Where to find and change your Fusion 360 add-on

Fusion 360 add-ons live in the Extensions menu at the top of your workspace. Click Extensions, then look for the add-on you want to switch to — it will be listed there with a checkbox next to it. If the checkbox is empty, the add-on is off. Click the name to turn it on, or click the checkbox itself to toggle it. The add-on loads when ready and you can start using it right away.

If you do not see the add-on you are looking for in the Extensions menu, it may not be installed yet. Fusion 360 comes with some add-ons already built in — like the Nesting add-on for sheet metal layout and the CAM add-on for toolpath generation — but others must be downloaded from the Autodesk App Store first.

The Extensions menu also shows you which add-ons are currently active. A checked box means the add-on is running and its tools are available in your workspace. An unchecked box means it is installed but turned off, so its tools will not appear in your menus or toolbars.

Key Takeaways

  • Add-ons are toggled on and off through the Extensions menu at the top of Fusion 360, and changes take effect when ready.
  • Built-in add-ons like CAM and Nesting are already installed, but third-party add-ons must be downloaded from the Autodesk App Store first.
  • Turning an add-on off removes its tools from your workspace but does not uninstall it, so you can turn it back on anytime.
  • Some add-ons require a restart of Fusion 360 to fully load, though most set up without closing the program.

Installing a new add-on before you can switch to it

If the add-on you want is not in your Extensions menu, you need to install it first. Open Fusion 360 and click Extensions at the top. Look for a button or link that says "Get More Add-Ons" or "Browse Add-Ons" — the exact wording changes with Fusion 360 updates, but it is always near the top of the Extensions menu. Click it to open the Autodesk App Store in your web browser.

Search for the add-on by name in the App Store. When you find it, click the button to install it — usually labeled "Install" or "Get". You will be asked to sign in with your Autodesk account if you are not already signed in. After installation, close the App Store tab and return to Fusion 360. The add-on should now appear in your Extensions menu, ready to turn on.

Some add-ons require you to restart Fusion 360 before they show up in the Extensions menu. If you install an add-on and do not see it after a few seconds, close Fusion 360 completely and open it again. The add-on will be there when the program loads.

Turning off an add-on you do not need right now

If you have an add-on installed but do not use it often, turning it off clears clutter from your menus and toolbars without removing it from your computer. Open Extensions, find the add-on name, and click the checkbox next to it to uncheck it. The add-on is now off, and its tools will disappear from your workspace within a few seconds.

Turning an add-on off does not delete it or change any of your files. You can turn it back on anytime by clicking Extensions and checking the box again. This is different from uninstalling, which removes the add-on from your computer entirely — turning off is temporary and reversible.

What to do if an add-on does not appear in the Extensions menu

If you installed an add-on but it still does not show up in Extensions after restarting Fusion 360, the installation may have failed or the add-on may not be compatible with your version of Fusion 360. Check the Autodesk App Store page for that add-on and look for system requirements — it will list which versions of Fusion 360 it works with.

If your version matches the requirements, try uninstalling and reinstalling the add-on. In the App Store, find the add-on again and look for an "Uninstall" button or option. Click it, wait a few seconds, then install it again. Return to Fusion 360 and restart the program. The add-on should load on startup.

If the add-on still does not appear, the add-on itself may have a bug or may require additional setup steps. Check the add-on's documentation or support page — usually linked from the App Store listing — for troubleshooting steps specific to that tool.

Switching between multiple add-ons in the same workspace

You can have multiple add-ons turned on at the same time. Open Extensions and check the boxes for every add-on you want to use in your current project. All of them will load and their tools will be available in your menus and toolbars simultaneously. This is useful when you are working on a design that needs CAM, Nesting, and a third-party simulation tool all at once.

Having many add-ons on at the same time can slow Fusion 360 down slightly, especially on older computers. If you notice the program is running slowly, turn off add-ons you are not actively using. You can turn them back on later without losing any work.

Restarting Fusion 360 to reset add-on problems

If an add-on is behaving strangely — tools are missing, buttons do not respond, or the add-on crashes — close Fusion 360 completely and open it again. This reloads all add-ons from scratch and usually fixes temporary glitches. Save your work first, then close the program using File > Exit (or Cmd+Q on Mac), wait a few seconds, and open Fusion 360 again.

If restarting does not fix the problem, try turning the add-on off in Extensions, restarting Fusion 360, and then turning it back on. This forces a clean reload of just that add-on without affecting the others.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use multiple add-ons at the same time?

Yes. Open Extensions and check the boxes for every add-on you want active. All of them will load and their tools will be available in your workspace at once. You can switch between them without turning any off.

Does turning off an add-on delete my files or settings?

No. Turning an add-on off only hides its tools from your workspace. Your files, designs, and all your work remain unchanged. You can turn the add-on back on anytime and everything will be exactly as you left it.

What is the difference between turning off an add-on and uninstalling it?

Turning off hides the add-on's tools but keeps it installed on your computer. Uninstalling removes it completely. If you think you might use an add-on again, turn it off instead of uninstalling — you can turn it back on when ready without downloading it again.

Why does an add-on I installed not show up in the Extensions menu?

The installation may have failed, or the add-on may not be compatible with your version of Fusion 360. Check the Autodesk App Store page for system requirements, then try uninstalling and reinstalling the add-on. Restart Fusion 360 after reinstalling.

Do I need to restart Fusion 360 every time I turn an add-on on or off?

No. Most add-ons load or unload when ready when you check or uncheck them in the Extensions menu. A few add-ons require a restart, but Fusion 360 will tell you if one does. In most cases, you can switch add-ons without closing the program.