# Fusion 360

Application: Autodesk

Also called fusion, autodesk fusion, fusion360

Autodesk, Creative

CAD/CAM in a cloud-era Autodesk product. Fusion360.exe is the process. It is not AutoCAD.

## What you need to know

Fusion 360 is cloud CAD/CAM. AutoCAD is DWG drafting.

Fusion360.exe models parts and toolpaths with an Autodesk account. acad.exe drafts DWG. They are siblings, not clones.

- **What is it?**: CAD/CAM

  **Still current?**: Yes, see Current status

  **Official download?**: Use the vendor link in this article

Feex says

If Fusion360.exe is the process, that is Fusion, not AutoCAD. I would not hunt acad.exe to explain a missing cloud design.

## What is Fusion 360?

Fusion 360 is a parametric CAD/CAM application with a cloud account. The Windows executable is Fusion360.exe.

## If you have never used it

Fusion 360 is Autodesk's cloud CAD/CAM app. Fusion360.exe is the process. It is not AutoCAD. DWG drafting is AutoCAD. You sign in with an Autodesk account. Designs live in a cloud project plus a local cache.

## What is it used for?

**Parametric parts**

History-based solids. AutoCAD is drafting. This is CAD/CAM.

**CAM toolpaths**

Manufacture workspace. AutoCAD does not generate those toolpaths.

**Cloud projects**

Designs sync through Autodesk. Offline cache is not a DWG folder.

## Who is it for?

- Makers and students on Fusion
- Shops that program toolpaths here
- Anyone who opened AutoCAD looking for CAM

## Current status

Fusion 360 (2013) is a current cad/cam from Autodesk. The vendor still points Windows users at https://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/overview.

## How old is it?

Autodesk launched Fusion 360 in 2013. It is much younger than AutoCAD (1982). Current branding is often Autodesk Fusion. The Windows process is still Fusion360.exe.

## Versions

Major channels first. Exact build numbers are not all verified here.

Current Windows build

## System requirements

Values follow the publisher's public guidance. Workload still changes the real need.

### Minimum

| Operating system | Windows 11 23H2 or newer, per Autodesk Fusion |
| ---------------- | --------------------------------------------- |
| RAM              | 8 GB minimum, 32 GB recommended, per Autodesk |

## Resource profile

- **CPU demand**: Follows what you open inside the app

  **RAM demand**: Follows documents, tabs, or libraries

## Installed processes

These executables belong to this product when it is installed.

| Fusion360.exe | Main Windows executable |
| ------------- | ----------------------- |

## Startup components

Fusion can keep a helper for updates. That is Autodesk, not a Windows service you should disable blindly.

## File locations

| Typical install | C:\Users\\\<you>\AppData\Local\Autodesk\webdeploy\production\\ |
| --------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------- |

## File formats

F3D, STEP, IGES, STL

## Common problems

### Will not start offline

Fusion needs a periodic sign-in. That is not an AutoCAD network license file.

### Cache full or corrupt

Fusion documents a cache reset. Deleting Program Files is the wrong fix.

## Getting unstuck

### Confirm Fusion360.exe

Autodesk\webdeploy or the Fusion folder holds the app. acad.exe is AutoCAD.

### Sign in at Autodesk

Personal-use and commercial terms differ. Read Autodesk, not a forum rumor.

### Service utility / cache reset

Autodesk documents Fusion Service Utility steps.

## Alternatives

AutoCAD, Inventor, and SOLIDWORKS overlap. AutoCAD does not replace Fusion CAM.

## Official help and downloads

Start with the vendor. Random exe sites are not a support channel.

| Download      | [www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/overview ](https://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/overview)Official installer or vendor page |
| ------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Help          | [help.autodesk.com/view/fusion360/ ](https://help.autodesk.com/view/fusion360/)Vendor support                                            |
| Official site | [www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/overview ](https://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/overview)Start here, not a random exe host |

## Related hardware

Autodesk lists Windows 11 23H2 or newer and 8 GB RAM minimum for current Fusion. 32 GB is recommended.

## Technical details

Technical details

Vendor version numbers change. This article does not pin a build.

## Related

These entities connect to this article. Type is shown on every link.

[AutoCAD: Application](https://feex.it/wiki/software/autocad)[How to read Task Manager: Guide](https://feex.it/wiki/software/system/how-to-read-task-manager)

## Sources and verification

Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Feex Reviewed. [How we research](https://feex.it/wiki/research).

- [Fusion 360 official site ](https://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/overview)· Vendor product page
- [Fusion 360 help ](https://help.autodesk.com/view/fusion360/)· Vendor support
- [Foxhole process map ](https://foxhole.feex.it/)· First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark.

## Was this article useful?

A yes or no is enough. Pick a reason if you want, or add a short note.

Quick facts

The short identity of this page. Specs, sources, and the full story stay in the article.

- **Developer**: Autodesk

  **Category**: CAD/CAM

  **Process**: Fusion360.exe

  **License**: Autodesk subscription with personal-use terms Autodesk documents

  **First released**: 2013

  **Official site**: [autodesk.com/products/fusion-360](https://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/overview)

  **Mapped by Feex**: Seen on Windows PCs in Foxhole

Feex Reviewed: Last verified August 2026

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Source: [Canonical Feex Wiki page](https://feex.it/wiki/software/fusion-360/)

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