Furniture Design in Fusion 360

Learn the design process to take your next furniture build from idea to finished plans that is instantly adjustable!

Let's be honest...3D modeling is hard.

Learning any 3D modeling program can be pretty overwhelming. From just getting around the workspace to actually designing the piece of furniture that you want, it can get pretty confusing.

I know that because I've been there, I've taught myself how to model in Fusion 360 and picked up a ton of tips and tricks along the way. Specifically if you are a woodworker or maker wanting to visualize your designs before you get into the shop.

This is why I made this course, so you can skip the hours watching YouTube tutorials and reading forums and get to actually building furniture!

- Brandon

If you’re looking to dive into Fusion360 this is where I’d start. Great pace and well explained.

David Picciuto "Make Something"

Go from Zero to 3D Hero

Never even downloaded Fusion 360 before? No worries! We start from a complete blank slate and walk you through a step by step process of furniture design.

Turn Ideas into 3D Models

Got a great idea for a table but not sure how its going to go together? Being able to virtually "build" your design helps you work through problem areas without wasting material.

Learn to Model Joinery

Designs look great from the outside but we all know some of the hardest is how it is put together. Whether you are using pocket holes or traditional joinery, we will get into it!

Create Plans

The end goal isn't a great 3D model, it's a real piece of furniture. I'll walk you through how to take your model and create custom plans that include multiple views, dimensions and cut lists.

Create Cutting Layouts

When you're cutting parts out of stock a cutting helps to save material. We will go over a few ways you can create a custom one!

Create High Quality Renders

What will your finished piece look like? We will get into Fusion 360's rendering environment. You'll quickly be able to change materials and colors to create multiple versions for you and/or clients!

Make it Move

Drawers and doors can be pretty tricky in a static design. Sometimes it's hard to see how they will interact with your frame when they full extend and contract. We will cover how to use joints to test out the functional elements of your design.

Design Exploded Views

It's hard to visualize how things will go together. Enter exploded views. We will get into how to design them and use them inside of your plans!

Exclusive Online Community

You'll get access to a private section inside the Make or Break Shop Community that is just for the course. Get your questions answered, connect with other students and keep learning even after you finished with the course!

Check out the community!

Who Made This?

I'm Brandon Cullum, the creator of the Make or Break Shop (YouTube Channel) and the Make or Break Show (Podcast). I went to school for Aerospace Engineering where I was first exposed to 3D modeling and CAD. While in college I worked at General Electric Aircraft Engines and quickly saw the power of working digitally.

But I forgot most of that.

In reality I was looking for a way to build a kitchen table and wanted to figure out all the angles before I started cutting wood. Enter Fusion 360. I saw the power in the program and how it could do so much stuff outside of just modeling.

It was just hard to learn.

Fast forward through hours of YouTube tutorials and diving into forms. I figured out a process that works well for me (as well as learning lots of stuff I really didn't need to know) to design a table or dresser. I wanted to help other people skip the hours of Googling and distill it all down to JUST what you need.

And that's why I made this. So you can spend less time banging your head on a keyboard and more time making saw dust in the shop.

-Brandon

Included Projects

It has actually been super helpful in many ways, and I just love the way it helps me create more easily. I am no woodworker or expert at anything really. I am just making things that I am interested in and to have a tool that minimize the errors I usually make, well it gives me a boost of self confidence I guess and that makes me a better maker :)

Pierre "The Swedish Maker"

Module 1: The Basics

In this module we will go over the fundamentals of Fusion 360. From downloading the program to getting to the point where you are ready to create your first model.

Welcome!

4 mins
430 MB

Preview

Get support for your questions!

4 mins
364 MB

Join the Community

Download Fusion 360

2 mins
181 MB

Moving Around

5 mins
680 MB

Using the View Cube

2 mins
146 MB

The Component Tree

5 mins
574 MB

The Timeline

2 mins
188 MB

Module 2: Core Design Principles

In this module we will look at some of the core concepts and techniques that make Fusion 360 so powerful. This is like a 20,000 ft view to the process before we dive into the details.

Rule #1: Create a new component

3 mins
364 MB

Preview

Rule #2: Name Everything

2 mins
136 MB

Rule #3: Defining Parameters

4 mins
538 MB

Defining Parameters Retroactively

4 mins
314 MB

Rule 4: Constrain Sketches

4 mins
456 MB

Putting it all Together

3 mins
343 MB

Module 3: Basic Modeling - Farmhouse Table

Now that we've got the basics covered it's time to make our first 3D Model. Let's dive into making a farmhouse table.

