How to Use Fusion 360 on Linux

If you’re into 3D modeling and design, you probably know about Autodesk’s Fusion 360. One of the most extensive and popular CAD, CAM, and simulation tools available, Fusion 360 is only available on Windows, macOS, and web browsers. A native Linux version, sadly, doesn’t exist yet. But, you can still use Fusion 360 on Linux using a few workarounds. Let’s get you started on your Fusion 360 Linux journey.

Use Fusion 360 on Linux via a Web Browser

Perhaps the simplest way to use Fusion 360 on Linux is by using its cloud-based version on any web browser. This method will work on any device with a web browser, whether you’re running Windows, macOS, or Linux. Today’s Chromebooks are some of the best laptops on the market, so this method works perfectly if you own one.

You can either use the Fusion 360 for personal use version, a cut-down variant intended only for non-commercial projects, or the full-feature Fusion 360, if you qualify for an educational subscription for the latter. If you’re a student, teacher, or IT administrator requiring access to Fusion 360, you can check whether you’re eligible for a free one-year subscription.

Your Fusion 360 Linux access on an educational subscription can be renewed every year, as long as you’re eligible for it.

Via a Virtual Machine

Since Fusion 360 is available on Windows and macOS, you can easily install the OS in a virtual machine and use Fusion 360 in the virtual environment. With the help of software like VMware and VirtualBox, you can run Windows or macOS on your Linux machine.

You can learn how to install Windows and macOS in VirtualBox.

Via Wine

Wine stands for Wine Is Not an Emulator. It is a compatibility layer that allows you to run Windows applications on Linux. It is not an emulator, nor is it a virtual machine. It works by translating Windows API calls into compatible calls on Linux.

To install Wine on your Linux machine, open a Terminal window by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T.

Check your OS version so you know which Wine package to install. You can do this with the command lscpu. The Architecture field in the output indicates whether you have a 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit OS (x86_64).

You can now install Wine by executing the command:

sudo apt install wine64

When prompted, type Y and press Enter.

It’s also recommended to install the YAD program to prevent errors further in the Fusion 360 installation process. For this, execute the following command:

sudo apt install yad

Now you can execute the following command to initiate the Fusion 360 Linux installation:

mkdir -p "$HOME/.fusion360/bin"
cd "$HOME/.fusion360/bin"
wget -N https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cryinkfly/Autodesk-Fusion-360-for-Linux/main/files/builds/stable-branch/bin/install.sh
chmod +x install.sh
./install.sh

Click OK and follow the on-screen instructions that follow to complete the Fusion 360 installation.

Fusion 360 Alternatives

While there are very few programs that offer as much as Fusion 360 at or around the same price, you can still consider the following Fusion 360 alternatives to use on Linux:

• FreeCAD: The most prominent “Fusion 360 alternative” is FreeCAD, a fully open-source CAD program that requires a certain degree of skill to use. Packed with features and supporting multiple file formats, FreeCAD is available on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
• Onshape: Onshape is a cloud-based CAD program lacking some of the features found in Fusion 360. Its advantage is that you can work with your designs anywhere since it is purely web-based. It isn’t free but there’s a free license available wherein your designs would be publicly available and free to use by others.
• SolidWorks: Another industry favorite, SolidWorks features multiple 3D CAD products, some for students and others for professionals. It’s more difficult to use than Fusion 360 but you can get student licenses for around $50-$60 a year. It’s a Windows-only tool for the full-feature version but you can many of its apps in a browser.
• SolveSpace: SolveSpace is a multi-platform 3D modeling tool that also features CAM functionality. It’s completely free and natively available on Linux. It might feel slower than Fusion 360 but for an open-source program, it’s one of the best out there.

Running Fusion 360 on Linux requires a number of technical cartwheels but the end result is well worth it. With the advent of compatibility layers like Wine and Proton allowing you to run almost all Windows applications on Linux, the open-source OS is no longer a niche hobby. Besides professional software, you can even use Proton to play Windows games on Chromebooks. If you want to play natively on Linux, however, some of the best Linux games in 2023 have Linux versions available.

All screenshots by Tanveer Singh.

Tanveer Singh - Staff Writer

After a 7-year corporate stint, Tanveer found his love for writing and tech too much to resist. An MBA in Marketing and the owner of a PC building business, he writes on PC hardware, technology, video games, and Windows. When not scouring the web for ideas, he can be found building PCs, watching anime, or playing Smash Karts on his RTX 3080 (sigh).