Design, cope, mark and prepare tubes for the shop in Autodesk Fusion. Explore what changed in 1.10.15, then compare the tools and what both licenses include.
What’s new in 1.10.15
Keep existing joint work intact and see the marks and references you are editing.
Open a group to compare benefits, enlarge an example or read the tool details.
Tube Shop 1.10.15 feature and license comparison
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MonthlyAll listed tools while your subscription is active.
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PerpetualAll listed tools in your covered version, with no license expiry.
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45 capabilities, grouped by workflow. Open a group to compare all three perspectives.
01Design & revisionTurn measurements, sketches and scan references into editable tube designs.14 features+
Design & revision: Tube Shop 1.10.15 features, user benefits, and license inclusion.
Feature
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Hobbyist
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Palette & native toolsUpdated in 1.10.15
Launch native Fusion design, review and coping dialogs from one palette, with imported-tube tools grouped separately.
ProfessionalKeep the job's tools in a consistent place.
ProsumerMove between imports, point edits and coping from the palette.
HobbyistFind the next tool without filling the toolbar.
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Perpetual✓ Included
Tool details for Palette & native tools
Palette & native toolsUpdated in V1.10.9
Open design, review and coping tools from the Tube Shop palette. Native Fusion dialogs keep selections, previews and Apply controls beside the model; the palette returns when you close a tool. Extract centerlines and Reconcile imported points have their own Imported tubes section under Design.
Use it when
You want one place to find tools as you move from imported geometry to editable tubes and fabrication.
Why it helps & what to know
The Fusion toolbar keeps the Tube Shop launcher. Selection feedback in point, host and bend reviews shows which model item you are changing.
Responsive editingUpdated in V1.10.15
Performance improvements for coping and fabrication-mark previews run automatically. There is no checkbox to enable responsive editing.
Use it when
You are revising a tube assembly and reviewing its fabrication marks.
Why it helps & what to know
Mark previews reuse unchanged work and update as the model changes. Complex native Fusion operations can still take time; review the finished preview and any reported exceptions.
Extract centerlines
Create independent editable 3D line sketches from recognizable tubes, through their ends and bend intersections.
ProfessionalRecover a usable layout from supported incoming geometry.
ProsumerUse an existing tube assembly as a sketch starting point.
HobbyistSee the paths behind the tube shapes.
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Tool details for Extract centerlines
Extract centerlinesUpdated in V1.10.9
Select recognizable tube bodies or faces to create independent editable 3D line sketches through their ends and bend intersections. The original solids stay in place; use the sketches as a starting point for point-based or sketch-based tube building.
Use it when
A STEP import or existing assembly needs a usable centerline layout.
Why it helps & what to know
Supported coped tubes can be recognized, but an import without construction records may only reveal its trimmed path. Extraction does not automatically attach the existing solid to the new sketch.
Reconcile imported pointsUpdated in 1.10.15
Make supported imported round tubes point-editable while preserving their shapes and bend radii, including verified coped ends.
ProfessionalPrepare supported STEP tubes for measured revisions.
ProsumerRetain supported end cuts when revising imported tubes.
HobbyistWork from editable reference points on an imported member.
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Tool details for Reconcile imported points
Reconcile imported pointsUpdated in V1.10.15
Create editable points on supported imported or recovered tubes and attach branches to their host. Move a linked point and choose Update Tubes to rebuild the affected members and their recorded copes.
Use it when
You want to edit a recognizable imported tube through source points, including a tube that is already coped.
Why it helps & what to know
Existing source points and proposed points remain visible while you review the command, including tubes that are already linked. The update verifies which solid carries the original tube identity and whether its existing cuts can be preserved.
Review host points
Choose a nearby host or fixed position for each source point; supported branches follow host and bend-radius changes.
ProfessionalReview dependencies and assembly-order recommendations.
ProsumerKeep a brace attached as the main tube changes.
HobbyistSee and choose which tube a point follows.
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Perpetual✓ Included
Tool details for Review host points
Review host pointsUpdated in V1.10.9
Choose which tube each source point follows, or keep the point fixed. Review nearby centerline candidates within a chosen radius, see the point and host highlighted, then stage and apply the choices. Saved assembly order helps identify suitable earlier hosts.
Use it when
A branch should stay attached when its host moves or its bend radius changes.
Why it helps & what to know
A point attached to a host bend follows its saved position on that bend; connected updates rebuild dependent tubes. Ambiguous choices need review, dependency cycles are rejected, and linking alone does not move the point.
3D Tube Sketch
Pick, adjust and connect points into an editable 3D sketch, carrying your tube size and die into the tube builder.
ProfessionalDevelop connected layouts before generating members.
ProsumerShape custom structures around a project.
HobbyistBuild a tube layout one point at a time.
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Perpetual✓ Included
Tool details for 3D Tube Sketch
3D Tube SketchUpdated in V1.10.7
Pick, adjust and add points to draw a tube layout in space or against imported scan and model geometry. Use typed coordinates, axis and plane locks, branches, loops and mirrored members. Finish creates an editable Fusion sketch and opens the tube builder with your selected size and die.
Use it when
You want to develop a cage, hoop or brace directly around the space it needs to occupy.
