Join AWS to learn how AWS and Autodesk are collaborating to change the design and engineering landscape. This session will explore how AWS-Autodesk are better together, our recent developments including expanded regional availability for improved data residency & performance, practical Gen AI applications in everyday workflows, and new integrations that streamline common tasks. Through concrete examples, learn how these capabilities can benefit your teams and projects. Whether you're new to cloud integration or looking to optimize your existing workflows, this session will help you understand the available tools and opportunities. Includes demonstrations of selected features and real-world use cases.

What’s the difference between topology optimization and generative design—and why does it matter when building advanced components? In this hands-on lab, we’ll explore the tools and workflows that helped Elara Aerospace design a launch-ready, record-breaking rocket built to survive the extreme forces of spaceflight. You’ll follow guided exercises in Autodesk Fusion software, learning how to harness both generative design and topology optimization to reduce mass, increase strength, and improve overall performance under tight constraints. We’ll walk through how to define loads, constraints, and materials. We’ll cover how to interpret and compare outcomes. And we’ll explore post-process geometry for manufacturability. You’ll gain practical experience in setting up a generative design study, comparing it with topology optimization, and understanding when and why each approach is appropriate. By the end, you’ll understand the theory—and have built and optimized a component for spaceflight-level performance.

There is no single way to design a new product. The design principles needed to manufacture a coffee maker will be different from those needed for an electric vehicle. So, why can’t today’s software tools adapt to meet designers' needs? Generative AI may offer a path forward to enabling product designers to adopt agile and adaptive design workflows and support the design of complex assemblies. In this interactive session, we’ll take an in-depth look at an early-stage software prototype for AI-assisted assembly design, developed by Autodesk Research. Participants will gain insights into how the researchers used large language models (LLMs), multimodal data, and system modeling to design products from 1D to 3D. Join us if you’re a product designer, software engineer, or UX designer interested in advancing your understanding of assembly design and learning how this new innovative technology can shape the future of Design and Make industries.

In the world of engineering and design, speed and precision are crucial. Whether you’re working on complex mechanical systems, architectural plans, or intricate product designs, the time it takes to create and modify engineering drawings can make or break a project. This session will address both efficiency and faster, accuracy-creating engineering drawings in Autodesk Fusion software. We’ll explore the following innovative solutions/workflows and time-saving best practices that will help you accelerate your drawing process in Fusion: The power of Drawing Automation, Integration, & Customization, smart usage of drawing templates, techniques to speed up dimensioning and annotation, the magic of “shift” button in the Fusion Drawings, hidden gems “osnaps,” cut-copy-paste in Fusion Drawings, more than “just” a sheet bar, reusing title blocks across drawings, and many more. The goal of this session is to empower you with the knowledge to work smarter, not harder, and make your engineering drawing process more efficient and effective using Fusion.

In this session, we will travel on the journey of how students and staff at NYU created Project Mjolnir: the world’s first open-source, adaptive mountain bike to enable those with disabilities to participate in the sport of adaptive mountain biking. We’ll look at how we help students develop industry skills through experience-based learning, the methodologies we use, and the outcomes we produce with a project that goes beyond the boundaries of the university. The team has built and ridden more than 20 adaptive mountain bikes in different parts of the world, enabling people with disabilities to experience the outdoors in ways they never thought they could. Incorporating design to accommodate off-the-shelf bicycle components, an adaptable frame design, and the ability to self-build the bike, we aim to drive down the cost to a third of current offerings—as well as empower and grow a community of adaptive bike builders through educational experience-based learning.

Everywhere you look within Autodesk University, from mainstage to industry keynotes, everyone is talking about Autodesk Fusion software. You've heard how it’s Autodesk’s design and manufacturing platform and that it’s growing faster than any other software in the industry. But you likely still wonder what it’s like to actually use it. Fusion must be something truly special to make everyone so obsessed with this CAD/CAM tool, right? In this AU hands-on lab, you'll experience firsthand what the fuss is all about. Through hands-on exercises, learn how to create a design from scratch, analyze that design, and even optimize it. Then, you'll learn how to program your design for computer numerical control (CNC) milling so you can turn your idea into a reality. You heard that Fusion is the complete end-to-end solution, but now you'll have the opportunity to experience it in action, guided by a team of experts. If you're curious about Fusion, but have never tried it yourself, this beginner-friendly lab is for you!

