Richard Stubley
Learn how to center parts precisely using constrain components in Autodesk Fusion for faster, more accurate assembly alignment.
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How to center a part with constrain components in Fusion
When building assemblies in Fusion, centering parts accurately ensures perfect alignment and smooth operation. Instead of manually eyeballing geometry or relying on repeated moves, you can use the constrain components command to automatically center and maintain relationships between parts. This guide walks through how to use the tool to speed up your workflow and keep assemblies consistent.
What Is constrain components?
Constrain components defines geometric relationships between parts so Fusion can manage how they stay aligned, parallel, or centered. When you apply constraints, your design maintains intentional position rules even when other geometry changes. It’s a precise, parametric way to position parts without guesswork or repeated adjustments.
Steps to center a part in fusion
- Open your assembly
Open your assembly in the Design workspace and activate the components you want to align. - Access the constrain components command
From the Assemble tab, select constrain components to open the constraint dialog. - Select reference geometry
Choose the two faces, edges, or planes that you want to align symmetrically. For instance, pick opposite faces that define the midline. - Apply the center or midplane constraint
Choose center or midplane as the constraint type. Fusion automatically centers your part between the selected references. - Fine-tune with offset
If needed, use an offset value to tweak the position or add clearance between parts. - Test and confirm
Move one component slightly to confirm the aligned part stays centered as expected.
Why use constrain components for centering
Centering with constrain components saves time and eliminates the trial-and-error of manual alignment. It helps ensure symmetrical assembly, reduces error, and makes design intent easier to maintain, particularly in collaborative projects.
Key benefits include:
- Consistent alignment across updates or part changes.
- Mechanically accurate positioning.
- Simplified editing during design revisions.
Pro tip
Create a midplane construction feature when centering parts within symmetrical spaces. You can apply constrains directly to that plane for perfect control over positioning and symmetry.
By using constrain components to center parts in Fusion, you gain greater precision, faster setup, and-parametric control across assemblies. It’s a small change in workflow that leads to cleaner, more consistent designs—and fewer headaches during iteration and manufacturing.