Why it helps & what to know
See the tube and bend preview as you work. Scan picks are fixed reference points, not automatic tube fitting, associative scan constraints or a clearance check.
Measured point placement
Place points from reference-based XYZ offsets, including positions along existing tubes.
ProfessionalBring measured hard points into the job.
ProsumerWork from your own chassis measurements.
HobbyistTurn tape measurements into CAD references.
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Perpetual✓ Included
Tool details for Measured point placement
Place pointsUpdated in V1.10.14
Place sketch points using X, Y and Z offsets from a picked reference. Adjust the offsets, add mirrored points, or locate a point along an existing tube.
Use it when
You have measured hard points and need to turn them into a tube layout.
Why it helps & what to know
Use the dimensions you measured as inputs to the design, with references you can revise.
Tube through points
Select points in path order, review the preview and bend choices in a native Fusion dialog, then build a walled round tube.
ProfessionalKeep the layout tied to available tooling.
ProsumerBuild hoops and braces through known locations.
HobbyistGenerate tube geometry from chosen points.
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Perpetual✓ Included
Tool details for Tube through points
Tube through pointsUpdated in V1.10.9
Select existing points in path order in a native Fusion dialog and review the tube preview. Adjust the point order, stock and bend choices, then build a walled round tube. Closed hoops and mirrored twins are available.
Use it when
A hoop, brace or crossmember has to pass through known positions.
Why it helps & what to know
Review the path and die grip requirements before building. The resulting member keeps its source-point relationships for later revisions.
Tubes from sketch lines
Convert centerline sketches into separate walled tube members with bends based on your selected die.
ProfessionalDevelop a frame from its wireframe layout.
ProsumerReuse a custom chassis sketch.
HobbyistStart with lines, then create the tubes.
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Tool details for Tubes from sketch lines
Tubes from sketch lines
Turn sketch centerlines into walled round tube bodies. Corners use the selected die’s radius and junctions separate the members. Build a selected member or the whole wireframe.
Use it when
Your starting point is a cage or chassis drawn as lines and arcs.
Why it helps & what to know
Keep the wireframe layout and the fabrication tooling connected.
Tube anchors
Create snap points at tube ends, bend tangents, bend midpoints and sharp bend corners. Regenerate them after tubes move.
ProfessionalPlace new members from references in the existing assembly.
ProsumerBuild braces and extensions around the tubes already modeled.
HobbyistSnap the next tube to a useful point on the current one.
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Tool details for Tube anchors
Tube anchorsUpdated in V1.10.14
Create snap points at tube ends, bend tangents, bend midpoints and sharp bend corners. Work on selected tubes or all visible tubes, then regenerate the anchors after the tubes move.
Use it when
You are adding braces or extensions to an existing assembly.
Why it helps & what to know
Use references from the tubes already in the design to place the next member.
Point coordinates & reference display
Highlight the selected source point in the viewport, edit coordinates from a reference and preview connected changes.
ProfessionalInspect and revise shared design references.
ProsumerMake controlled changes across connected members.
HobbyistSee which points control each tube.
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Perpetual✓ Included
Tool details for Point coordinates & reference display
Tube point coordinatesUpdated in V1.10.9
Select a tube source point and see it highlighted in amber in the Fusion viewport, even with draft previews off. Edit coordinates in Fusion units, choose a reference, rotate about a reference and preview the change. Apply can also update the connected tubes.
Use it when
Several tube positions need measured changes and you want to review the coordinates together.
Why it helps & what to know
Keep the existing point identities and tube links. Fixed, projected, missing or ambiguous points remain visible with an explanation instead of accepting unsafe edits.
Tube reference point displayUpdated in V1.10.7
Show the points that drive visible tubes as cyan rings. Selecting a tube or face emphasizes its driving points with numbered amber markers; selecting a point shows which tubes use it. Show tube reference points remembers your display preference.
Use it when
You need to understand which points control a member before changing its geometry.
Why it helps & what to know
See shared and mirrored source relationships in the viewport without marking every ordinary sketch point.
Update from points
Rebuild supported connected tubes after point edits, retaining per-bend tooling, applicable joint records and supported imported end cuts.
ProfessionalRevise members while retaining their identities and joint records.
ProsumerAdjust an existing design as the project changes.
HobbyistRefine a layout without recreating every member.
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Perpetual✓ Included
Tool details for Update from points
Update from pointsUpdated in V1.10.9
Rebuild supported connected tubes after source points move, retaining their identities, per-bend die assignments and applicable joint records. Reconciled imported tubes retain supported end cuts; recorded Tube Shop joints use their saved reconstruction settings.
Use it when
The seat, roofline or test-fit measurements change.
Why it helps & what to know
Review the updated tubes and cuts before export. Unsupported geometry or changes to the required bend structure are reported; model changes support native Undo.
Scan references
Locate ball targets or tube-section centers in scans. Use 3D sketch to pick scan or model surface references.
ProfessionalBring scanned vehicle references into the layout.
ProsumerDesign around scanned project geometry.
HobbyistUse a scan as a starting reference.
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Tool details for Scan references
Scan targets
Find printed ball targets in a scan, or pick scanned round, square or rectangular tube sections to place center points. Inspect fitted tube sections in the viewport before accepting the points.