When friends reminisce about the 70s, 80s, and 90s, receiving a musical greeting card for their birthdays was truly a joyful experience. Gently unfolding the paper card to hear the Happy Birthday song was a simple yet delightful pleasure. Even after the birthday, revisiting the heartfelt wishes written by friends while listening to the melody brought back cherished memories, often accompanied by a smile. These moments are among the beautiful memories of that era. Inspired by these nostalgic thoughts, why not create a DIY mini rabbit bell and bring it back to home to share with others about the special moment from Autodesk University? Fusion is excellent for seamless integration of MCAD and ECAD. In this 90-minute class, you will craft your very own Rabbit Bell from scratch using Fusion. You could bring one Rabbit Bell PCB board back to home.

Get started with the brand new Assembly Constraints experience in Autodesk Fusion. This short and snappy session will teach you how to set up and use constraints to assemble components efficiently. You'll learn the key methods for creating constraint connections between components to speed up your assembly workflows. We'll cover real-world examples from industries like consumer products, highlighting the versatility and power of Fusion Constraints in different contexts. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced user, this class will equip you with the essential skills needed to master Fusion Constraints. Don't miss out on the chance to learn how to use this brand new Fusion feature in your workflows.

Discover how to seamlessly integrate ideation powered by artificial intelligence (AI) into your Autodesk Fusion 360 design workflow. This session will explore a dynamic, iterative process using generative AI platforms like Vizcom and GPT-4o to rapidly generate, refine, and visualize diverse form variations directly from your Fusion 360 models. Learn practical methods for exporting your designs, using AI-driven form exploration, and then effectively reimporting enhanced concepts back into Fusion 360 for further refinement. Unlock greater creativity, accelerate your iteration cycles, and elevate your design innovation by strategically combining Autodesk’s powerful CAD capabilities with advanced AI tools.

Interested in catching up on improvements made to Autodesk Fusion this year? Looking to take full advantage of Fusion software’s end-to-end platform capabilities? Join us for a chance to catch up on everything that’s changed in the last 12 months. You'll have an opportunity to discover new and exciting capabilities, see firsthand how customers are succeeding with this new functionality, and find out how the Fusion platform can unlock powerful new workflows. Learn more about unlocking advanced designs, manufacturing more-complex components with a focus on data at the center.

This award-winning panel is back again with new topics to discuss and insights to share. This year, the panel will comprise a diverse group of CAD managers who are widely respected as leaders in their field. They will focus on connectivity, which can mean many things to a CAD manager. Topics will range from technology and data to the even more challenging human aspects of teams and workflows. Hear their unique perspective and learn about solutions to challenges faced by CAD managers from organizations of all sizes and backgrounds. Join us for a panel discussion that has become an anticipated AU tradition. You won’t want to miss this chance to hear the important lessons learned from decades of experience—from four CAD managers who have been there and done that.

Using Autodesk Fusion software for rapid PCB design, the E-Tech team at Ford Design is creating modular system components to streamline development and reduce wiring complexity. By embracing PCB basics, design rules, and community resources, we're building reusable libraries and integrating program-specific features in our experiential properties around the globe. This approach enables faster prototyping, repeatable builds, and enhanced system continuity—with ESP32-based modules featuring Ethernet for server communication. We're focused on adaptable form factors and making PCB design accessible for makers and rapid iteration.

This session will explore a practical, classroom-tested workflow for integrating advanced electronics and mechanical design using Autodesk Fusion software. Using a mechatronics case study—a Raspberry Pi Pico-controlled NERF turret—you'll learn to streamline multidisciplinary design, enhance collaboration, and prevent integration challenges. See how Fusion can simplify electronics PCB and mechanical design integration, optimize prototyping, and support real-world educational outcomes. Gain practical methods for improving your electronics-mechanical workflow efficiency.

Sit down with the Inventor product team and discuss your most-pressing issues, concerns, and questions about Inventor. A number of Inventor team members will be available to answer your questions. What are the best practices for maximizing your Inventor use? How are Inventor projects prioritized and chosen for each release? Where is Inventor going in the near future? Model States, BIM workflows, Drawings, Sheet Metal, Autodesk Fusion vs. Inventor—all your favorite topics will be open for discussion.

