Difference between revisions of "Workshop: Introduction to 3D CAD (with Fusion 360)"

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<h3>Create a Normal Sketch Plane</h3>
 
<h3>Create a Normal Sketch Plane</h3>
<p>Press the '''Create Sketch''' button in the top left of the tool bar.  Then select the plane on which you would like to create a sketch.  If there are no components to select a plane from, you must select a plane from the 3D space (X plane, Y plane, Z plane). It may be helpful to choose the initial orientation that best suits your preferences and your project.  For example, if the component is relatively long and flat, it may be useful to start on the Z plane.  In this scenario, you will create the sketch of the bottom or top surface.</p>  
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<p>Press the '''Create Sketch''' button in the top left of the tool bar.  Then select the plane on which you would like to create a sketch.  If there are no components to select a plane from, you must select a plane from the 3D space (X plane, Y plane, Z plane). It may be helpful to choose the initial orientation that best suits your preferences and your project.  For example, if the component is relatively long and flat, it may be useful to start on the Z plane.  In this scenario, you will create the sketch of the bottom or top surface.  
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[[File:Sketch planes.png|200px|thumb|right|Example of Sketch Planes]]</p>  
  
[[File:Sketch planes.png|200px|thumb|right|Example of Sketch Planes]]
 
  
 
If you'd like to create a sketch from a component that already exists, press the '''Create Sketch ''' button and select the surface of the component you'd like to make a sketch plane from.  The surface will be highlighted a light yellow color.  Sketch planes '''must be created from a 2D plane'''.  In other words, the surface you choose must be flat if you do not create additional planes.  To see advanced information about planes, see the appropriate Wiki page.     
 
If you'd like to create a sketch from a component that already exists, press the '''Create Sketch ''' button and select the surface of the component you'd like to make a sketch plane from.  The surface will be highlighted a light yellow color.  Sketch planes '''must be created from a 2D plane'''.  In other words, the surface you choose must be flat if you do not create additional planes.  To see advanced information about planes, see the appropriate Wiki page.     

Revision as of 22:25, 15 February 2018

Fusion 360 is a computer-assisted design software package. It is parametric, which means that you can always go back and change parameters and the entire design will update to match. This wiki page is in no way exhausting, therefore be sure to check out the help button in the top right of the Fusion 360


Typical workflow

  1. Create a sketch
  2. Extrude the sketch
  3. Modify body
  4. Export


Creating a sketch

Create a Normal Sketch Plane

Press the Create Sketch button in the top left of the tool bar. Then select the plane on which you would like to create a sketch. If there are no components to select a plane from, you must select a plane from the 3D space (X plane, Y plane, Z plane). It may be helpful to choose the initial orientation that best suits your preferences and your project. For example, if the component is relatively long and flat, it may be useful to start on the Z plane. In this scenario, you will create the sketch of the bottom or top surface.

Example of Sketch Planes


If you'd like to create a sketch from a component that already exists, press the Create Sketch button and select the surface of the component you'd like to make a sketch plane from. The surface will be highlighted a light yellow color. Sketch planes must be created from a 2D plane. In other words, the surface you choose must be flat if you do not create additional planes. To see advanced information about planes, see the appropriate Wiki page.

Drawing

Lines

Perhaps as a starting exercise, create a simple shape on your newly made sketch plane. There are four main ways of selecting the line tool.

  1. Press the L key
  2. Click the line icon in the tool bar.
  3. Select line from the SKETCH drop down menu in the tool bar.
  4. Right click on a sketch to access the option wheel, then hover over sketch and then line with the mouse.

Select the line tool and draw a simple line. By default, you can see that the units are millimeters. Additionally, the dimension box is highlighted so any number typed while making the line changes the dimension instantly. Type in "5 in" and see what happens.
Fusion 360 interprets the inches as a unit of distance and converts it into millimeters. Although it is advised to use the metric system for ease of calculations, make sure you consider the tools you are using as well as any other software before making a definite decision on measurement units. Make a 100 mm x 100mm in square with these lines. Notice that the surface grid is also measured in mm. Also note that every left click creates a new line segment. To stop, either create a completed shape (denoted by an orange-colored fill) or right click and select Cancel on the option wheel.

If you started your square from the origin (0,0 on the sketch plane), you will notice that the two lines touching the origin are constrained (denoted by a black color). Conversely, the two lines not touching the origin are not constrained (denoted by a blue color). Constraints are characteristics of your sketch objects that limit movement and change. For example, if I give a line a vertical constraint, no further actions will change the orientation of that line. It will remain vertical. Logically, a sketch or shape is fully constrained when there can be no movement in the 2D space from further actions. Any attempt to move the sketch will move the entirety as long as it is not constrained to the origin. In order to learn the specifics of constraints (highly recommended) please visit the Constraints Wikipage.

Specifying Dimensions

  1. Apply constraints
  2. Finish sketch

Extruding a sketch

  1. Select sketch
  2. Select parameters
  3. Finish


Modifying bodies

  1. Fillets/chamfers
  2. Combining bodies


Exporting

  1. Select object
  2. Select destination
  3. Export

In order to 3D print your design, the file must ideally be saved as an STL file. STL was not originally an acronym (several backronyms have been formed), although it is a shorthand for stereo-lithography CAD (computer assisted design). The STL file converts the design into a huge amount of tiny triangles. For more information visit the wikipedia page on STL files.

To save the design as a STL file, you can press the icon in the toolbar representing a 3D printer, above MAKE. After pressing the icon, the settings window pops up. It is recommended you keep the refinement HIGH and you do not send the file to any printing utility. Simply click OK and then determine where you want the file to be saved.

Other Sources