Learn to Design for 3D Printing with Autodesk Fusion
Even If You’ve Never Designed Anything Before
This Course Is for You If...
- You enjoy learning by building real things, not watching abstract demos or long menu explanations
- Want a structured, start-to-finish learning path
- You’ve tried Fusion but felt overwhelmed or “stuck in beginner mode”
- You own a 3D printer but mostly download models from the internet
If any of this sounds familiar, you’re in the right place:
- I’ve been watching YouTube videos for years, but they jump around and leave out details
- TinkerCAD was great… until it wasn’t
- Fusion felt powerful, but confusing and frustrating
- I had ideas in my head, but no clear path to get them into a printable file
-
Feeling stuck between beginner tools and advanced software, unsure how to move forward without getting overwhelmed
How This Works
Go at your own pace as I guide you in designing your own mini town. We’ll start with a simple house where we’ll cover basic 2D and 3D tools. Learn the basics of turning your 2D sketches into 3D shapes.
We then proceed to designing trees, a lamppost, a clocktower, a town hall and more. Each new model will be a vehicle to learning new tools and design techniques. I’ll slowly introduce new concepts with each design including Revolves, Sweeps, Lofts, Patterns, Mirrors, and much more. You’ll learn by doing guaranteeing that it sticks. Get ready to learn a ton and have fun — each module adds something new to your town.
A Course Built to Get you Results
Instead of bouncing between random examples, you’ll:
- Work through complete projects from start to finish
-
Learn why each design decision is made
-
Build skills that stack naturally instead of feeling disconnected
By the end of Foundations of 3D Design, you’ll be able to:
- Design your own 3D printable parts from scratch
- Create clean, fully constrained sketches
- Modify designs confidently without breaking them
- Understand the logic behind Fusion tools
- Turn ideas in your head into printable files
Why Students Prefer the
Desktop Makes Method
- clear explanations
- thoughtful pacing
- complete projects
- responsiveness and support
- learning why, not just how
Many had tried other courses before — this was the one that made them feel confident enough to keep going
Students range from retirees and hobbyists to professionals, educators, and makerspace members — all with one thing in common: they want a structured, easy to follow learning path that gives them the necessary skills to design and “get their ideas out of their heads."
Ready to Design Your Own Parts?
If you’re tired of piecing together tutorials…
If you want a clear, complete path forward…
If you’re ready to stop relying on downloading alone and start designing your own models
What Students Say About My Teaching
“This course finally helped me see the big picture in Fusion 360. Instead of disjointed tutorials, it gave me a solid foundation to build real designs with confidence.” - Tom
“Clear, informative, and engaging—even for someone over 70. This course made learning and experimenting with design enjoyable and accessible.” - Roy
“After years of self-teaching from YouTube and other platforms, this course helped me truly understand and refine my Fusion 360 skills. It’s taught with a real maker’s mindset.” - Verone
“Even as a non-beginner, I picked up important tips and techniques I hadn’t seen before. The teaching style is clear and effective.” - Robert
“I learned so many useful techniques I would never have figured out on my own. Highly practical and well taught.” - Jackie
“Exactly what I needed to gain a better understanding of Fusion 360.” - Dean
Frequently Asked Questions
What 3D design software are we using and will I have to pay for it?
We’ll be using Autodesk Fusion. They offer a free personal license that you can download and use for this course. I explain how to get the free license. There is no limit on how long you can use the free license for personal hobby use.
I’m a complete beginner when it comes to 3D design, is this course right for me?
Yes, this course assumes no prior experience with 3D design. Whether you’ve dabbled with Fusion before or you’re a complete newbie you’ll find this course very valuable.
What is the return policy?
If you’re not satisfied with the content then simply contact me within 15 days and I’ll give you a full refund.
How long do I have access to the course content?
Once enrolled in the course you have lifetime access to the course content including future updates made to the course.
What if I don’t currently have a 3D printer?
You don’t need to have a 3D printer to take part in this course. There are many libraries and makerspaces that provide access to 3D printers in order to print your part. There are also online 3D printing services that you can use. The skills learned in this course can also be used for other digital fabrication tools such as laser cutters and CNC routers.
How long is the Course?
The total length of the course if you were to play the video from start to end is 4 hours and 42 minutes. There are a total of 12 models we design together.
Meet Your Instructor
Vladimir has taught thousands of students how to create their own 3D models in Autodesk Fusion through his popular online courses and educational content.
He previously led the creation and operation of a college makerspace, where he spent seven years building the program and teaching students how to turn their designs into real objects through 3D printing, laser cutting, and CNC milling. He is also a co-founder of a community makerspace and continues to be actively involved in maker education.
