Parametric Export for Fusion 360

This Fusion 360 script, ParametricExport.py, allows you to automate the process of exporting multiple variations of your parametric designs. Instead of manually changing parameters and exporting STL files one by one, you can define all desired variations in a simple JSON configuration file and let the script do the work for you.

Features

• Configuration-Driven: Define all your export variations in a simple, human-readable JSON file. No need to edit the Python script for new projects.
• Batch Processing: Iterates through every possible combination of the parameters you specify.
• Dynamic File Naming: Automatically generates descriptive filenames based on the parameters used for each variant.
• Folder Grouping: Automatically organizes exported files into subdirectories based on the parameters of your choosing.
• User-Friendly: A progress bar keeps you informed of the export status and allows you to cancel the operation at any time.

How to Use

1. Open Your Design: Open the Fusion 360 design you wish to export.
2. Run the Script: In Fusion 360, go to the UTILITIES tab and select Scripts and Add-Ins. Click the Add button (the green +), navigate to the ParametricExport.py file, and click Run.
3. Select Configuration: A file dialog will appear. Select the JSON configuration file that defines the exports you want to perform (e.g., handle_config.json).
4. Export: The script will begin processing all the variants defined in your file. A progress bar will show the status.
5. Done: Once complete, all your exported STL files will be in the output directory (or the directory specified in your config), neatly organized.

The JSON Configuration File

The power of this script lies in the JSON configuration file. Here is a breakdown of its structure.

Top-Level Keys

• outputDirectory: (String) The name of the folder where the exported files will be saved.
• bodiesToExport: (List of Strings) A list of the exact names of the bodies you want to export.
• exportOptions: (Object, Optional) A powerful section to control the export format and naming.
• parametersToIterate: (Object) An object where you define the User Parameters from your Fusion 360 design that you want to change.

exportOptions Object (New in v2)

This optional object gives you fine-grained control over the output.

• fileType: (String | String[], Optional) The type of file to export. Can be a single string or an array of strings (e.g., ["STL", "STEP"]). Supported values are "STL", "STEP", and "IGES". Defaults to "STL".
• stlQuality: (String, Optional) The mesh quality for STL exports. Supported values are "High", "Medium", and "Low". Defaults to "Medium".
• fileNameTemplate: (String, Optional) A template for the output filename. You can use placeholders that correspond to the parameter names in your design.
  • {bodyName}: The name of the body being exported.
  • {YourParameterName}: The value of a specific parameter for that variant (e.g., {Size}, {Thickness}).
  • {params}: A default, auto-generated string of all parameter values (e.g., Size_2-Thickness_5).
• forceRecompute: (Boolean, Optional) If true, the script will force Fusion 360 to recompute the entire model after changing parameters for each variant. This ensures complex changes are captured but can be disabled for faster exports on simple models. Defaults to true.

parametersToIterate Object

Each key in this object must match the exact name of a User Parameter in your Fusion 360 design (e.g., "Thickness"). The value for each key is another object with the following properties:

• variants: (List of Numbers/Strings) A list of all the values you want to assign to this parameter. The script will iterate through each of these.
• grouping: (Boolean, Optional) If you set this to true, this parameter will be used to create a subfolder in the output directory. Defaults to false.

Sample Configurations

The sample-config directory provides examples for different use cases.

gridfinityHandles.json

This file is a good example of a complex, multi-parameter export.

• Exports: Both STL and STEP files for each variant of a parametric handle.
• Grouping: Creates a combined folder for each Size and HandleWidth pair (e.g., export/Size-2-HandleWidth-16).
• Filename: Generates a detailed filename from multiple parameters, like: Handle-s2-a105-th5mm-w16mm.stl.

{
  "outputDirectory": "export",
  "exportOptions": {
    "fileType": ["STL", "STEP"],
    "stlQuality": "High",
    "fileNameTemplate": "{bodyName}_size-{Size}_angle-{HandleAngle}_thick-{Thickness}mm_width-{HandleWidth}mm",
    "forceRecompute": true
  },
  "bodiesToExport": [
    "Handle",
    "Handle-wScrewHole"
  ],
  "parametersToIterate": {
    "Size": {
      "variants": [2, 3, 4, 5],
      "grouping": true
    },
    "HandleAngle": {
      "variants": [105, 115, 125, 135]
    },
    "HandleWidth": {	
      "variants": [16, 23],
      "grouping": true
    },
    "Thickness": {
      "variants": [5, 7, 9]
    }
  }
}

gridfinityUnderDeskDrawers.json

This file demonstrates a simpler, single-parameter export.

• Exports: STEP files for a parametric drawer.
• Grouping: Creates a folder for each COLUMNS value (e.g., drawer-exports/COLUMNS-2).
• Filename: Generates a name based on the body and the parameter, like Drawer-c2.step.
• Example Path: drawer-exports/COLUMNS-2/Drawer-Button-c2.step

{
  "outputDirectory": "drawer-exports",
  "exportOptions": {
    "fileType": "STEP",
    "fileNameTemplate": "{bodyName} with {COLUMNS}x4 baseplate",
    "forceRecompute": true
  },
  "bodiesToExport": [
    "Drawer",
    "Drawer-Button",
    "Drawer-Handle"
  ],
  "parametersToIterate": {
    "COLUMNS": {
      "variants": [1, 2, 3, 4, 5],
      "grouping": true
    }
  }
}