Software: Slicer for Fusion 360
Slicer for Fusion 360 is a freeware/abandonware application that slices 3D models into 2D artifacts.
Installation
It can be downloaded from https://www.autodesk.com/support/technical/article/caas/tsarticles/ts/3yg7zznS94MHNDG7KMV8Qg.html, but there are some some caveats. "Slicer for Fusion 360 is no longer maintained on the Autodesk Fusion 360 App Store. The technology is deprecated and is no longer being maintained and supported by Autodesk. Provided below is the final release of Slicer for both Mac OS and Windows.
Unzip and install like any typical application.
Usage
Slicer for Fusion 360 can be run standalone. Ignore the 'Sign in' link at the top right. Typical workflow would consist of:
- Import a 3d model in .stl or .obj format. Model does not rotate after import, so ensure “Change up-axis of the mesh to X/Y/Z”. It is odd that the Y axis is the default, Z would be used to stack layers from top to bottom, but sometimes things would be sideways. Later, the slice direction could be changed to account for the up-axis.
- Manufacturing Settings is where you set stock size, material thickness, slot offset, and tool diameter. Tool diameter would be the router bit size on a CNC, but laser may be zero or 0.0001?
- Construction Technique is either Stacked Slices, Interlocked Slices, Curve, Radial Slices, Folded Panels (think Pepakura), or 3D Slices.
- Slice direction (except in Folded Panels), select the cone to rotate the angle the model is sliced.
- Modify Form TBD
- Assembly Steps TBD
- Get Plans allows you to export as .eps, .pdf, or .dxf. Dxf allows you to set units in inches, feet, cm, or mm. Export to My Computer will save locally. Export to Fusion Team may work if logged in.