READY TO MODERNIZE YOUR PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT?
Switch to Fusion – built for how teams work now
Switch to Fusion – built for how teams work now
Combine AI-assisted design automation with connected data and end-to-end manufacturing so your team can move faster with less rework.
[Webinar] The Great CAD Migration: 5 Reasons to Switch from SOLIDWORKS to Fusion
[Webinar] The Great CAD Migration: 5 Reasons to Switch from SOLIDWORKS to Fusion
While traditional CAD systems struggle to meet the demands of modern, fast-paced product development, Autodesk Fusion provides an agile, unified platform that consolidates design, engineering, and manufacturing.
This session offers practical insights into why organizations are migrating to Fusion to streamline collaboration, leverage AI automation, and accelerate production.
Date & Time: July 29 at 8 am PDT | 11 am EDT | 4 pm BST
Trusted by over 4.6 million professionals, including
Why teams switch from SOLIDWORKS to Fusion
Simplify your stack, amplify your output
Simplify your stack, amplify your output
Fragmented tools lead to broken data and processes. Fusion replaces that chaos with a unified platform where CAD, CAM, CAE, PCB, PDM and PLM live together—designed to ensure consistency and faster time-to-market, helping reduce IT overhead and simplify license management.
AI powered workflows so your team can move faster
AI powered workflows so your team can move faster
Stop fighting your software and start fueling your design. Unlike complex, rigid platforms that dictate how you work, Fusion’s generative AI provides a streamlined path to better products – helping you to optimize parts and processes throughout the design process.
Built-in, unified PDM and PLM in a single platform
Built-in, unified PDM and PLM in a single platform
End the era of PDM nightmares. Help reduce siloed workflows and version chaos with a real-time digital thread that aligns stakeholders on a single source of truth to help increase product development speed.
"I was surprised at how easy it was to switch to Fusion, especially for someone who used SOLIDWORKS in the past. Within two weeks, I was exporting full-blown sheet metal drawings in DXF to my local laser cutter."
Alex Wu, founder, Snail Works
"I've used other software in the past, like SOLIDWORKS and Rhino, and they seem so complicated compared to Fusion, the user interface and icons are easy to use. The tools in Fusion are easy to pick up, and there are loads of tutorials online."
Charlie Adlem, Production Designer, JDD
"With Fusion, we can execute several different functions within one package, and that has been the most important thing for us. We don't have to use Rhino for sculpting or SOLIDWORKS for mechanical design. We can do that with the same software and actually all work on the same file at the same time. It's a huge benefit."
Carl Budd, Engineering Manager, Moose Toys
Onboard your team to Fusion, fast
Onboard your team to Fusion, fast
Simplify tool sprawl and help reduce costs by switching from a fragmented SOLIDWORKS setup to Fusion.
With an open ecosystem and flexible APIs, Fusion adapts to your existing tech stack, not the other way around – giving you a connected and customizable product development environment for as little as $57/month.*
Keep momentum by using existing SOLIDWORKS data and connected workflows
Learn the equivalent tools quickly with free guided resources
Follow a migration checklist with no big rollout required
Access technical experts ready to help
*Pricing and capabilities vary by subscription, configuration, and extensions.
Connect design to manufacturing—end to end
Flexible modeling for faster, production-ready designs
Flexible modeling for faster, production-ready designs
Fusion makes it easier to explore, modify, and refine designs without fighting feature trees or rebuilding models.
Integrated CAE to validate manufacturability early
Integrated CAE to validate manufacturability early
Design and simulation work together—validate form, fit, and function early without jumping between disconnected tools.
Multi-discipline design in one environment
Multi-discipline design in one environment
Bring mechanical, manufacturing, and electronics design together with Fusion, so changes stay aligned from design through production.
CAD/CAM in one continuous, associate workflow
CAD/CAM in one continuous, associate workflow
Bring CAD and CAM together in a single environment to help keep design changes and toolpaths aligned while reducing handoffs and rework.
Move faster with AI-powered workflows in Fusion
Autodesk Assistant
Autodesk Assistant
Turn questions into action with AI that uses model context to help you carry out tasks and workflows directly within Fusion.
Turn questions into action with AI that uses model context to help you carry out tasks and workflows directly within Fusion.
Keep feedback, versions, and decisions connected
Cloud-native, realtime collaboration
Cloud-native, realtime collaboration
Ditch the PDM check-ins. Fusion delivers a cloud-first, single source of truth for real-time collaboration without the local file headache.
Built-in data management from day one
Built-in data management from day one
Stop fighting your PDM. Fusion delivers built-in data management that is designed to work out of the box - no separate PDM systems required.
Integrated PLM that scales with your business
Integrated PLM that scales with your business
Help reduce the complexity of traditional PLM setup. Fusion connects CAD to BOMs, changes, and approvals, without heavy PLM infrastructure.
Future-ready platform for modern, distributed teams
Future-ready platform for modern, distributed teams
Unlock the future of manufacturing. Experience cloud-native, AI-driven power that moves with you—without machine-tied limits.
Autodesk Fusion Plans & Pricing
Whether you’re a lean R&D group, or a multi-site manufacturing business with hundreds of engineers and operators — Fusion scales with you.
THE INTEGRATED MFG. SOLUTION FOR PROFESSIONAL SHOPS & PRODUCTION TEAMS
Autodesk Fusion for Manufacturing
Autodesk Fusion for Manufacturing
Best for teams moving beyond standalone CAM tools — unify advanced CAM automation, high-precision machining, and robust CAD tools in one environment.
