Episode 20: The evolving role of 3D printing in CAD, Tinkercad and Fusion360 from Autodesk

Matt Griffin sits with Guillermo Melantoni to discuss the evolution of Tinkercad, Autodesk’s groundbreaking software that has introduced 3D design to millions of users. Guillermo has worked with Autodesk since 2006, evangelizing, implementing, and training with most of the company’s disciplines, with a particular focus on Building Information Modeling and Design Visualization. In 2008, Guillermo became Product Manager for AutoCAD, before moving to platform work around interoperability. He spent the next four years creating consumer products, including the 123D line, Meshmixer, and Tinkercad. Two years ago, Tinkercad moved into the Fusion 360 family, and Guillermo added the Fusion 360 desktop platform and Education to his duties – while remaining a lead for Tinkercad. 

In the first half of this episode, Guillermo reveals how 3D printing is playing new and expanded roles in how students, designers, and engineers solve problems, create prototypes, and develop skills.  

In the second half, Matt is joined by two other guests to expand the discussion to Autodesk Fusion 360 as well: Fusion 360 community manager Jonathan Odom, followed by Additive Manufacturing consultant and Autodesk superuser Steve Cox (a repeat guest on our show!). They discuss how increased capabilities of 3D printers and 3D materials has made this technology an ideal match for designers and engineers as they produce functional parts, perform technical studies – and even take these new parts and projects to production and manufacturing.

BONUS SEGMENT: Stick around to meet Erik Cederberg from 3DVerkstan, a highlight from the 2020 Ultimaker Innovators list!