His work has been featured by Adafruit, Thingiverse, Hackaday, Makezine, Instructables, Shapeways, and Autodesk.
Course Contents
- 1.1 Welcome (1:10)
- 1.2 Download Autodesk Fusion (2:13)
- 1.3 Mac vs PC (0:37)
- 1.4 Fusion User Interface (6:56)
- 1.5 Thinking in 3D (2:35)
- 1.6 Set Up Fusion: Units & Preferences (3:09)
- 1.7 Overview of 2D Design and Creating 3D Shapes (5:40)
- 1.8 Navigation (1:52)
- 1.9 Managing Editable Designs with the Free License (6:54)
- 5.1 - Create Land Tile and Road Layout (3:23)
- 5.2 - Pattern Lane Markings with Rectangular Pattern (Sketch Mode) (3:53)
- 5.3 - Design and Center a Crosswalk Using Smart Dimensions (4:10)
- 5.4 - Lay Out the Railroad Corridor and First Tie in Sketch (2:49)
- 5.5 - Extrude the Land, Road, Stripes, and Rails into Separate Bodies (4:34)
- 5.6 - Pattern Railroad Ties in 3D and Merge with the Combine Tool (5:42)
- 5.7 - Add Corner Fillets (1:17)
- 5.8 - Color the Scene and Finalize the Model (4:46)
- 6.1 - Sketch and Revolve the Water Tower Tank (3:42)
- 6.2 - Use the Sweep and Pattern tool to Create Support Columns (4:42)
- 6.3 - Strengthen the Tower with Cross Braces (2:48)
- 6.4 - Add a Base and Merge the Structures (2:20)
- 6.5 - Add Tank Bands by Editing the Original Sketch (2:27)
- 6.6 - Using the Emboss Tool to Add Town Name to Water Tower (5:45)
- 7.1.1 - Lofting Circles to Create the Trunk (3:12)
- 7.1.2 - Sketch and Revolve the Tree Top (3:33)
- 7.1.3 Splitting the Model for 3D Printing (4:07)
- 7.2.1 - Lofting Between Different Shapes: Hexagon, Pentagon, Octogon (4:21)
- 7.2.2 - Rotating Profiles to Change the Shape (4:06)
- 7.3.1 - Using Splines to Create a More Organic Trunk (3:24)
- 7.3.2 - Adding Spline Guide Rails (2:59)
- 7.3.3 - Advanced Lofting (4:13)
- 9.1 Create the Walls and Tapered Roof (2:09)
- 9.2 Design the Front Steps (2:24)
- 9.3 Designing & Revolving a Classical Column, Then Mirroring It (4:26)
- 9.4 Tangent Plane and Covered Portico Design (3:54)
- 9.5 Gable Details and Clock (5:24)
- 9.6 Thin Extrude for more Details (1:38)
- 9.7 Designing the Door and Windows (3:28)
- 9.8 Extruding and Doors and Windows and the Mirror Tool (2:52)
- 9.9 Copying and Pasting a Sketch, Circular Pattern (3:34)
- 9.10 Extrude Door and add Base Trim (2:47)
- 10.1 Clock Tower Front: Arched Windows and Clock (5:38)
- 10.2 Building the Upper Tower (3:13)
- 10.3 Extrude to Object and Loft to a Point (3:58)
- 10.4 Extruding Door, Arched Windows, and Clock Details (1:35)
- 10.5 Axis Perpendicular to Face at Point (3:09)
- 10.6 Brick Entry with Pattern on Path (4:47)
- 10.7 Making the Brick Facade (3:37)
- 10.8 Manually "Weather" the Tower with scattered Bricks using Move/Copy (4:27)
- 10.9 Circular Pattern Bricks on Each Side (4:26)
- 10.10 Fixing Timeline Errors (6:46)
- 11.1 Train Profile, Door, Window, Fully Constrain Sketch (4:20)
- 11.2 Mirror Features, Design Train Roof (3:17)
- 11.3 Modeling the Boiler (3:05)
- 11.4 Designing the Front Grill with the Slot Tool and Rectangular Pattern (3:03)
- 11.5 Design the Wheels and Fully Constrain Sketch (3:21)
- 11.6 Extrude and Mirror Wheels (1:36)
- 11.7 Create the Wheel Axels (2:51)
- 11.8 Add Modeled Threads using the Thread Tool (2:42)
- 11.9 Using the Section Analysis tool to Inspect Parts (4:47)
- 11.10 Adding Clearance to Threads (2:01)
- 11.11 Add Clearance between Shaft and Train Body (2:15)
- 11.12 Smokestack Design Challenge (1:13)
- 11.13 Design the SmokeStack (7:31)
- 11.14 Congratulations (1:12)