Use it when
Measured positions come from a scanned vehicle or an existing tube structure.
Why it helps & what to know
Bring reference positions into the point-based design workflow. Scan targets can read several section shapes; the tube-building tools create round tube.
Tube & material presets
Choose metric or inch diameter, wall and material presets. Enter your actual die radius separately.
ProfessionalReuse consistent tube specifications across jobs.
ProsumerKeep frequently used materials ready to select.
HobbyistSet tube diameter and wall together.
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Perpetual✓ Included
Tool details for Tube & material presets
Tube size & material presetsUpdated in V1.10.7
Choose from 32 metric and inch OD × wall presets in the tube design tools. The die editor offers 47 material-and-size choices, including E235, 25CrMo4, T45, DOM, 4130, 304 stainless and 6061 aluminum. The actual nominal centerline radius is entered separately.
Use it when
You want to start with a recognized tube specification and match it to your shop's tooling.
Why it helps & what to know
Set related dimensions together while retaining precise sizes in inch or millimetre documents. Changing a die's tube specification clears its old calibration so it is not silently reused for different stock.
Fusion working units
Palette dimensions, bend data and fabrication paperwork follow the design’s metric or inch units.
ProfessionalMatch the units used by the job.
ProsumerWork with both metric and inch designs.
HobbyistRead measurements in familiar units.
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Perpetual✓ Included
Tool details for Fusion working units
Follow Fusion working units
Read and enter Tube Shop dimensions in the current Fusion design's working units. Die dimensions, calibration, stock, cutting feeds and coordinate displays follow the document's unit choice.
Use it when
Your measurements and stock specifications use millimetres or inches, or you move between customer documents.
Why it helps & what to know
Work in the document's units without changing the physical tube size. Machine-output units remain a separate setting to match the controller.
02Tooling & design checksBring your actual dies, calibration and manufacturing constraints into the job.6 features+
Tooling & design checks: Tube Shop 1.10.15 features, user benefits, and license inclusion.
Feature
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Die library & calibration
Store dies and test-bend measurements, including calibrated radius, springback and an editable signed rotation offset.
ProfessionalKeep tooling measurements available across jobs.
ProsumerTune the workflow to your own bender.
HobbyistBase instructions on the die you actually use.
Monthly✓ Included
Perpetual✓ Included
Tool details for Die library & calibration
Die library & calibrationUpdated in V1.10.8
Organize dies by tube diameter, choose defaults and record test-bend calibration. Use nominal or calibrated centerline radius, springback and bend offsets. Edit the signed rotation offset directly in the die editor or save it from calibration.
Use it when
You want the model and bend instructions to reflect the dies and bender in your shop.
Why it helps & what to know
The rotation convention is shown from end A; zero clears the correction. Changing nominal CLR clears stale calibrated measurements unless calibrated CLR is explicitly edited too.
Guided die calibration
Follow Cut, Bend, Measure, Rotation and Review in a separate, resizable Fusion window with larger diagrams and measurement guidance.
ProfessionalWork through calibration with a clear review before saving.
ProsumerKeep each test-bend measurement in its own guided step.
HobbyistSee what to cut, bend and measure next.
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Perpetual✓ Included
Tool details for Guided die calibration
Guided die calibrationUpdated in V1.10.9
Open a dedicated, resizable Fusion window with Cut, Bend, Measure, Rotation and Review steps. Larger diagrams and measurement guidance walk you through the existing test-bend calibration process.
Use it when
You are measuring a die and bender setup and want clear guidance beside the measurements.
Why it helps & what to know
Measurements are validated before saving and compensation stays associated with the calibrated die. Typed values survive unit changes, and changed source designs or die specifications require a fresh review.
Linked die dimensions
Saving a die's CLR updates supported linked tubes, including mirrored runs and 3D bends, while preserving bend intersection points and endpoints.
ProfessionalCarry a tooling-radius revision through linked members.
ProsumerKeep the design connected to the die you saved.
HobbyistRevise supported bends without replacing the tube path.
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Perpetual✓ Included
Tool details for Linked die dimensions
Linked die dimensionsUpdated in V1.10.8
Keep supported tube dimensions linked to the selected die. Saving a die’s centerline radius updates linked tubes, including point-built tubes, mirrored runs and 3D bends, while retaining bend intersection points and endpoints. Matching OD and wall dimensions can follow the die; custom dimensions remain independent.
Use it when
A tooling dimension changes and you want the tubes already linked to that die to follow it.
Why it helps & what to know
Supported model updates use Fusion Undo. Unlinked older geometry is not inferred; bends that cannot fit, closed loops and unsupported wall-cut rebuilds are reported.
Create a matching die
Resolve a mark-preview die mismatch with a compatible saved die or a draft from the imported tube's measured OD, wall and CLR. Review calibration separately.
ProfessionalReview imported tube dimensions before assigning tooling.
ProsumerPrepare marks without rebuilding compatible imported geometry.
HobbyistUnderstand why a die mismatch is preventing marks.
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Perpetual✓ Included
Tool details for Create a matching die
Create a matching dieUpdated in V1.10.8
When a selected die prevents mark previews, use a compatible saved die or create a draft from the imported tube’s measured OD, wall and centerline radius. Review it, then save and use it to refresh compatible tubes’ marks.
