Fusion 360 sketching.

[Misterg]

What I tend to do in real life is measure an existing object and define its location with a dimension from a random point or edge.

Do the same in your F360 sketch (ideally use a sensible choice of edge or point as a reference - or draw in the references you want as construction lines; e.g. centre lines or lines of symmetry, etc.)

Stepping back from an object you have scribbled down is tricky for me because I see no easy way to establish quickly exactly what it was you did to make it.

The answer to that is this:

Also need to get my head around the "timeline" at the bottom which is a list of what you did and the "parts list" at the side which I think is a list of what you've got. It's still an unconnected random assortment of unfathomable symbols

The timeline will include the sketches that have been used to create the object. Hover over the symbols and you will find out which ones are sketches. Right click on one and choose ‘Edit Sketch’ and you’re back at the stage where you created the sketch. Any changes will ripple through through the design.

WRT holes: if there is more than one, I usually create a ‘Point’ in a sketch for each hole centre. This can be a new sketch on a face of the part or you can incorporate them in the sketch that defines the part (by default, sketches are set to hidden after they’ve been ‘used’ once. If you want to reference them again, you need to expand the ‘ ‘shopping list’ at the side of the screen and click the ‘eye’ symbol next to the sketch.)

When you want holes, just select all of the relevant points and the same hole definition can be applied to all of them at once.

It *is* a steep learning curve (not just F360, but any 3D CAD). I think the biggest thing is getting out of the ‘drawing’ mindset and into an ‘object’ mindset. Sketchup does not help with this- obviously YMMV!

 

[indy4x]

Yup. I think it is as much to do with the language - what objects and strategies are called in the program as it is to do with the tools available.

For example, to answer my own question above; you can create a square (for my light switch) with lines, a two point or three point rectangle OR start by defining the centre of the square. It seems the shape is then permanently defined by whichever construction process was used and that carries forwards during the lifetime of the model.

Defining everything from an origin would make it easier to create the mounting holes in the right place because you place them on a grid. What I tend to do in real life is measure an existing object and define its location with a dimension from a random point or edge. While that is doable (with a lot of faff), my reference point might be on some unreachable layer or sketch. So to create a facsimile from real world measurements, my process seems cumbersome and there is quite likely an entire section in Fusion I haven't discovered yet which speeds things up.

Speed is essential because I use sketchup to design things; move a 3d object out of my head and create a model so I can see how it can be constructed. Like I am making it up as I go and seeing how it looks affects what I want to do next. Fusion seems to operate from a principle that you know exactly what you want and how it is constructed.

Stepping back from an object you have scribbled down is tricky for me because I see no easy way to establish quickly exactly what it was you did to make it. What type of square is it, how did you define its centre, what are the constraints etc. Clearly this complexity is a useful (essential) feature for parametric modelling so it's really just a steep learning curve and (for me) an equally tricky unlearning curve.

I think once you have a grasp on the full set of definable objects and their available options, it will be easier to navigate the process. At the moment each and every object is a unique instance of a thing. I'm using everything for the first time so that even if I learn a procedure, I need to learn another one to do the next thing.

Also need to get my head around the "timeline" at the bottom which is a list of what you did and the "parts list" at the side which I think is a list of what you've got. It's still an unconnected random assortment of unfathomable symbols and I'm lost without cut and paste! What gets me most is the "move" command where nothing ever seems to actually move!

When I do stuff in Inventor, once my basic starting shape is constructed I add features such as holes etc and dimension these off a reference point on the drawing, if its a box then I'll dimension the hole from 2 of the edges

You can resize the original box and the holes you have added will move with the object. If you have specified a hole 10mm from the edge then after resizing they will still be 10mm from the edge

If you want to draw something e.g. a combination spanner, you can do this in Inventor (I assume 360 is similar) then you can use table driven features so you create 1 drawing but use formulas to specify the whole component.

This makes the drawing more challenging to produce but once done you can pull up the drawing you made e.g. a 10mm combination spanner, change 1 dimension value to say 17mm and the whole object will redraw to give you a correctly dimensioned 17mm combination spanner

 

[mike os]

ive just checked and i still have fusion installed... if i can find some screen capture sw i will do a couple of basic tutorials

 

[Misterg]

Oh, and don’t use the ‘Move’ command to line things up. If you want to align parts, create a ‘Joint’ between them (under ‘Assemble’).

 

[Screwdriver]

Oh, and don’t use the ‘Move’ command to line things up. If you want to align parts, create a ‘Joint’ between them (under ‘Assemble’).

I think that tip might have just opened a whole new world...

 

[mike os]

Move has its uses but use the basic tools first

 

[mike os]

here's a basic part being made, hopefully it will help. No idea if this will work.... first time i've done this LOL

 

[Screwdriver]

Move has its uses but use the basic tools first

That also reveals the chasm between Sketchup and Fusion. Moving things or copy/paste doesn't even get more basic. So if "move" is not an entry level basic function, I am still floundering with the underlying concepts behind Fusion.