Start with the sketch

12 mins
958 MB

Create 3D shapes

10 mins
1.11 GB

Create joinery

17 mins
1.84 GB

Apply material properities

3 mins
239 MB

Module 4: Creating Plans

Now that we have a 3D model it's time to connect it to a real-world situation. Lets make some plans!

Intro

1 min
104 MB

Creating a Cut Diagram Sketch

15 mins
1.72 GB

Using the Align Command in a Cut Diagram

6 mins
720 MB

Using Joints for a Cut Diagram

5 mins
694 MB

Creating a Cut Diagram with Dimensions

8 mins
365 MB

Creating a Cutlist

11 mins
749 MB

Creating callouts for Specific Features

6 mins
321 MB

Creating a Drawing Template

5 mins
319 MB

[BONUS] Using the NESTER script in a Cut Diagram

5 mins
672 MB

Module 5: Rendering

A quick look at how to make your models look great and export high resolution renders.

Rendering Intro

1 min
119 MB

Rendering Basics

13 mins
1.17 GB

Module 6: Mid Century Modern Credenza

Now that we've covered the fundamentals lets build Chris Salamone's Bad Larry (Four Eyes Furniture).

We will also cover basic joints for drawers and animations as well.

Intro

2 mins
53.1 MB

Preview

Setting Up Parameters

4 mins
168 MB

Initial Sketch

8 mins
734 MB

Constrained Sketch

8 mins
691 MB

Build the Top Components

11 mins
1.19 GB

Build the Base

13 mins
1.43 GB

Fixing the Frame

10 mins
1.33 GB

Build a Drawer

14 mins
1.74 GB

Joints: "Gluing" it together

9 mins
1.21 GB

Joints: Drawer Slide

4 mins
426 MB

Contact Sets to Limit Motion

3 mins
359 MB

Joint Limits

4 mins
481 MB

Building the Bottom Drawer

10 mins
1.29 GB

Fixing the Bottom Drawer

14 mins
1.87 GB

Rendering

10 mins
1.3 GB

Animation

9 mins
1020 MB

Module 7: Trebuchet

Let's build a trebuchet and take a quick look at linked joints.

Download the model here.

Introduction

1 min
26.2 MB

Preview

Trebuchet Example

3 mins
297 MB

Create the Frame and Throwing Arm

19 mins
2.59 GB

Build the Counterweight Box

12 mins
1.57 GB

Adding Linked Joints

10 mins
1.31 GB

Bonus: Build a Workbench

No shop would be complete without a traditional woodworking workbench. In this bonus module lets create a Roubo style workbench.

Note: This module is also available as a standalone course but is included in this one as well!

Create a Sketch

14 mins
140 MB

Build the Top

7 mins
760 MB

Build the Base

18 mins
1.83 GB

Build the Shelf

16 mins
1.69 GB

Shelf Fix

3 mins
307 MB

Width Fix

3 mins
324 MB

Create an End Cap

19 mins
1.64 GB

Create a Deadman

15 mins
1.19 GB

Create a Deadman Rail

6 mins
815 MB

Add Materials

2 mins
180 MB

Design Dog Hole Layout

18 mins
1.77 GB

Create Mounting Holes for a Vise

19 mins
1.49 GB

Survey

Please take the course survey

Student Projects

Check out the amazing things people modeled after going through the course!

I highly recommend the Fusion 360 class from Brandon at @makeorbreakshop. It helped me make this idea for an adjustable width tool charging station a reality. Here you can see the Fusion 360 model morph into the final product hanging on the wall. Brandon’s class is a great training and reference tool.

-Steve Moseley (Making at Home)

I enjoyed the course and plan on going back in soon and going through the bonus lessons. I like Fusion 360 better than Sketchup just need to get use to the work flow. The flow is fairly easy and your lessons took me from overwhelmed to feeling confident enough I could do a design to a workable state.

Richard Kinney

Before taking this course, I had only sat through an hour of YouTube tutorials on Fusion 360, and didn't feel very confident designing anything with it. The course did a great job of explaining everything necessary to make actual models, and it was awesome that it was geared towards woodworking since that's what I was planning to use it for. I have gone back and watched several of the modules a second or third time, and keep picking up tips and tricks that I missed the first time through.