Use it when
Imported tube bends do not match the currently selected die and you need to review the tooling association.
Why it helps & what to know
Calibration stays blank for review and imported geometry is not rebuilt. Tubes with several radii offer library-only saving; a matching model radius does not establish real tooling calibration.
Match bends to your dies
Assign dies to individual bends or convert selected bends to available radii, with supported hosted-point and branch updates.
ProfessionalReview incoming geometry against shop tooling.
ProsumerAdapt a design to an available die.
HobbyistSee how a radius change affects the layout.
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Perpetual✓ Included
Tool details for Match bends to your dies
Match bends to your diesUpdated in V1.10.9
Review individual bends against your die library, assign compatible dies or convert selected bends to available radii. Highlight the bend being reviewed and stage choices before applying. Hosted points and supported attached members follow the radius change.
Use it when
An incoming model uses a radius your tooling does not produce, or a die change affects connected tubes.
Why it helps & what to know
Per-bend review retains the current stock dimensions. Use Change tube die for a whole-tube OD, wall and die change. Review fit failures and refreshed cuts before fabrication.
Design & recognition checks
Report grip-length, bend-zone, stock-fit and die-match issues, and inspect unrecognized bodies. These checks do not certify structural safety.
ProfessionalReview reported exceptions before production preparation.
ProsumerInvestigate a difficult imported or custom part.
HobbyistIdentify geometry that needs attention.
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Perpetual✓ Included
Tool details for Design & recognition checks
Design check
Report grip-length issues, bend-zone copes, wall features on arcs, stock fit and die matches across the assembly. The check names the affected tubes and leaves the model unchanged.
Use it when
You are reviewing a customer file or preparing a job for cutting.
Why it helps & what to know
See fabrication issues while you can still adjust the model. This is a manufacturing check, not structural or regulatory certification.
Recognition & output checksUpdated in V1.10.8
Review what Tube Shop recognizes in each body with Diagnose body. Mark previews explain the actual failure, including a selected die radius that differs from the imported bends. Output checks report unrecognized material, unsupported features and parts that do not fit the stock.
Use it when
You are working with unfamiliar or imported geometry.
Why it helps & what to know
Find the reported exceptions before relying on the fabrication output.
03Coping & jointsPrepare intersections and corner joints from the geometry and assembly sequence.7 features+
Coping & joints: Tube Shop 1.10.15 features, user benefits, and license inclusion.
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Joint coping & cut methodsUpdated in 1.10.15
Open a native Fusion coping dialog from the Tube Shop palette. Select hosts and tubes to cut, choose normalized rotary or exact boolean cuts, and review optional joinery.
ProfessionalPrepare joint geometry for the intended cutting process.
ProsumerWork through complex joints in the model.
HobbyistDerive cope profiles from the tube intersection.
Monthly✓ Included
Perpetual✓ Included
Tool details for Joint coping & cut methods
Cope a jointUpdated in V1.10.15
Launch Cope a joint from the Tube Shop palette into a native Fusion dialog. Choose Fit against and Tubes to cut, review the cut and optional joinery settings, then apply the joint. The palette returns when the tool closes.
Use it when
You need to prepare the intersections in a welded tube assembly.
Why it helps & what to know
When coping the second end, an existing notch at the opposite end stays unchanged when it clears all selected cutters. Completed cuts retain native Fusion Undo. Ordinary coping preserves Fit against bodies; enabled tab slots and plate openings deliberately modify them.
Normalized rotary cutsUpdated in V1.10.8
Normalize a cope to a radial cut suited to a two-axis rotary process. A conservative default and per-end controls let you choose the profile, with a fit-up gap annotation for review.
Use it when
You are preparing cope profiles for a rotary machine or a hand-cut template.
Why it helps & what to know
Review a cut profile that reflects the intended cutting process. Improved imported multi-tube handling retains split pieces in their assembly context and avoids excess material removal from mismatched cutter surfaces.
Assembly-order coping
Select tubes in installation order and review the numbered table and viewport labels. Reorder members or group them in the same step; later members cope against earlier ones.
ProfessionalOrganize joint preparation around the build sequence.
ProsumerPlan how a complex frame will go together.
HobbyistMake the installation order explicit.
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Perpetual✓ Included
Tool details for Assembly-order coping
Assembly-order copingUpdated in V1.10.9
Select tubes in installation order, starting with the base. Use the numbered table and viewport labels to review the sequence, move or remove members, and group tubes in the same step. Each later member copes to earlier members it meets; same-step members do not cope to one another.
Use it when
The way the frame goes together determines which tubes need the notches.
Why it helps & what to know
The base receives no cope, while enabled slots or plate openings can deliberately modify it. Completed cuts retain assembly order for marks and paperwork; a successful run clears the picking list.
Miter corners
Prepare matching miter cuts where round-tube legs meet at a corner, with an optional fit-up gap.
ProfessionalPrepare several frame corners in one selection.
ProsumerModel matching corner joints directly.
HobbyistGet paired end cuts from the corner geometry.
