Fusion 360

Body vs Component

Body

A body is the actual 3D geometry — the physical shape you create when you extrude, revolve, or model something. It is the raw form.

• Just a shape with no organizational structure.
• Created directly from sketches (extrude, revolve, loft, etc.).
• Lives inside a component.
• You can have multiple bodies in one component.

Component

A component is a container that holds bodies (and sketches, joints, origins, etc.). It gives that geometry identity, organization, and functionality.

• Has its own name in the browser tree.
• Has its own timeline (modeling history).
• Can be jointed to other components for motion.
• Can be copied and reused.
• Can contain other components inside it (sub-components).

Comparison

Real World Example

Say you are modelling a bicycle:

                ▼ Bicycle (top-level component)
                ▼ Frame (component)
                    — Body1 (the actual frame shape)
                ▼ Front Wheel (component)
                    — Body1 (the tire shape)
                    — Body2 (the rim shape)
                ▼ Back Wheel (component)
                    — Body1
                    — Body2
            

Here, Front Wheel and Back Wheel are separate components so you can add a rotation joint to each. Without components, you could not make the wheels spin.

The Golden Rule

Start with a body, promote to a component when you need it to behave as a distinct part.

Specifically, convert a body to a component when you need to:

• Move it independently.
• Joint it to something else.
• Reuse it multiple times.
• Organize complex designs.

Ways to Create a Component in Fusion 360

Method 1: Assemble Menu (Empty Component)

Creates a blank component ready for you to model inside.

1. Go to Assemble in the top toolbar.
2. Click New Component.
3. Give it a name.
4. Click OK.

Best for: Starting a new part from scratch within an assembly.

Method 2: Right-Click a Body (Convert Existing Body)

Turns an already modelled body into a component.

1. In the browser tree on the left, find your body.
2. Right-click it.
3. Select Create Components from Bodies.
4. Click OK.

Best for: When you modelled something first and now want to organise it properly.

Method 3: Right-Click in the Browser Tree

Creates a new component directly from the browser.

1. In the browser tree, right-click on your top-level design or an existing component.
2. Select New Component.
3. Name it.
4. Click OK.

Best for: Quickly adding a component without leaving the browser.

Method 4: Insert / Upload an Existing Design

Brings in a previously made Fusion file as a component.

1. Go to Insert in the toolbar.
2. Choose Insert into Current Design.
3. Select your saved design.
4. Click OK.

Best for: Reusing parts you already designed in other projects.

Method 5: Mirroring or Patterning

Automatically creates copies of a component.

1. Go to the Assemble or Solid toolbar.
2. Use the Mirror or Pattern tools.
3. Select the component to copy.
4. Set your parameters.

Best for: Repeated parts like bolts, wheels, or symmetrical pieces.

Quick Comparison

Important: After creating a component, always double-click it in the browser to activate it before modelling. Otherwise your sketches and bodies will go into the wrong component.

Extrude

The Extrude tool is one of the most essential commands in Autodesk Fusion 360. It converts a 2D sketch profile into a 3D solid or surface body by projecting it along a defined axis, effectively adding depth and volume to flat geometry. It forms the foundation of most parametric models — nearly every design in Fusion 360 begins with an extrusion.

How to Open the Extrude Tool

1. Via the Toolbar

Navigate to the Solid tab in the top toolbar, open the Create dropdown menu, and select Extrude. This is the standard method recommended for new users.

2. Via Right-Click Context Menu

With an active sketch profile visible in the canvas, right-click directly on the profile geometry and select Extrude from the context menu. This method automatically pre-selects the profile, reducing an extra step.

3. Via Keyboard Shortcut

Press E on the keyboard to instantly invoke the Extrude dialog. This is the preferred method for experienced users, as it significantly accelerates workflow.

The Extrude Dialog Box

1. Profile

• The 2D shape you want to extrude.
• Click to select one or multiple sketch profiles.
• Must be a closed shape (unless using Thin Extrude).

2. Start

Controls where the extrusion begins:

3. Direction

Controls which way the extrusion goes:

4. Extent

Controls how far the extrusion goes:

5. Taper Angle

• Adds a slope to the sides of the extrusion.
• Positive angle — sides widen as they go up.
• Negative angle — sides narrow as they go up.
• Useful for moulded parts that need to be removed from a mould.

6. Operation

Determines what the extrusion does to existing geometry:

7. Thin Extrude

• Lets you extrude an open line or curve and give it a wall thickness.
• Great for thin-walled parts, enclosures, or frames.
• Thickness can go inside, outside, or centered on the line.

The Cut Operation

The Cut operation removes material wherever the extruded profile overlaps with an existing body. Used for holes, slots, pockets, and channels. You can choose which bodies to cut using the Objects to Cut option, and setting the Start Condition to From Object lets you begin the cut from a specific face rather than the sketch plane.

Editing an Extrusion After Creation

• Find the extrusion in the timeline at the bottom of the screen.
• Right-click → Edit Feature to reopen the dialog and change any setting.
• Or double-click the original sketch to edit the profile — the extrusion updates automatically.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Common Beginner Mistakes

• Forgetting to activate a component before extruding — the body ends up in the wrong place.
• Using an open sketch without enabling Thin Extrude.
• Not choosing the right Operation (Join vs New Body vs Cut).
• Over-extruding past what you need — use To Object for precision.