How to Export Files from Fusion 360 to SOLIDWORKS

To use a Fusion 360 model in SOLIDWORKS, export the design from Fusion in a neutral CAD format and then open or import that file in SOLIDWORKS. STEP is usually the best option for editable solid geometry.

Pick the right Fusion export type

Use STEP when you need solid bodies in SOLIDWORKS. Use IGES mainly for surface-heavy work. Use STL or OBJ only when a mesh is acceptable, such as for 3D printing or visual reference. Mesh files are much harder to edit with standard SOLIDWORKS features.

If the design includes several components, export the full assembly only when you need the relationships between those components. For a single part, exporting only the required body keeps the SOLIDWORKS file simpler.

Export from Fusion 360

1. Open the design in Fusion 360.
2. Confirm that the correct components and bodies are visible.
3. Use the export command or download option.
4. Select STEP or another required format.
5. Save the exported file locally.
6. Wait for cloud processing if Fusion needs time to generate the file.

Open the file in SOLIDWORKS

In SOLIDWORKS, use File > Open and select the exported file. Review import options before opening. After the import finishes, save the result as a SOLIDWORKS part or assembly so you are not repeatedly translating the same neutral file.

Check units, scale, and body structure

After import, measure key features to confirm scale. Check whether the file came in as one body, multiple bodies, or an assembly. For assemblies, confirm that components are positioned correctly and that hidden Fusion bodies were not exported by mistake.

Also check orientation. A model may import correctly but face a different direction than expected. If the part will be inserted into an existing SOLIDWORKS assembly, fix orientation before building more features around it.

Repair imported geometry

Run import diagnostics if SOLIDWORKS reports gaps or bad faces. Small repair problems are common when moving between CAD systems. Fix those issues before making drawings or adding important downstream features.

If the model is only needed for reference, consider simplifying it and building clean SOLIDWORKS geometry around the imported body.

For manufactured parts, inspect small holes, thin walls, and filleted edges carefully. Translation errors often appear first around tight curvature or detailed features.

What does not transfer perfectly

Feature history, Fusion parameters, joints, appearances, and drawings may not transfer as editable SOLIDWORKS data. Treat the export as geometry transfer unless your workflow includes specialized translation tools.

Keep the original Fusion file and the exported neutral file together in the project folder. If a change is needed later, it is usually cleaner to revise the source model and export again.