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Perpetual✓ Included
Tool details for Miter corners
Miter cornersUpdated in V1.10.4
Choose Miter corners in Cope a joint and select the round-tube legs. Meeting ends receive matching miter cuts, with an optional fit-up gap. Ends can be extended to complete the miter where needed; tubes without a corner partner are reported and left uncut.
Use it when
Two round-tube legs meet at a corner, or you are preparing several corners in a frame.
Why it helps & what to know
The miter is recorded for Update copes and appears in the cut list and project export.
Multi-tube & crossing joints
Cope clustered intersections and split supported crossing members. At a shared bend, the conservative square cut fits a round branch to the contact through its wall with the tubes already in place.
ProfessionalHandle dense nodes within the same joint workflow.
ProsumerPrepare intersecting braces and clustered junctions.
HobbyistInspect how several members meet.
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Perpetual✓ Included
Tool details for Multi-tube & crossing joints
Multicopes & crossing membersUpdated in V1.10.12
Cope an end against several tubes at a clustered joint. Recognized crossing members can be split into separate pieces so each new end receives the required joint profile.
Use it when
Several members meet at one node or a brace crosses through another tube.
Why it helps & what to know
Tip relief trims narrow tails and blends back into the surrounding cut. The conservative square cut keeps an existing far-end notch when it clears the selected tubes.
Update copes
Recut recorded joints from revised geometry, including recorded miter corners.
ProfessionalBring joint preparation forward after a revision.
ProsumerRetain joint choices while changing the design.
HobbyistRefresh existing cuts after moving a tube.
Monthly✓ Included
Perpetual✓ Included
Tool details for Update copes
Update copes
Re-cut recorded joints, including miter corners, from the current geometry after dimensions or positions change.
Use it when
A design revision moves a tube that was already coped or mitered.
Why it helps & what to know
Reuse the recorded joint choices when bringing the cuts up to date.
Tab-and-slot jointsUpdated in 1.10.15
Add supported locating tabs and matching host slots with adjustable clearance. Remove Tab & Slot removes a matched pair together, with one Undo for both sides.
ProfessionalAdd locating features during joint preparation.
ProsumerPlan repeatable positioning for fit-up.
HobbyistGive mating parts a physical location reference.
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Perpetual✓ Included
Tool details for Tab-and-slot joints
Tab-and-slot joineryUpdated in V1.10.12
Use Add Tabs & Slots under After coping to add tabs and matching slots to finished round tubes in assembly order. Auto reach measures each landing through the receiving wall. You can also add joinery during the original cope.
Use it when
You want locating features to help position the tubes during fit-up.
Why it helps & what to know
Secondary slots need a straight host landing. The tool checks clearance around nearby tubes and skips pairs that cannot fit. For a fixed-height tab that is too short, it reports the minimum required reach.
Remove Tab & SlotUpdated in V1.10.15
Select either a tab or its matching slot to remove both sides of the pair together. The surrounding tube surfaces and fabrication records update in the same operation.
Use it when
A locating pair needs to be removed while keeping neighboring joinery.
Why it helps & what to know
One Undo restores both sides. If no mate remains, the surviving feature can be removed on its own; ambiguous matches are reported before changes are made.
Tube-to-plate joints
Trim tubes to plate faces. Optionally open a plate for a supported straight round tube passing through it.
ProfessionalPrepare mounts and bulkhead interfaces in CAD.
ProsumerIntegrate tubes with custom plate parts.
HobbyistPlan where a tube meets or passes through a plate.
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Perpetual✓ Included
Tool details for Tube-to-plate joints
Tube-to-plate joints
Trim a tube to the face of a stationary plate. For a straight round tube passing through a plate, an optional opening follows the tube’s section and angle with a specified clearance.
Use it when
A tube lands on a mount or passes through a bulkhead.
Why it helps & what to know
Prepare the tube end or deliberate plate opening within the joint workflow.
04Features & markingKeep cutting choices, part identity and setup references connected to the tube.7 features+
Features & marking: Tube Shop 1.10.15 features, user benefits, and license inclusion.
Feature
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Hobbyist
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Live viewport marksUpdated in 1.10.15
Show assembly, clamp, bend, feature, tube ID and applied custom editor marks directly on recognized round tubes. Switch layers independently; marks refresh after completed edits, moves and Undo/Redo.
ProfessionalInspect fabrication references in the assembled model.
ProsumerCheck the marks in context before exporting the job.
HobbyistSee part identity and bending references on the tube.
Monthly✓ Included
Perpetual✓ Included
Tool details for Live viewport marks
Live viewport marksUpdated in V1.10.15
Show assembly outlines, clamp references, bend start/end marks, bend specifications, feature marks and tube IDs directly on recognized round tubes in Fusion. Applied custom marks from the prototype editor appear in the viewport too. Each layer has its own visibility switch.
Use it when
You want to inspect fabrication references on the assembled model before producing shop output.
Why it helps & what to know
Marks follow component placement and visibility and refresh after completed edits, moves and Undo/Redo. They hide during active edits; displaying them does not cut geometry or write fabrication records.
Tube mark layout
Choose each bend's feed direction and place the part number from either end or the tube center, with rotation around the tube. END A and END B guides show orientation.
ProfessionalCarry per-tube choices into bend sheets and manufacturing output.