Why teams switch from legacy CAD/CAM stacks:
Reduce lost features, model issues, and rework during CAD → CAM handoff
Stop paying for multiple expensive licenses to achieve one workflow
Cloud collaboration means your entire shop operates from one source of truth
Includes all Fusion features, plus advanced manufacturing capabilities:
2D to full 5-axis machining for production-grade accuracy
Intelligent toolpathing for milling, turning, and turn-mill
Automated CAM programming to reduce setup and cycle times
In-process part inspection + probing
Free and fully editable post-processors
Integrated CAD + CAM to eliminate rework and data translation
Scalable workflows for prototyping through production
$1,530 $2,040 / year
THE COMPLETE DESIGN + DATA PLATFORM FOR ENGINEERING TEAMS READY TO MODERNIZE
Autodesk Fusion for Design
Autodesk Fusion for Design
Best for teams who need enterprise-grade accuracy, data rigor, and design-to-manufacture continuity — without the complexity of legacy systems.
Why teams switch from legacy tools and add-ons:
Faster decision-making with real-time collaboration and cloud data
Fewer version conflicts, broken references, or file-sync issues
Help lower total cost to design, manage data, and manufacture all in one platform
Includes all Fusion features, plus advanced design capabilities:
11 advanced simulation studies to validate early and often
Generative design for lightweight, high-performance innovation
Advanced surfacing and mesh tools for complex geometry
Plastic, sheet metal, and DFM tools to design for manufacturability
Integrated data management and PLM to support enterprise rigor and supply chain
$1,643 $2,190 / year
Ready to modernize your product development?
Autodesk Fusion connects your entire product development processes by integrating design, manufacturing, data and operations into a single platform.
Connect with our dedicated sales team to find the best solution that fits with your company's needs by simply completing this form.
Autodesk Fusion connects your entire product development processes by integrating design, manufacturing, data and operations into a single platform.
Connect with our dedicated sales team to find the best solution that fits with your company's needs by simply completing this form.
Ready to modernize your product development?
Autodesk Fusion connects your entire product development processes by integrating design, manufacturing, data and operations into a single platform.
Connect with our dedicated sales team to find the best solution that fits with your company's needs by simply completing this form.
Autodesk Fusion connects your entire product development processes by integrating design, manufacturing, data and operations into a single platform.
Connect with our dedicated sales team to find the best solution that fits with your company's needs by simply completing this form.
Autodesk Fusion vs SOLIDWORKS frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Yes. Many SOLIDWORKS users find it easy to transition to Autodesk Fusion because the core CAD concepts are the same, and Autodesk provides dedicated migration support.
Shared CAD foundations: Both tools use sketch‑based, parametric modeling, features, and design history.
SOLIDWORKS file compatibility: Fusion can open and work with SOLIDWORKS part and assembly files, enabling reuse of existing designs.
Mapped workflows: Common SOLIDWORKS concepts (mates, equations, toolbox) have comparable equivalents in Fusion (constraints, parameters, fasteners).
Targeted learning resources: Autodesk offers transition guides and tutorials specifically for SOLIDWORKS users.
Yes. For everyday mechanical design, the core parametric and direct modeling tools in Autodesk Fusion and SOLIDWORKS are comparable, and both are well suited for parts, assemblies, and common production workflows.
Parametric modeling: Both Autodesk Fusion and SOLIDWORKS support sketch‑based, parametric modeling with design history, dimensions, constraints, and editable features. This allows designers to capture design intent and update models predictably when parameters change. Parametric workflows like sketches → extrudes/cuts, fillets, patterns, and configurable dimensions are standard in both tools.
Direct modeling: Both platforms also support direct modeling workflows, enabling designers to push, pull, offset, or move faces without re‑editing the original feature history. This is commonly used for quick changes, late‑stage edits, and working with imported geometry such as STEP files. Fusion natively blends direct edits with its parametric timeline, while SOLIDWORKS offers direct editing tools primarily for modifying existing or imported features.
You should consider switching from SOLIDWORKS to Autodesk Fusion if you want a more integrated, cloud‑based design‑to‑manufacturing workflow with fewer tools, easier collaboration, and greater flexibility across teams. Key reasons organizations switch to Autodesk Fusion include:
1. Integrated CAD, CAM, CAE, electronics, and data management: Autodesk Fusion combines mechanical design, simulation, manufacturing (CAM), electronics (PCB), and data management in a single platform. This reduces the need for multiple add‑ons and external applications that are often required in a traditional SOLIDWORKS workflow.
2. Streamlined design‑to‑manufacturing workflows: Fusion enables teams to move from design to CNC programming, simulation, and production within one environment. This minimizes data translation, reduces handoffs, and improves consistency between design and manufacturing teams.
3. Cloud‑based collaboration and data access: Fusion is cloud‑native, allowing teams to collaborate in real time, manage versions automatically, and access designs from any location or device. This contrasts with SOLIDWORKS’ primarily file‑based, desktop‑centric workflows, which often require additional systems for collaboration and version control.
4. Flexible deployment and cross‑platform support: Autodesk Fusion runs on Windows and macOS and supports browser‑based and mobile access. This makes it easier for organizations with mixed hardware environments or distributed teams to standardize on a single platform.
5. Comparable mechanical design capabilities with a modern workflow: Fusion offers robust parametric and direct modeling tools suitable for everyday mechanical design, similar to SOLIDWORKS. The difference is not capability, but workflow. Fusion is built to support iterative design, quick edits, and downstream manufacturing within the same system.
6. Lower operational complexity as teams scale: By consolidating tools into one platform, Fusion can reduce software fragmentation, training overhead, and integration challenges—especially for small to mid‑sized teams, startups, and job shops.