Jason

The class was honestly amazing! I downloaded it before, tired it deleted it. I took another persons class and it got me started but it was still super hard. I took your class and I love it now!

Christian Sapp Woodworking

Don't just take my word for it...

As someone who’s never used a program like Fusion 360, I thought the course was very well organized! I really liked how you walked through simple things like how to download the program itself, what the view cube is, etc.

Jennie "Jennie and Davis"

My skills were lacking and it was because I jumped to trying to make advanced level s** and I missed the necessary building blocks. Now that I've learned the correct way it is sooooooo much easier for me to quickly model things as needed and make them scale.

Jonathan Katz-Moses

This course is perfect for someone who wants to learn Fusion 360. Brandon does an excellent job of teaching you everything you need to get started but not overloading you with everything at once. If you are looking to dive into Fusion I can’t recommend this course enough to get you started.

Matthew Vossler

I really like how you made it all modules where you can take a bite of knowledge and chew on it for a while before moving on to the next one. Great idea. Learning Fusion is like drinking from a firehouse so it’s good that you broke it up.

Drew Fisher

A quick introduction to Fusion 360, from designing your first basic table to a Modern Credenza media console. This course walks you through the design process as a woodworker. It takes you from concept to a set of printed plans ready for any DIYer.

Nick Cessac

If you're completely new to Fusion 360, like I was, then this course is worth the money and time. Brandon has laid out all of the necessary tools for you to get started designing quickly, efficiently, and effectively.

Josh Burr

It’s awesome. For whatever reason I’m understanding it in a way I didn’t before, which I think has to do with your approach to it. So thank you for that!

Caleb Harris "YCMT2"

Learning CAD for woodworking can seem like a monumental task at first. Brandon’s instruction of fusion 360 is incredibly easy to follow along step by step as he guides you through intelligent design.

Nick Anderson

You’re teaching a ton of great rules and best practices, which is much deeper than most software familiarity programs I’ve seen. You also explain why, which is good.

Davis "Jennie & Davis"

Good intro into Fusion360. Gives an overview of the common tools, different ways to use them, and some ideas on how the software can be useful in your projects.

Dave

Finally getting the hang of Fusion 360 🙌🏼 shoutout to @makeorbreakshop for the Fusion course.

Andrew "Agobuilds"

Very good course beginner and intermediate users alike. I think everyone will learn something from it.

Harlan

Overall I consider it all time and money well spent. It is such a thick program, but your calculated walk through it made it much more understandable and I think that as I spend a lot more time with it I will be able to make better designs to result in better builds.

John Johnson

If you don't like the course, I'll give you a full refund. No questions asked.

Here's the deal: if you don't like the course, I'll give you a full refund with 30 days. No questions asked. Period. But do me a favor: at least give it a shot first before asking for a refund.

FAQ's

When does the course start?

The course starts as soon as you sign up and you have access to all the lessons!

Can't I just find this all online for free?

Totally! Check out Lars Christensen on YouTube, he puts out some of the best Fusion 360 content on the web. The value of the course is in the process. This is specifically designed for woodworkers and makers. Fusion 360 is a HUGE program, but we will just focus on the elements that will help you get a design out of your head and into the shop as fast as possible.

How much does Fusion 360 Cost?

Fusion 360 is free for hobbyists and businesses making less than $100,000 per year in gross annual revenue. Check out the specifics here to make sure you qualify.

What if I want a refund?

Thats totally fine. If this isn't the right fit I'll issue a full refund.

Why not just use Sketchup?

Sketchup is great, it is actually what I first used when I started with creating models of builds in 3D. But Fusion 360 is a lot more powerful and gives you the ability to do more with the models you create. I did a video comparing the two if you want more details.

How long will I have access to the course?

For all time! Since this is just the first version you will also have access to all future versions and additions that are put out.

What about CAM and CNC?

I've created a course specifically for CAM and CNC that goes way deeper into that I could in this course. Check it out here. You can also bundle both courses together here.

I've still got questions

Feel free to reach out to me at brandon@makeorbreakshop.com!

Will I get access to the course all at once?

Yep! You will get all modules and all lessons as soon as you sign up. Plus access to any future updates and additions to the course.

Ready to Get Started Making Furniture in Fusion 360?

Buy the Course Now!

My name is Brandon.

I love to build things, especially with robots. From CNC Routers, 3D Printers, Vinyl Cutters, Robot arms and lasers I'll cover all of it. Check out my latest laser reviews and projects on YouTube!

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