Diving into the details is relatively easy, even for me but I need a wider holistic view to understand how the entire workflow is geared the way it is iyswim.

My guess is that will come with time.

I made this in Fusion some time ago (it's too fiddly for Sketchup):

So I'm not a complete noob, just that I can't play it like I can with Sketchup where I am thinking out loud and designing/sketching as I go. The above is an isolating mount for an AGK shotgun mic. I remember it now because I need to reprint it in flexible filament.

 

[mike os]

That also reveals the chasm between Sketchup and Fusion. Moving things or copy/paste doesn't even get more basic. So if "move" is not an entry level basic function, I am still floundering with the underlying concepts behind Fusion.

Diving into the details is relatively easy, even for me but I need a wider holistic view to understand how the entire workflow is geared the way it is iyswim.

My guess is that will come with time.

I made this in Fusion some time ago (it's too fiddly for Sketchup):

So I'm not a complete noob, just that I can't play it like I can with Sketchup where I am thinking out loud and designing/sketching as I go. The above is an isolating mount for an AGK shotgun mic. I remember it now because I need to reprint it in flexible filament.

move is a sledgehammer, it does things without consideration of relationships, (it usually breaks constraints) constrain commands create persistent relationships between parts allowing them to behave in predictable ways

 

[mike os]

Creating a drawing from a part

 

[Screwdriver]

move is a sledgehammer, it does things without consideration of relationships, (it usually breaks constraints) constrain commands create persistent relationships between parts allowing them to behave in predictable ways

That is a feature I need to get my head around. I remember having some difficulty in rotating one of those mounting lugs on the mic mount. Just couldn't find a sensible tool or sensible option...

<edit> neither of your videos is showing up for me btw.

 

[mike os]

That is a feature I need to get my head around. I remember having some difficulty in rotating one of those mounting lugs on the mic mount. Just couldn't find a sensible tool or sensible option...

<edit> neither of your videos is showing up for me btw.

security settings on YT... told you i dont know what im doing......

 

[ukracer]

It *is* a steep learning curve (not just F360, but any 3D CAD). I think the biggest thing is getting out of the ‘drawing’ mindset and into an ‘object’ mindset. Sketchup does not help with this- obviously YMMV!

I am not sure what that means but as I am crap at drawing doing this object thing might help me..lol

 

[ukracer]

ive just checked and i still have fusion installed... if i can find some screen capture sw i will do a couple of basic tutorials

hood used this. not sure what the free version is like..

ScreenHunter Free for Windows - Free download and software reviews - CNET Download

Download ScreenHunter Free latest version for Windows free to try. ScreenHunter Free latest update: December 19, 2022

download.cnet.com

 

[mike os]

hood used this. not sure what the free version is like..

ScreenHunter Free for Windows - Free download and software reviews - CNET Download

Download ScreenHunter Free latest version for Windows free to try. ScreenHunter Free latest update: December 19, 2022

download.cnet.com

I found something…. See above

 

[ukracer]

I found something…. See above

you have subscriber.. ..perhaps we cant get you as many as @doubleboost Thanks for your efforts. I might not be able to get much done tonight as my wife is really strugging with her hip. But will try after I cook some food.

 

[mike os]

you have subscriber.. ..perhaps we cant get you as many as @doubleboost Thanks for your efforts. I might not be able to get much done tonight as my wife is really strugging with her hip. But will try after I cook some food.

Now I know they work i can do more when needed

 

[Screwdriver]

Now I know they work i can do more when needed

Learned a bit off both thanks. Linking dimension and an entire new area with the isometric views! No idea it did that. I assume the two views of the same model are also linked so that a change in one changes the other?

 

[mike os]

Learned a bit off both thanks. Linking dimension and an entire new area with the isometric views! No idea it did that. I assume the two views of the same model are also linked so that a change in one changes the other?

Correct

parametric models are driven by the dimensions/parameters

in autodesk the view cube is your saviour, learn to use it and the tools under the right click

 

[bricol]

When you create in 3D CAd, don't put too much info in your initial sketches. IT makes it more complicate and harder to work with later.

For instance, a simple pipe flange - you could sketch a circle for the outside diameter, another circle for the inside diameter then a number of circles for the bolts holes. Extrude the lot in one go, job done in one move - a circular pipe flange with some holes in for bolts.
But maybe you want a different number of bolt holes? Or different size? Or even blind holes. Or no central hole as its blank flange.

So maybe sketch the OD, extrude - so you have in effect a solid cylinder.

A new Sketch a circle for the ID, extrude to cut/subtract. Or use the "hole" command if you have one, select the centre point, put in hole size.

A new Sketch to position the bolt hole - either sketch a circle in the right place to extrude and cut/subtract, or a point to then use the hole command.

The "pattern" or "array" the bolt hole around.

So now you can make a all variations on as flange easily.

When you do more complicated components, separate sketches for separate operations makes it much much easier to understand.