Your First Part in Fusion: Sketch, Extrude, and Edit with the Timeline

In this tutorial you will make a basic rectangular block with rounded edges and one through-hole—the kind of starter part that later becomes a spacer, stop, or mount blank. Autodesk’s own learning materials teach this exact pattern: sketch → extrude → fillet → edit through the Timeline.

You only need the Design workspace. If Fusion opens in another workspace, switch to Design before you begin.

In Design, choose Create Sketch. Autodesk’s beginner sketch guide says Fusion will ask you to select a plane or planar face. For a first part, pick one of the origin planes (XY, YZ, or XZ).

Once the sketch environment opens, you will see sketch tools (Line, Rectangle, Circle, Arc), the origin/grid, and the sketch palette for constraints. Autodesk notes that sketches are the foundation of Fusion designs: a clean 2D sketch makes later 3D features predictable.

Use Two-Point Rectangle and draw a rectangle near the origin. Then press D (or choose Sketch > Dimension) and dimension the width and height to exact values—for example 60 mm by 40 mm, or 2.5 in by 1.5 in if you work in inches.

Autodesk’s sketch guidance explains that dimensions make the sketch parametric, so later changes update the model. Also apply basic constraints (Horizontal/Vertical, Equal, Parallel) from the sketch palette so the rectangle does not drift when you edit numbers.

Aim for a fully constrained sketch (Fusion typically shows this in the sketch status). Fully constrained sketches are easier to edit later, which is exactly what beginners need when a part does not fit on the first try.

Click Finish Sketch to return to the 3D environment. Then open Solid > Create > Extrude. Autodesk’s Extrude help explains that Extrude creates a solid body from a sketch profile or face.

Select your closed rectangle profile. Set Extent Type to Distance and enter a thickness—for example 12 mm or 0.5 in. Keep Operation on New Body for this first part. Click OK.

You now have a solid body. Autodesk documents additional Extrude options (Join, Cut, To Object, taper), but beginners should master Distance + New Body first before using Cut or Join on more complex parts.

Create a new sketch on the top face of the block. Draw a Center Diameter Circle where you want a hole, dimension the diameter (for example 6 mm / 0.25 in), Finish Sketch, then Extrude with Operation set to Cut and Extent set to All (or a distance that fully clears the part).

Next, use Fillet on the top outer edges with a small radius (1–3 mm or about 1/16–1/8 in). Autodesk’s beginner Extrude/Fillet/Timeline course pairs fillets with early solid modeling because sharp corners are often the first thing you soften for comfort, printing, or machining.

Look at the Timeline at the bottom of the canvas. Autodesk teaches that Extrude, Fillet, and other features are recorded there so you can edit earlier steps and have later geometry update.

Double-click the Extrude feature (or right-click > Edit Feature) and change the thickness. Watch the hole and fillets update with the new height when the feature chain allows it. Then edit a sketch dimension and Finish Sketch—your part should rebuild to the new size.

This is parametric modeling in plain language: change the driving numbers, not a pile of disconnected solids. Autodesk’s beginner materials emphasize construction geometry, constraints, and timeline edits for exactly this reason.

Repeat the same workflow for a second part: a clamp pad, a small hose-clamp tab, or a probe-holder blank. Keep each design under five features until the sketch → extrude → edit loop feels automatic.

When your Fusion practice turns into real CNC accessories, pair the CAD skill with reliable shop workholding and dust control—items like clamps, clamp steps, probe holders, and hose mounts from the Kolton Kraft CNC Tools collection.