<p>Short answer: Isolate the reusable body, and <strong>Derive</strong> it in subsequent designs.</p>
<p>Long answer: Save a copy of the source Fusion 360 document that has the best design of the part you wish to reuse. Saving a copy will preserve the parametric design chain in case we need it for alteration later.</p>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/B9kIeHzu.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/B9kIeHzu.png" alt="enter image description here" /></a></p>
<p>Within the copied design document, make what changes you need to isolate and clean up the reusable part, give it an obvious descriptive name and save your work.</p>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/TzuZvUJj.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/TzuZvUJj.png" alt="enter image description here" /></a></p>
<p>Now in any later design you can choose <strong>Insert</strong> &gt; <strong>Insert Derive</strong>, choose your saved reusable part design document as the source of the derive and select your reusable part.</p>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/V0IhmOHt.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/V0IhmOHt.png" alt="enter image description here" /></a></p>
<p>You can then move and orient the part as needed for the new design.</p>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/65yXd1hB.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/65yXd1hB.png" alt="enter image description here" /></a></p>
<p>Caveats and considerations:</p>
<ul>
<li>By default derives are <strong>Linked</strong> back to the source design (indicated in
the <strong>Browser</strong> tree by the rightward-pointing arrow next to the Body
name). This means any alteration to the body in the source design will
be reflected in documents that use the body as a Derive.</li>
<li>If you need to make an alteration to a Derived body you have the
option to <strong>Break Link</strong> to make an independently editable copy of
the body, but consider making a copy and the desired changes in the
<em><strong>source</strong></em> document for your Derive, this gives you the option of using the altered version later as well.</li>
</ul>
<p>Disclaimer: I am a self-taught Fusion 360 (and CAD) user.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-07-20T19:31:52.333Z
That makes sense! Let me try that. Thanks.
Philipp F
CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-07-14T13:20:50.890Z
2024-07-14T13:20:50.890Z
Tuill
<p>I am designing a slightly more complex object made from multiple 3D-printed parts.
I came up with a <strong>snap connector</strong> that has a male and female part. The female part is used to cut into other bodies.</p>
<p>What is the best workflow to <strong>design</strong> this connector <strong>only once and re-use</strong> it on different surfaces of multiple parts and components of my design? Do i really have to copy it everyhere and join and cut each time?</p>
<p>In this case the connector looks like this, but it could be anything really:
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/V06Txe0t.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/V06Txe0t.png" alt="enter image description here" /></a>
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/eAnps5Dv.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/eAnps5Dv.png" alt="enter image description here" /></a></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-07-11T14:49:06.067Z
A screenshot of the snap connector could help in arriving at a suitable solution for you.
agarza
<fusion360>
Fusion 360: How to re-use snap connectors in different components
Philipp F
# Fusion 360: How to re-use snap connectors in different components

(Asked by: username_0 on 2024-07-11)

I am designing a slightly more complex object made from multiple 3D-printed parts.
I came up with a **snap connector** that has a male and female part. The female part is used to cut into other bodies.

What is the best workflow to **design** this connector **only once and re-use** it on different surfaces of multiple parts and components of my design? Do i really have to copy it everyhere and join and cut each time?

In this case the connector looks like this, but it could be anything really:
[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/V06Txe0t.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/V06Txe0t.png)
[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/eAnps5Dv.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/eAnps5Dv.png)

**Tags:** fusion360
> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: A screenshot of the snap connector could help in arriving at a suitable solution for you.  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2024-07-14. Score: 1 | Accepted answer

Short answer: Isolate the reusable body, and **Derive** it in subsequent designs.

Long answer: Save a copy of the source Fusion 360 document that has the best design of the part you wish to reuse. Saving a copy will preserve the parametric design chain in case we need it for alteration later.

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/B9kIeHzu.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/B9kIeHzu.png)

Within the copied design document, make what changes you need to isolate and clean up the reusable part, give it an obvious descriptive name and save your work.

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/TzuZvUJj.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/TzuZvUJj.png)

Now in any later design you can choose **Insert** > **Insert Derive**, choose your saved reusable part design document as the source of the derive and select your reusable part.

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/V0IhmOHt.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/V0IhmOHt.png)

You can then move and orient the part as needed for the new design.

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/65yXd1hB.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/65yXd1hB.png)

Caveats and considerations:

* By default derives are **Linked** back to the source design (indicated in
  the **Browser** tree by the rightward-pointing arrow next to the Body
  name). This means any alteration to the body in the source design will
  be reflected in documents that use the body as a Derive.
* If you need to make an alteration to a Derived body you have the
  option to **Break Link** to make an independently editable copy of
  the body, but consider making a copy and the desired changes in the
  ***source*** document for your Derive, this gives you the option of using the altered version later as well.

Disclaimer: I am a self-taught Fusion 360 (and CAD) user.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: That makes sense! Let me try that. Thanks.  

---