ProsumerPosition the part number and bend references for the job.
HobbyistUse clear end guides to check which way the tube feeds.
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Perpetual✓ Included
Tool details for Tube mark layout
Tube mark layoutUpdated in V1.10.8
Choose a feed direction for each bend and position the part number from either tube end or the center, with rotation around the tube. Blue END A and amber END B guides identify the selected tube’s orientation, including rotated linked copies.
Use it when
A particular member needs a different loading direction or a more useful position for its identification mark.
Why it helps & what to know
Choices follow the tube into previews, bend sheets and manufacturing output. Explicit bend choices override the global feed direction; unchanged bends inherit it.
Adjustable tube ID size
Scale tube IDs from 25% to 400% for live previews and fabrication marks. Long labels still shrink to fit their tube.
ProfessionalSet readable part identification for the stock and job.
ProsumerKeep model lettering and exported marks at the chosen scale.
HobbyistMake tube labels easier to read at a useful size.
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Perpetual✓ Included
Tool details for Adjustable tube ID size
Adjustable tube ID sizeUpdated in V1.10.8
Scale tube ID lettering from 25% to 400% in Cut & Mark > Mark settings. The same setting controls live viewport lettering and fabrication marks, with 100% preserving the original size.
Use it when
Part names need to be easier to read or fit a smaller marking area.
Why it helps & what to know
Long labels still shrink to fit. Apply refreshes live marks; Apply + Rebuild nest updates an existing layout. Enable Scribe tube ID for exports and re-export files to use the new size.
Wall-feature routingUpdated in 1.10.15
Carry recognized holes and cutouts into CAM. Choose cut, mark or skip for each feature.
ProfessionalControl how each recognized feature is produced.
ProsumerReuse design features in cutting preparation.
HobbyistKeep holes and cutouts with the part geometry.
Monthly✓ Included
Perpetual✓ Included
Tool details for Wall-feature routing
Wall openings & feature routing
Carry recognized holes, slots, cutouts and engraved features into the output. In CAM, route each feature to cut, mark or skip.
Use it when
The tube includes mounting holes, cable openings or identification features.
Why it helps & what to know
Choose which features become cuts and which remain marks without changing their design geometry.
Choose your Cut & Mark workflowUpdated in V1.10.15
Choose the original Cut & Mark workflow or the prototype editor from the palette. Both choices remain available, so you can return to either workflow after switching.
Use it when
You want the established controls or want to review and author paths in the prototype editor.
Why it helps & what to know
The editor remains a prototype. Review applied paths, cut-or-mark choices and the resulting toolpaths before producing machine output.
Identification & assembly marks
Add tube IDs, saddle footprints, clocking references and optional assembly-step labels. Saddle outlines follow the finished cope edge, including normalization and fit-up gap.
ProfessionalKeep part identity and fit-up references with the job.
ProsumerOrganize members in a complex custom assembly.
HobbyistSee where a member belongs and how it is oriented.
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Perpetual✓ Included
Tool details for Identification & assembly marks
Assembly & bending marksUpdated in V1.10.8
Add saddle outlines, assembly step numbers, tube IDs, bend information, clamp references and a rotation datum. Assembly outlines follow the finished normalized cope edge, including clearance and fit-up gap. Configure marking styles and supported marks-as-cuts output.
Use it when
You need the part’s identity, bend setup and joint locations on the stock.
Why it helps & what to know
Carry fabrication references into the developed output. Bend-angle and rotation lettering follow Fusion’s angular precision; rotation ticks and clamp references use the inside of the bend with the saved die rotation offset.
Update marks
Refresh saddle footprints and clocking references without recutting tubes. Author marks from an assembly order when no joints are recorded.
ProfessionalRefresh assembly references independently of another coping run.
ProsumerAdd or revise marks on an existing design.
HobbyistPrepare fit-up references without making new cuts in the model.
Monthly✓ Included
Perpetual✓ Included
Tool details for Update marks
Update marks without re-cuttingUpdated in V1.10.12
Refresh each receiving tube’s saddle outline from the finished geometry. When a branch lands on multiple tubes, each host carries the portion at its own landing.
Use it when
You need assembly references on an existing design or need to refresh them after a revision.
Why it helps & what to know
Prepare marking information independently of a new coping run.
Bend & clamp references
Prepare bend information, rotation and clamp references using your die setup. Engraved angles follow Fusion's angular precision; rotation references include the saved die offset.
ProfessionalPut setup references beside the bending operation.
ProsumerConnect the bend sequence to your tooling setup.
HobbyistWork from explicit bending and alignment references.
Monthly✓ Included
Perpetual✓ Included
Tool details for Bend & clamp references
Assembly & bending marksUpdated in V1.10.8
Add saddle outlines, assembly step numbers, tube IDs, bend information, clamp references and a rotation datum. Assembly outlines follow the finished normalized cope edge, including clearance and fit-up gap. Configure marking styles and supported marks-as-cuts output.
Use it when
You need the part’s identity, bend setup and joint locations on the stock.
Why it helps & what to know
Carry fabrication references into the developed output. Bend-angle and rotation lettering follow Fusion’s angular precision; rotation ticks and clamp references use the inside of the bend with the saved die rotation offset.
