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Last active September 26, 2024 11:03
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Autodesk Fusion 360 on Linux

Autodesk Fusion 360 on Linux

In the Web Browser

Ubuntu, Fedora, openSUSE, CentOS, SUSE Linux Enterprise, Debian,... users can finally use Autodesk Fusion 360 in the Linux Browser now.

https://myhub.autodesk360.com

On Chromium 55.0.2843.0 I get NET::ERR_CERTIFICATE_TRANSPARENCY_REQUIRED.

Windows version

Crashes before it even launches with https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/fusion-360/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Fusion-360-sign-in-failure-due-to-service-outage-unexpected-authentication.html

WINE on Linux

It seems like it is now possible to get it running in WINE, see https://appdb.winehq.org/objectManager.php?sClass=version&iId=36468 (not tested yet) - also see the comments below and freel free to add your hints

What is missing is to make a Fusion 360 installation immutable (so that it gets frozen and locked in time) and able to be used without an Internet connection. I would like to burn it to CD-ROM and be able to always have the same version without any changes and without having to go online. Unless Autodesk gives me that ability, I won't be using their software. (Autodesk could introduce an update with features that I don't like any time, or shut down their server stuff.) I need to be able to archive my work and the software that goes along with it, and be able to use it 30 years from now. Everything else is not long-term reliable for me. Who knows whether Autodesk is still around 30 years from now. Or say 300 years. (We can still read paper drawings from 300 years ago no problem.)

Alternatives

Since Autodesk is known for removing Linux support, forcing users to activate software online, renting rather than selling software, and for reducing capabilities in free plans, you may want to consider alternatives to Autodesk software.

  • Open Source: FreeCAD
  • Browser based and free for personal use: Onshape
@inventor2525
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For exactly the reason it's dropped in the future, or workflow changes too significantly, or files are no longer supported, it has to be run locally or with self hosting for any serious projects.

Until then, under linux, it's wine or FreeCAD. On shape might be great but, just 0 trust in it.

@mike-lloyd03
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I've been using Onshape for years for personal and professional projects. It's FAR more reliable than Fusion 360. I've had none of the countless problems that Fusion is plagued with on Onshape. You should give it a try.

@derlaft
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derlaft commented Apr 16, 2023

For exactly the reason it's dropped in the future, or workflow changes too significantly, or files are no longer supported, it has to be run locally or with self hosting for any serious projects.

FYI using fusion360 is not solving that problem either. Offline mode is severely limited and you won't be able perform basic tasks offline or if autodesk decides to pull the plug in the future.

@inventor2525
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Fusion360 can still save and load fully complete local files however, and honestly, I find the offline mode to be perfectly functional. -- Obviously that's non-ideal but it can be made to function in the event they completely change or break something, at least well enough to be absolutely sure that if something goes wrong, there is time to migrate.

I'm sure Onshape is amazing. But it being SOLELY in the cloud, as apposed to a fully functioning local program (that yes, I find aggravating to require cloud access normally). Makes it absolutely no go in my books no matter how powerful it is.

I mean, their concept of a web based cad... 'Have access to a more powerful system on cheep hardware or any OS'? Very appealing! -- But I wont do it without either a self hosted option or a equally capable offline mode. -- One where I can be sure, that if Onshape (for instance) were to fold or go offline, or I was without internet access for a time, or on a mitered connection, that I can still not only read, but actually work on, all of my files.

So... until someone else picks up the slack on that... IMHO something like this is still well required. ... While frankly, FreeCAD is developed further.

Honestly, the moment solid works or the like releases a Linux version, I'm done with all of it. I'd happily pay even a few grand for a GOOD local cad program that is mine, and on my machine, and Linux only. But I will go back 10 years worth of tech to be Linux only and as much OSS as possible, and honestly just can't justify paying someone who doesn't support me.

"Offline mode. & No windows. Period." -- Very simple.

@dreamcat4
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the other 2 main alternatives are allibre and rhino3d. however both require wine to run on linux... with the rhino one does otherwise have a mac version

@probonopd
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probonopd commented Apr 17, 2023

And a new contender (Parasolid based, like Onshape, SolidWorks, Siemens NX, Shapr3D) with a native Linux version:
https://www.plasticity.xyz/

Not cloud based. No subscription. But unfortunately tied to the hardware ("node-locked") and unfortunately no free Makers version for non-commercial use. But there is a free 30-day trial.

@mrmowgli
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mrmowgli commented Apr 17, 2023 via email

@inventor2525
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Is anyone actually having any good luck with allibre or rhino3d in wine? Like, through updates and such, seriously using it for a while?

Even fusion, i was only ever really able to keep 1 version working well enough.

plasticity at least worth keeping an eye on, but idk why node locking is still a thing, its so easy to share keys. Maybe in the future they'll figure that out.

Blender's only really good though if you already know the design, it doesn't have a true constraints, sketch, parametric kind of interface you need in mechanical design. (Have used, I mean, it's ok, but less somethings seriously changed)

@dreamcat4
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Blender's only really good though if you already know the design, it doesn't have a true constraints, sketch, parametric kind of interface you need in mechanical design. (Have used, I mean, it's ok, but less somethings seriously changed)

I generally agree. It's not possible to rely on Blender for all. Best case there are some legitimate steps in a wider process. For when it might help to import into blender, (or others like z-brush, maya). Do some things in there. And then have it as a part of the overall workflow. But then you may export again into other tools. For the rest of the steps.

Perhaps as an example:

People who gets models from other creative industries. Then has to process or repurpose an existing models that was provided by somebody else. For example lets say you are a toy manufacturer. Then you might accept some high resolution 3d model from a movie house. And do some sorts of processing on it. But that needs to be processed. And then some prototypes 3d printed. And then finally then end product might be destined for injection moulding. Or other types of manufacturing, SLA nylon. Or something else.

So in that context, it's great to be able to run blender on linux. And if blender itself can develop to fill special niches in a wider set of 3d tools. Is the best case I can make for it. Of course I agree that inherently, the lack of being parametric and stuff. It's just not expected to be as well suited or effecient / powerful for more general types of 3d cad work. And totally agree with that more mainstream perspective.

@alextrical
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alextrical commented Apr 18, 2023

From the investigation into this over the last few weeks, the issue looks to be the SSO component that they added to Fusion 360. Unfortunately this looks to be using an encryption that isn't ported to wine.

bcrypt:key_import_pair unsupported key type L"CAPIPRIVATEBLOB"
bcrypt:get_key_property unsupported algorithm 9

Ive yet to find a way to get past that error.
For a short term fix, you can download the last update (17/03/2023) prior to the SSO release on the 4th April from here

@mrnerdhair
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mrnerdhair commented Jun 12, 2023

Setting the environment variable FUSION_IDSDK to false lets you bypass the new SSO flow.

@mrmowgli
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At this point, I've been digging into FreeCad, and I have to say it's much deeper than I expected. It's fairly comprehensive and I most likely won't spend any more time on Fusion360. I think I was most miffed by their promise of a browser based version that was platform agnostic, only to see that scrapped. I'm using DeskProto for milling / machining and Freecad for everything else.

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