Cura: Auto export from AutoCAD Fusion 360 to Cura 4.4 not working

[luisguevarap]

Application version
4.4.0

Platform
Windows 10
Printer
Creality 10S

Reproduction steps

1. Using model export feature in AutoCAD Fusion360 to export to Cura
2. Until version 4.4 the export feature in AutoCAD Fusion360 would automatically open Cura and automatically open the file ready for positioning and slicing.

Actual results
Now nothing happens. I have to export and .STL file to folder then open Cura and open the file. A lot of extra steps.

Expected results
Should automatically open Cura and automatically load the file into Cura

Additional information
(Extra information relevant to the issue, like screenshots. Don't forget to attach the log files with this issue report.)

[rburema]

It seems to me that its AutoCAD's repsonsibility to open Cura. Cura can't open itself when it's not running after all.

There might still be something we'd be able to do, but the search has to start on their side of things. Especially since Cura still opens with the right model when I give it the .stl as an argument from the command line.

[luisguevarap]

Thank you.

I found this from a previous change in version. I have notified Autodesk Fusion 360 folks.

Fusion360 attempts to find Cura by looking in the registry at

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCura STL model fileshellopencommand

That's not where Cura 3.1 stores its registry information. The key is now called

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCura.model.STLshellopencommand

You can see this in their installer script at: https://github.com/Ultimaker/cura-build/blob/48a17f307a65f558674a1e1ab5c4bb977bfc129f/cmake/NSIS.template.in#L548-L554 https://github.com/Ultimaker/cura-build/blob/48a17f307a65f558674a1e1ab5c4bb977bfc129f/cmake/NSIS.tem...

By default, this key does not have the --single-instance flag. Attempting to add the flag to the registry does not help. If it is after the "%1" value, Fusion360 will ignore it and call Cura without the flag. If it is before the "%1" flag, Fusion360 will fail to launch Cura.

In short, Fusion360 needs to change its Cura integration code to

1.) Obtain the location of Cura from the registry key used by current versions (Cura.model.STL instead of Cura STL model file)

2.) Append " --single-instance" to the value retrieved from the registry when invoking Cura.

That should be an easy fix for the Autodesk folks to make.

Luis Watts

[rburema]

Thanks for putting in some legwork of your own! I don't know them, but I know I'm always happy when I get a report that clear.

(Closing this now, as we can't do anything about it.)

[Matioupi]

Just as a follow up, I posted a report on Fusion 360 forum about this buf that I'm also facing :

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/fusion-360-support/fusion-360-not-starting-cura-4-4/td-p/9229529

[jdzawodniak]

A work-around:
One can use the Fusion 360 - 3D Print - Print Utility "Custom" function to automate the launch of Cura. Simply point the Application dialog to the Cura.exe (C:Program FilesUltimaker Cura 4.4cura.exe)

Then select the body as usual and hit ok.