05Fabrication outputsTake the job from the screen to the supplier, bender and fabrication bench.6 features+
Fabrication outputs: Tube Shop 1.10.15 features, user benefits, and license inclusion.
Feature
Professional
Prosumer
Hobbyist
Monthly
Perpetual
Developed blanks & CAD exports
Export supported tube geometry as modeled or straightened, with cut and marking information, in STEP or IGES.
ProfessionalHand off tube geometry to a cutting supplier.
ProsumerPrepare bent designs for straight-stock workflows.
HobbyistCompare the finished shape with its cutting blank.
Monthly✓ Included
Perpetual✓ Included
Tool details for Developed blanks & CAD exports
Developed blanks & CAD exports
Export individual tubes as STEP or IGES, as modeled or developed into straight blanks, with cut profiles, supported wall features and marking geometry. Bend-zone cope handling provides bend-first blanks where the job requires them.
Use it when
You are sending a bent design to a straight-tube cutting workflow or sharing the part geometry.
Why it helps & what to know
Review the blank and its references before handing the files to your cutting supplier.
Cut lists & bend tables
Export stock lengths, tube and end information, and LRA or XYZ bending data.
ProfessionalKeep preparation and bending information together.
ProsumerPlan stock purchases and bender setup.
HobbyistFollow a part list and bend sequence.
Monthly✓ Included
Perpetual✓ Included
Tool details for Cut lists & bend tables
Cut lists & bend sheetsUpdated in V1.10.8
Export tube sizes, lengths and end information, plus feed, rotation, angle and apex-point bend data. Bend sheets carry the tube’s saved per-bend feed choices. Bend setup uses the selected die’s radius and available springback calibration.
Use it when
You are ordering stock, preparing a quote or setting up the bender.
Why it helps & what to know
Keep the tube identification, geometry and tooling information connected in the shop documents.
Fabrication packet PDFs
Produce job overviews, per-tube cards, diagrams, preparation notes and bending instructions.
Export a job overview and cut list, a fabrication card for each tube, and LRA and XYZ bender tables. Tube cards bring together end preparation, diagrams, bend instructions, setup notes and assembly references.
Use it when
The shop needs the job information together beside the saw, bender or welding table.
Why it helps & what to know
Follow the part from blank preparation through bending and fit-up using one packet.
Full-scale wrap templates
Export cope and miter bands and landing-mark strips. Print at 100% and verify the scale check.
ProfessionalProvide a manual cutting or inspection reference.
ProsumerTransfer model-derived profiles to stock.
HobbyistLay out a cope with a printed template.
Monthly✓ Included
Perpetual✓ Included
Tool details for Full-scale wrap templates
Full-scale wrap templates
Export printable cope and miter bands and host landing-mark strips, with calibration references. PDF templates must be printed at 100% and checked against the scale bar. DXF wrap and flat-pattern outputs are also available.
Use it when
You are transferring the joint profile to stock for hand cutting or inspection.
Why it helps & what to know
Use profiles and reference marks derived from the same tube information as the job’s other outputs.
Offline HTML shop guide
Export a standalone guide with drawings, companion PDFs, progress checks and notes, readable without Fusion or a web server.
ProfessionalKeep an accessible job reference at the work area.
ProsumerTrack progress through a custom fabrication job.
HobbyistFollow the job from a browser without opening Fusion.
Monthly✓ Included
Perpetual✓ Included
Tool details for Offline HTML shop guide
Offline HTML fabrication guideUpdated in V1.10.7
Export a standalone browser guide with job preparation, per-tube instructions and assembly steps. The file carries its drawings, printable PDFs, progress checklist and notes, with a compact layout for phones.
Use it when
You want to follow the job beside the work without switching between separate documents.
Why it helps & what to know
Open the exported guide offline, work through the steps and keep progress and notes with that browser's saved guide state.
Project-file exchange
Export and import tube geometry with supported die, marking, CAM and reference settings.
ProfessionalRetain job context when reopening or exchanging work.
ProsumerKeep geometry and shop settings together.
HobbyistReturn to a project with its setup preserved.
Monthly✓ Included
Perpetual✓ Included
Tool details for Project-file exchange
Project-file import & exportUpdated in V1.10.4
Export a Tube Shop project file with tubes, die information, marking settings and CAM choices. Import a project opens the file in a new Fusion design. Supported points, linked tubes and reference geometry travel with the file.
Use it when
You need to reopen or exchange a Tube Shop job with its fabrication settings.
Why it helps & what to know
Move the job as one file while retaining more context than a geometry-only export.
06CAM & shop workflowReview stock and machine output, manage covered updates and keep your job files available.4 features+
CAM & shop workflow: Tube Shop 1.10.15 features, user benefits, and license inclusion.
Feature
Professional
Prosumer
Hobbyist
Monthly
Perpetual
Stock nesting
Arrange compatible parts on stock with spacing, chuck allowances and stock-on-hand settings. Parts that do not fit are reported.
ProfessionalReview material allocation before output.
ProsumerInclude suitable stock already on the rack.
HobbyistSee how parts fit the available lengths.
