Fusion 360 CAM Setup / Tools / Post-processing

Control Fusion 360 manufacturing infrastructure via tools/fusion-cam-setup. All dimensions are mm. Output is JSON.

Orient yourself first

Before creating setups, understand the current manufacturing state:

tools/fusion-cam-setup info                            # are we in Manufacturing workspace?
tools/fusion-cam-setup switch                          # switch to Manufacturing workspace
tools/fusion-cam-setup list                            # list all setups
tools/fusion-cam-setup list --show-params              # with full parameter dump
tools/fusion-cam-setup operations                      # all operations across all setups
tools/fusion-cam-setup tools                           # available cutting tools

Workflow overview

1. Switch to Manufacturing workspace     →  tools/fusion-cam-setup switch
2. Create a setup (stock, WCS, model)    →  tools/fusion-cam-setup create ...
3. Set machining model bodies            →  tools/fusion-cam-setup set-model ...
4. Create operations (use fusion-cam-2d / fusion-cam-3d)
5. Generate toolpaths                    →  tools/fusion-cam-setup generate
6. Simulate to verify                    →  tools/fusion-cam-setup simulate
7. Post-process to G-code               →  tools/fusion-cam-setup post ...

Setup creation

Relative stock (default — offsets from model bounding box)

# Basic setup with default offsets (2mm sides, 4mm top)
tools/fusion-cam-setup create --name "Main Setup"

# Custom offsets
tools/fusion-cam-setup create --name "Tight Setup" --stock-offset 1 --stock-top 2

Fixed stock (explicit dimensions)

# Fixed stock size — use when you know your blank dimensions
tools/fusion-cam-setup create --name "Board" \
  --stock-mode fixed --stock-x 500 --stock-y 400 --stock-z 20

# With origin at top center (common for CNC routers)
tools/fusion-cam-setup create --name "Board" \
  --stock-mode fixed --stock-x 500 --stock-y 400 --stock-z 20 \
  --stock-point top-center

WCS origin (stock point)

Set where the WCS origin sits on the stock:

fusion-cam-setup create --name Setup1 --stock-point corner          # stock box corner (most CNC-friendly)
fusion-cam-setup create --name Setup1 --stock-point center          # center of stock
fusion-cam-setup create --name Setup1 --stock-point top-center      # top face center
fusion-cam-setup create --name Setup1 --stock-point bottom-center   # bottom face center

Use corner for most CNC workflows — it matches typical machine datum at the front-left corner of the stock.

Setup editing

# Edit stock dimensions
tools/fusion-cam-setup edit --setup "Main Setup" --stock-mode fixed --stock-x 600

# Fix WCS orientation (flip Z up)
tools/fusion-cam-setup fix --setup "Main Setup"

# Edit raw parameters directly
tools/fusion-cam-setup edit --setup "Main Setup" --params job_stockOffsetSides="3 mm"

# Discover available parameters
tools/fusion-cam-setup params --setup "Main Setup"
tools/fusion-cam-setup params --setup "Main Setup" --filter job_    # stock params only
tools/fusion-cam-setup params --setup "Main Setup" --filter wcs_    # WCS params only

Setup management

tools/fusion-cam-setup duplicate --setup "Main Setup" --new-name "Flip Side"
tools/fusion-cam-setup delete --setup "Old Setup"

Model and fixture bodies

# Set which bodies to machine (by name)
tools/fusion-cam-setup set-model --setup "Main Setup" --bodies TopPanel,SidePanel

# Set fixture bodies (clamps — tool avoids these)
tools/fusion-cam-setup set-fixture --setup "Main Setup" --fixtures Clamp1,Clamp2

# Import a body from another Fusion design
tools/fusion-cam-setup derive-body --source /path/to/design.f3d --body BodyName --new-name ImportedPart

# Create corner keep-out zones (for clamp clearance)
tools/fusion-cam-setup keepout --setup "Main Setup" --corner-size 20

Tool management

List available tools

# All tools (from document operations + local libraries)
tools/fusion-cam-setup tools

# Filter by type
tools/fusion-cam-setup tools --type flat_end
tools/fusion-cam-setup tools --type ball_end
tools/fusion-cam-setup tools --type chamfer
tools/fusion-cam-setup tools --type drill
tools/fusion-cam-setup tools --type v_bit

Create a new tool (auto-added to library)

# Flat end mill — automatically added to persistent Local library
tools/fusion-cam-setup create-tool --type "flat end mill" --diameter 6 --flutes 2

# Ball end mill
tools/fusion-cam-setup create-tool --type "ball end mill" --diameter 6 --flutes 2

# V-bit (chamfer mill)
tools/fusion-cam-setup create-tool --type "chamfer mill" --diameter 25 --tip-angle 90

# Drill
tools/fusion-cam-setup create-tool --type "drill" --diameter 5 --flutes 2

# With full specs
tools/fusion-cam-setup create-tool \
  --type "flat end mill" --diameter 6 --flutes 3 \
  --flute-length 20 --overall-length 50 \
  --tool-number 1 --description "6mm 3-flute upcut"

# Create tool WITHOUT adding to library (document-only)
tools/fusion-cam-setup create-tool --type "flat end mill" --diameter 6 --no-library

Tool disambiguation

When multiple tools share the same tool number, use --tool-description on 2D/3D operations to pick the right one:

tools/fusion-cam-2d adaptive --setup S --name Rough --tool-number 2 --tool-description "1/2 inch"
tools/fusion-cam-3d parallel --setup S --name Finish --tool-number 2 --tool-description "ball"

Library management (persistent across all documents)

The Local library persists across all Fusion 360 documents. Tools stored here are always available regardless of which document is open.

