How to Design a 3D-Printable Lampshade Using Fusion (Formerly Fusion 360)

Looking for a unique 3D printing project that actually benefits from the capabilities of additive manufacturing? This step-by-step Fusion tutorial shows you how to design a customizable lampshade using surface modeling tools—perfect for intermediate users or those ready to explore beyond solid modeling.

👉 The full video tutorial is embedded at the end of this post.

Fusion—formerly known as Fusion 360—makes this workflow flexible, fast, and fun. Throughout the design, you’ll also see handy keyboard shortcuts in the bottom left corner of the video.

Step 1: Start with a New Component

Every good Fusion project starts with a new component. It keeps your design organized and makes it easier to reuse or update parts later.

We begin on the vertical construction plane using a Fit Point Spline. It’s a flexible sketch tool great for organic shapes like this lampshade. But don’t feel limited—lines, arcs, and conic curves work too.

For this example, the bottom radius is set to 25 mm, giving us a 50 mm diameter. Remember, this is about learning the workflow—you can scale the design later to fit your lamp or light fixture.

Step 2: Revolve the Spline with Surface Modeling

Since our spline creates an open profile, we’ll use the Surface > Revolve command. Setting the Extent Type to Full gives us a clean 360-degree shape. It helps to keep your sketch centered on the origin—this ensures your model revolves symmetrically.

Step 3: Split the Surface into Sections

Next, we sketch two vertical lines that will become split surfaces. These lines determine where the lampshade's pattern and color segments will go.

Using the Surface > Extrude command with the Symmetric direction makes sure the surfaces intersect cleanly through the lampshade. We’ll use these surfaces in the Split Body tool to divide the model into three parts.

After splitting, you’ll find multiple bodies in the browser. It’s good practice to rename them for clarity—but in this tutorial, we’re focusing on speed.

Step 4: Create the Pattern Foundation

To generate the decorative pattern, we sketch another spline above the top edge of the lampshade. This technique—called oversketching—lets us extend curves beyond the model and trim them down later.

Once the sketch is ready, we extrude it using Surface Extrude and then mirror it to create a symmetrical pair. Make sure to use a construction plane as your mirror reference.

Switching the operation to New Body allows us to keep the shapes separate, which is helpful for assigning appearances and using them as tools in later operations.

Step 5: Intersect for the Pattern Cutout

With the mirrored shapes in place, we’ll intersect them with one of the surface bodies. This trims everything down to just the decorative pattern.

Only the intersecting section remains, giving us the exact pattern we’ll thicken and repeat around the lampshade. This approach is great for creating clean, editable geometry for 3D printing.

Step 6: Thicken the Surfaces into Solids

Next up: Thicken each surface into a printable solid. Do this one at a time to avoid confusion—Fusion tends to interpret the first selection as the direction for thickening.

Once everything looks right from multiple angles, it's a good time to apply custom colors.

Step 7: Apply Custom Colors for a Realistic Render

Fusion lets you create custom colors using HEX or RGB codes. Choose a base material like glossy plastic, then adjust the color settings in the advanced menu.

Want a clean, modern look? Try using HEX codes from popular color palettes—like #A8DADC for a soft pastel blue.

You can duplicate and tweak colors without resetting your material, making it easy to experiment.

Step 8: Create the Circular Pattern

The real visual impact comes when you pattern your shapes around the lampshade.

Use the Circular Pattern tool, select the bodies, and choose the central axis (which should already be aligned with the Z-axis). Try different quantities—12, 16, or more—to find a look you love.

Step 9: Final Touch – Pull the Top for a Hanging Lamp

As a final tweak, we’ll pull the top of the lampshade upward to make room for a cable or hanging hook. Just be sure to test the printability based on your specific printer and settings.

Watch the Full Tutorial Video

Want to see the entire design process in action, with tips on navigation, shortcuts, and modeling strategy?

🎥 Watch the full Fusion tutorial video below:
Chapters:
00:07 How to Create a New Component in Fusion (Beginner Guide)

00:21 How to Start a Sketch in Fusion – Quick & Easy

00:31 Mastering Splines in Fusion – Smooth Curve Design

01:14 How to Use the Revolve Tool in Fusion for Smooth Shapes

01:42 How to Split a Surface Body in Fusion – Step-by-Step

03:50 Creating a Lampshade Pattern in Fusion for 3D Printing

05:35 How to Extrude a Spline in Fusion – Pro Tips

05:45 How to Thicken a Surface in Fusion – Solid Modeling Guide

06:07 How to Mirror a Solid Body in Fusion – Fast & Simple

07:03 How to Intersect a Surface and Solid Body in Fusion

07:55 Thickening Multiple Surfaces in Fusion – Best Practices

08:51 Applying Custom Appearances in Fusion – Realistic Materials

10:40 How to Add Version Descriptions When Saving in Fusion

10:50 Creating a Circular Pattern in Fusion – Easy Repetitions

11:19 How to Pull a Solid Body in Fusion – Quick Edits

Final Thoughts

This lampshade is more than a cool 3D print—it’s a masterclass in using surface modeling in Fusion, understanding the timeline, and building a workflow you can reuse in endless ways.

If you enjoyed this project, consider subscribing to the channel for more Fusion modeling and 3D printing tutorials. New projects are posted regularly!