Monthly✓ Included
Perpetual✓ Included
Tool details for Stock nesting
Stock layout
Nest tubes onto available stock, keeping incompatible size, wall and material specifications separate. Use shorter parts to fill usable gaps and account for spacing, lead clearance and grip allowances. Oversized or omitted members are reported.
Use it when
You are arranging a batch for a rotary cutting machine.
Why it helps & what to know
Inspect the stock plan before output. Changed settings, pending operation edits and stale snapshots require a current reviewed nest before files can be written.
Rotary CAM preview & outputUpdated in 1.10.15
Inspect cut and mark paths and torch motion, then generate configured per-stick programs. Machine compatibility depends on your setup.
ProfessionalReview the proposed operation sequence before machining.
ProsumerPrepare output for a compatible configured controller.
HobbyistUnderstand the planned cutting sequence.
Monthly✓ Included
Perpetual✓ Included
Tool details for Rotary CAM preview & output
2D toolpaths & 3D torch previewUpdated in V1.10.15
Inspect developed cut and mark paths, then preview the rotary torch sequence in 3D. Review individual operations and estimated cycle time. Automatic CAM preview updates are always enabled, with no checkbox to turn them on.
Use it when
You want to inspect the planned cutting sequence before running it.
Why it helps & what to know
Review the refreshed stock plan, operation order, paths and motion before writing machine files.
Rotary G-code & machine settings
Generate per-stick programs using the configured post, units, rotary axis, feeds, pierce settings, kerf and leads. Machines without a controlled Z axis can omit Z moves. Advanced mode exposes the CAM and machine controls.
Use it when
You have a compatible rotary cutting setup and need machine output for the job.
Why it helps & what to know
Keep process and machine choices in your shop setup. Confirm the post and workflow match your controller before purchase.
Covered automatic updates
Check for eligible releases and install after Fusion closes. Availability follows your maintenance or paid subscription coverage.
ProfessionalKeep supported installations current under the plan.
ProsumerReceive covered improvements through the add-in.
HobbyistUpdate without manually replacing add-in files each time.
Monthly✓ Included
Perpetual✓ Included
Tool details for Covered automatic updates
Automatic updatesUpdated in V1.10.4
Check for eligible updates in the background or choose Check for updates. Installation waits until Fusion closes. Update availability follows the plan’s maintenance or subscription coverage.
Use it when
You want to keep the add-in current with covered releases.
Why it helps & what to know
After the initial installation, installed Windows builds can receive later covered releases through the built-in updater. Source checkouts use manual downloads.
Local processing & standard files
Process Tube Shop jobs on Windows and save fabrication files to disk. Fusion’s own licensing and document storage remain separate.
ProfessionalPass standard outputs into the shop’s existing workflow.
ProsumerKeep files available for suppliers and other tools.
HobbyistOpen, print and keep the job’s outputs.
Monthly✓ Included
Perpetual✓ Included
Tool details for Local processing & standard files
Local Tube Shop processing & files
Tube Shop processes the job on your Windows machine and writes standard files to your disk. Your Fusion license and Fusion’s own document storage are separate.
Use it when
You need shop files you can inspect, print or pass to a supplier.
Why it helps & what to know
Use PDFs, DXFs, CAD files and machine programs in the rest of your fabrication workflow.
07Experimental workflowAn additional geometry handoff that requires a supported TubePro installation and review in TubePro.1 feature+
Experimental workflow: Tube Shop 1.10.15 features, user benefits, and license inclusion.
Feature
Professional
Prosumer
Hobbyist
Monthly
Perpetual
TubePro nest geometry (.zx)Experimental
Export reviewed round-tube nest geometry. Requires supported TubePro; assign and review cutting settings there. Non-round stock and tilted-head bevels are excluded.
ProfessionalEvaluate a reviewed nest handoff to a supported TubePro setup.
ProsumerExplore a geometry handoff while keeping cutting setup in TubePro.
HobbyistInspect an experimental export when a supported TubePro installation is available.
Monthly✓ Included
Perpetual✓ Included
Tool details for TubePro nest geometry (.zx)
TubePro nest geometry — experimentalUpdated in V1.10.7
Export a reviewed round-tube nest as one .zx geometry file per selected stock, carrying nested cut contours and supported marking strokes. This requires the supported TubePro 10.2501.10.0 x64 installation on Windows.
Use it when
Your cutting workflow uses that TubePro version and you want to review Tube Shop's nested geometry there.
Why it helps & what to know
Assign and review cutting technology, kerf, leads, operation order and machine setup in TubePro. Non-round stock and tilted-head bevel paths are rejected; successful import does not establish physical cutting validation.
Same features. Different license terms.
Monthly includes updates while subscribed and runs through the paid period. Perpetual includes 12 months of maintenance, then optional renewal at $500/yr. Ending maintenance keeps your covered version usable; later releases need current coverage.
Screenshots and sample outputs are shown where available; some show an earlier interface. Tube Shop 1.10.15 for Autodesk Fusion on Windows. Fusion is licensed separately. Machine output depends on a compatible setup and configured post. Fabrication checks do not certify structural strength or regulatory compliance. Experimental outputs require validation in the receiving software and your machine workflow.
Fusion is a trademark of Autodesk, Inc. Apex Design is not affiliated with or endorsed by Autodesk.
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