The manufacturing industry finds itself at a pivotal juncture. Accounting for 20% of global carbon emissions and 54% of the world's energy usage, the sector also confronts mounting regulatory pressures, consumer demands, and volatile energy prices. All manufacturers increasingly need a sustainability strategy. However, for many companies the path toward truly sustainable manufacturing remains complex and challenging. What tangible actions and innovative tools, technologies, and processes can manufacturers use from cradle to grave to drastically reduce their environmental impacts, while simultaneously improving productivity and profitability? Join key industry players, including Xometry and Gravity, to learn how manufacturers can drive measurable sustainability gains while boosting competitiveness. Our panelists will highlight innovative technologies, including Autodesk MSI, that manufacturers can adopt to drive emissions and cost reductions.

Difficult and costly importation of equipment. Lack of customized parts. Unavailable spare parts, especially in the remote areas where supply chains may be disrupted. These are some of the daily challenges faced by the staff of MSF (Médecins Sans Frontières—Doctors Without Borders). The 3D Printing for All project aims to democratize access to 3D printing and solve some of those challenges by getting 3D printing in MSF's projects, and developing procedures and guidelines on how to use it safely and efficiently. Describing design needs, context, and technical parameters for a CAD expert to make a design is critical to the production of the products that solve problems in the field. For the most part, the people who have the problems to solve do not have engineering backgrounds—and yet they have to provide precise information. Throughout the implementation of the project, we've experienced this communication gap, learned valuable lessons on how to minimize the number of iterations, and saved material and time involved in putting a product in use.

More than 80% of Autodesk customers have said they're prioritizing climate action as a top UN Sustainability Goal. However, they're facing practical obstacles, such as navigating the maze of data collection to the hurdles of interoperability and nuanced analysis. Join this panel discussion with sustainability tech partners Oris, EHDD, One Click LCA, and SimaPro as they discuss how technology enables customers to achieve sustainable outcomes even amid these challenges. By showcasing real-world examples and sharing insights, they'll illustrate how innovative solutions can pave the way for transformative change, even in the face of daunting data obstacles. Join us as we discuss the evolving landscape where sustainability and technology converge. Discover the emerging trends and innovations that promise to reshape the way we approach sustainability in architecture, engineering, construction, and manufacturing. Together, we'll navigate the complexities, uncover opportunities, and catalyze a data-driven shift toward a greener tomorrow.

The transformations taking place in design and manufacturing continue to create huge opportunities for businesses to rethink how they work. Technologies like artificial intelligence are helping businesses improve their productivity and unlock the data at their disposal to create competitive advantage. In our Design & Manufacturing Keynote, Autodesk leaders will detail important updates to Autodesk Fusion and our product portfolio, as well as highlight how customers are leveraging our technology to achieve better outcomes. Join us to learn how Autodesk is partnering with our customers to support them in Making the Future!

Join Mika Kazassoglou—an 18-year-old high school student from Liverpool, England—in exploring the use of software such as Autodesk Fusion, Revit, Autodesk CFD, and Dynamo to craft a unique solution for a local housing project. This session will offer a glimpse into his growth as a young, aspiring engineer, showcasing how he used these powerful tools to hone his skills. His project draws inspiration from sustainable design principles, incorporating elements from Passive House methodology to tackle energy efficiency and elevate living standards. He'll showcase the intricacies of his design process, looking at how Dynamo facilitated the creation of a distinctive roof model and how CFD analysis was used to assess its performance. Above all, this session will serve as a testament to the transformative potential of technically driven education, supported by Autodesk. It's a narrative of learning from mistakes, refining skills, and, ultimately, evolving into a more adept engineer.

The Autodesk 2024 Design and Make report showcases that 77% of companies report that upskilling employees is important. They also report they lack resources needed to design training programs. The Design and Make report also reflects that between 2021 and 2023 there's been a 143% increase in Autodesk's Media and Entertainment certification adoption, a 71% increase in AECO certification adoption, and a 100% increase in Autodesk's Design and Make certification adoption. Professionals and educators will learn about Autodesk's recognized certification and how earning certification helps validate your skills to employers and gives you the ability to differentiate yourself in this competitive labor force. Attendees will learn about available learning and training to upskill in Autodesk products. Additionally, they'll learn about our global distribution channels and reduced-price bulk vouchers for teams or students. Lastly, we'll discuss available state government funding for students. Twenty-five random attendees will receive a free voucher to take a professional Autodesk Certification exam.