List library tools

tools/fusion-cam-setup library list

Add tools to library

# Add a tool definition directly
tools/fusion-cam-setup library add \
  --type "flat end mill" --diameter 12.7 --flutes 2 \
  --flute-length 25 --tool-number 3 --description "1/2in flat upcut"

# Copy a tool from a document operation into the library
tools/fusion-cam-setup library add-from-op --operation "Flat2"

# Bulk import all unique tools from the current document
tools/fusion-cam-setup library import-doc

Remove a tool

tools/fusion-cam-setup library remove --index 0

Export / Import (backup, sharing, migration)

# Export to JSON file
tools/fusion-cam-setup library export --output ~/my-tools.json

# Import from JSON file (deduplicates automatically)
tools/fusion-cam-setup library import-file --input ~/my-tools.json

Recommended workflow for new documents

# 1. All your tools are already in the Local library — just reference by number
tools/fusion-cam-2d adaptive --setup S --name Rough --tool-number 3

# 2. Or import tools from another document first
tools/fusion-cam-setup library import-doc

Operations query

# List all operations (all setups)
tools/fusion-cam-setup operations

# Operations in a specific setup
tools/fusion-cam-setup operations --setup "Main Setup"

# With full parameter dump (for debugging)
tools/fusion-cam-setup operations --setup "Main Setup" --show-params
# Note: --show-params filters out tool_* and holder_* params by default for cleaner output.
# To see ALL params including tool details, pass --operation NAME to filter to a specific operation.

# Set an operation to auto-detect geometry (silhouette)
tools/fusion-cam-setup silhouette --operation "2D Contour"

Generate toolpaths

# Generate all toolpaths in all setups
tools/fusion-cam-setup generate

# Generate for one setup only
tools/fusion-cam-setup generate --setup "Main Setup"

# With extended timeout (for complex models)
tools/fusion-cam-setup generate --setup "Main Setup" --timeout 300

Simulation

tools/fusion-cam-setup simulate --setup "Main Setup"

Post-processing (G-code)

# Post-process to file
tools/fusion-cam-setup post --output /Users/me/gcode/part.nc --setup "Main Setup"

# With specific post-processor
tools/fusion-cam-setup post --output /path/output.nc --setup "Main Setup" --post-processor grbl

# Open in editor after post
tools/fusion-cam-setup post --output /path/output.nc --setup "Main Setup" --open-editor

Cycle time estimation

tools/fusion-cam-setup cycle-time --setup "Main Setup"
# Returns: total_seconds, total_minutes, per-operation breakdown

Decision guide

I want to...	Command
Start CAM work	switch then create --name ...
See what's set up	list or info
Set my blank size	create --stock-mode fixed --stock-x W --stock-y D --stock-z H
Fix upside-down WCS	fix --setup S
Choose bodies to cut	set-model --bodies B1,B2
See available tools	tools
Add a tool	create-tool --type T --diameter D (auto-added to library)
See library tools	library list
Import doc tools to library	library import-doc
Backup my tool library	library export --output ~/tools.json
Make G-code	generate --setup S then post --output /path --setup S
Check machining time	cycle-time --setup S
Verify before cutting	simulate --setup S
Debug a parameter	params --setup S --filter prefix_

Common patterns

CNC router setup (flat stock, top-center origin)

tools/fusion-cam-setup switch
tools/fusion-cam-setup create --name "Router Job" \
  --stock-mode fixed --stock-x 610 --stock-y 305 --stock-z 19 \
  --stock-point top-center
tools/fusion-cam-setup set-model --setup "Router Job" --bodies Part1
tools/fusion-cam-setup keepout --setup "Router Job" --corner-size 25

Full workflow (setup → operations → G-code)

# 1. Setup
tools/fusion-cam-setup switch
tools/fusion-cam-setup create --name "Job1" --stock-mode fixed --stock-x 300 --stock-y 200 --stock-z 25

# 2. Create operations (via fusion-cam-2d)
tools/fusion-cam-2d adaptive --setup "Job1" --name "Rough" --depth 19 --stepdown 4
tools/fusion-cam-2d contour --setup "Job1" --name "Profile" --depth 19 --tabs

# 3. Generate + verify + post
tools/fusion-cam-setup generate --setup "Job1"
tools/fusion-cam-setup cycle-time --setup "Job1"
tools/fusion-cam-setup simulate --setup "Job1"
tools/fusion-cam-setup post --output ~/gcode/job1.nc --setup "Job1" --post-processor grbl

Common mistakes

• Not switching to Manufacturing workspace first — run switch before any CAM commands
• Forgetting to generate — operations must have toolpaths before post-processing
• Wrong stock point — CNC routers typically use top-center; mills use center
• Stock point defaulting to center — always specify --stock-point corner if your CNC expects origin at stock corner
• Param listing only showing tool params — the 100-param cap has been removed, tool_* params are filtered by default
• Missing model selection — if operations show no geometry, run set-model to specify which bodies to machine
• Wrong tool picked (duplicate tool numbers) — use --tool-description to disambiguate when multiple tools share the same number
• Tools lost when operations deleted — always import important tools into the Local library first with library import-doc or library add-from-op
• Tools not available in new document — use the persistent Local library (library list) instead of relying on document-embedded tools

Deploying addin changes

After editing handler files in the workspace, run ./deploy-addin.sh to copy them to the Fusion AddIns directory, then restart the addin.