Carvey to mill your design,
you need to move the model 1” from the origin
along the x and y-axis. This allows for the clearance
needed for the Smart Clamp.
- Select Object.
- Go to Modify > Move/Copy.
- Move Model 1” in the x-axis and 1” in the y-axis.
Creating a Base for the Model (Fig. 1)
- Go to Create > Box
- Create a box from the origin to the opposite edge
of the model.
Rhino to Fusion 360
1”
1”

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Rhino to Fusion 360
Create New CAM Setup
Setup
- Switch to the Manufacture workspace in the
workspace drop-down list on the upper left of the
interface.
- Change units from millimeters to inches.
- Click SETUP > New Setup
- A generic stock will automatically be created and
represented as a translucent box around the model.
- To set the origin, click on Origin and select Model
Origin.
Stock
- The Stock tab will show a default offset in each
dimension. Set all offsets to 0 so that there is no
stock left behind.
SET ALL STOCK
OFFSETS TO 0 IN
CHANGE ORIGIN
TO MODEL ORIGIN

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Rhino to Fusion 360
Creating New Milling Operation
2D vs 3D Milling Processes
- Depending on the geometry you are milling, you’ll
need to choose 2D or 3D Milling Operations. 2D
milling utilizes only 2 axes cutting, where 3D milling
can cut to different depths, and create different
shapes.
- The 3D Parallel operation will run the tool over
parallel lines following the Pass direction. It is also
possible to provide Finishing passes when the tool
has finished removing all the unnecessary material.
This smoothens the surface of the model.
This is the operation this tutorial will be covering.
2D Milling Operations 3D Milling Operations

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Creating New Milling Operation
Tool Selection
- Feedrate: The distance the spindle moves relative
to the time it takes to moves along the work piece.
Units are distance/time, usually in/min. or mm/min.
- Spindle Speed: The rotational speed of the
spindle.
Units are revolutions per minute of RPM
The goal here is to optimize the feeds and speeds
so that your work is cut as quickly as possible
without breaking the end mill.
Of course, the hardness of the material plays a
major role in the proper feeds and speeds.
- Metals need slower spindle speeds to avoid
overheating, for example.
- Rigid foam is so soft that you can practically crank
up the feedrate to full tilt without worrying about
breaking an end mill.
- Soft wood will be somewhere between these two
extremes.
Recommendations for Rigid Foam
Tool: 1/8” Ball Nose Endmill
- Spindle Speed: 10,000 RPM
-Plunge Feedrate: 15in/min
All of the other variables (Cutting Feedrate, Feed
Per Tooth, etc.) will update automatically when you
adjust these two.
Rhino to Fusion 360
If the feedrate is fast and the spindle
speed is too slow, the end mill will
break under the lateral pressure.
If the feedrate is slow and the spindle
speed is faster than it needs to be,
there will be little risk of breaking the
end mill, but the job will take longer
than it needs to.
What you want is the Goldilocks zone:
a spindle speed fast enough to cut
easily and a feedrate that’s as fast
as possible without risking too much
lateral strain.

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Creating New Milling Operation
The Geometry
- Go to the Geometry tab and click on the boundary
edge of the surface you want to mill.
The Heights
- Clearance Height: the first height the tool rapids to
on its way to the start of the tool path.
Once the stock top and bottom are set, we’ll move
this manually to make sure they’re not too tall for
the Carvey’s small Z height.
- Retract Height: the height that the tool moves up
to before the next cutting pass.
We’ll also move this manually to make sure they’re
not too tall for the Carvey’s small Z height.
- Top Height: This is what the tool path will recognize
as the top plane of the model.
To set it, select Selection under the From menu and
click on one of the top corner points.
- Bottom Height: This is what the tool path will
recognize as the bottom plane of the model.
To set it, select Selection under the From menu and
click on one of the bottom corner points.
Rhino to Fusion 360
Geometry : Make sure that
the selected geometry is
away from the origin.
Clearance Height
Retract Height
Top Height
Bottom Height

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Creating New Milling Operation
Passes
The Passes tab is where you’ll set the cutting
passes.The first important setting here isTolerance,
which you should set to .001. With such a small
machine and a small cut, there’s no need to have
this setting any higher.
Stepover Concepts
- Stepover distance is the lateral distance the
cutting tool travels when it is carving a complex
surface or surfacing a flat plane.
Stepover Settings
Smaller stepdowns will make for smoother surfaces,
but if they’re too small the toolpath will take forever
to cut. Here are the settings to pay attention to:
- Maximum Roughing Stepdown is where you set
the stepdown for this file.
- Stock to Leave should be unchecked since we
don’t want to leave any material. This might be
useful if you intend to cut the stock off with a saw
when the milling operation is done.
Rhino to Fusion 360
Recommended Stepover Settings - 0.0625 in

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Creating New Milling Operation
Toolpath Preview
- Go to ACTIONS > Simulate and you’ll get a
timeline at the bottom of the screen and a control
window.
- If you turn off Toolpath and turn on Stock, you can
see a preview of the milling operation.
- Errors and possible collisions will show up in
RED on the timeline at the bottom, so you’ll be able
to make changes as needed to your machining
operation.
Post Process G-Code
Now that the tool path is set up, it’s time to create
a gCode file (the set of instructions that the Carvey
can read). Go to ACTIONS > Post Process, and
select “Easel/f360-easel” as the post processor.
This will save the gCode file in a local folder where
the Easel control software can access it.
You can find a copy of the post processor at
http://easel.inventables.com/downloads
Rhino to Fusion 360
Initial Toolpath Generation After Stimulation Process
Stock Material to Remain Carved Geometry
Post Processor Configuration
Vendor: Inventables, Inc
Post Processor Location