topic Learning Form it User Interface in FormIt Forum

Learning Form it User Interface

Anonymous — Sun, 10 Sep 2017 23:19:40 GMT

Hi, I've been trying for two days trying to figure out how to use Form it and I simply can't figure it out (I'm used to AutoCAD and Fusion 360).

I've watched most of the videos but it doesn't seem to work for me. Is there an idiots guide to using it?

For example, how do I draw a straight line with a set dimension and a set angle to start of with? or a cube that I can shell to simulate a room of a house?

Re: Learning Form it User Interface

josh.goldstein — Fri, 15 Sep 2017 22:28:24 GMT

Hi Zakaria,

Which version of FormIt are you using (Windows / Web / iOS)?

You mention you've watched most of the videos, but below are a couple of snippets just in case. These videos show the Web application, but also apply to Windows. If you're using iOS or a touch-screen device, let me know as the touch interface is a little different.

3D Sketching + Snapping: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2uApfmCQYU

Rotate tool (includes placing a cube): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFdrxPUDJNc

Once you confirm your platform I'm happy to record a screencast of the actions you mention.

Thanks for reaching out.

Re: Learning Form it User Interface

Anonymous — Fri, 15 Sep 2017 23:12:40 GMT

Hi Josh,

I began to use the web version on my macbook Air, and then the IOS on an iPad Pro with the iPencil. The latter seemed to be easier, but I still can't work out how to draw a line without other things popping up, or snapping to a random location, and the square never works, only the sketch line.

Maybe I'm just having a little bitch here, but it's frustrating having to learn something new all over again when I'm already fluent with Fusion 360. And speaking of which, how come Autodesk don't make Fusion 360 (full version) for iPad Pro but they make Form it?

Is there a video that actually explains the best way to use Form it on a touch screen device?

I would like to learn how to use it on the iPad Pro.

Re: Learning Form it User Interface

josh.goldstein — Fri, 22 Sep 2017 23:09:44 GMT

Hi Zakaria,

Below is a video showing how to go about accomplishing the tasks you mentioned, on iOS:

- Start the Line tool by tapping the lower-left icon (Cube with a + sign), then selecting Line

- Draw the line by dragging your finger across the screen to define the start and end points - you can snap to the red/green axes for alignment

- Once the Line is drawn, you can set the length of it by tapping on the dimension box and typing in the desired length

- Select the line, press and hold your finger over the line to get the Context Menu, select the Rotate command

- Move the origin of the compass to the endpoint (optional if you want to modify the default rotation point), then grab the arrow to start rotating

- Set the rotation down somewhere (lift your finger up), then tap the dimension box to set the desired angle

- Drop a cube from the same menu in the lower left corner

- Drag your finger along the screen then release to set the cube

- Select the top face, press and hold to bring up the Context Menu

- Select the Offset command, and drag then release to set the Offset at some dimension

- Tap the dimension box to set the dimension to a specific number

- Tap off in the distance to deselect

- Select the newly-offset Face, then tap and drag it down to push it all the way through - effectively shelling the solid and creating walls

Video link: https://autodesk.box.com/s/3irv07acmk79w191ytucd74m5poerwi0

Let me know if you have trouble accessing the video.

iOS doesn't have our Advanced Modeling Tools, so the steps above show how to achieve the Shell command using Offset and Drag Face. However, our Web application does have the Shell tool, so here's how you can do it there:

- Drop a cube from the Primitives menu in the toolbar:

- Start the Shell tool from the Advanced Modeling toolbar:

- Specify the Shell distance. -1 (default value) means the outer shape stays the same size, and the wall thickness is added towards the inside. +1 means the entire shape will get 1' thicker on all sides.

- Select the top and bottom faces to remove them from the shell - so you'll get thickened vertical walls

- Click the checkmark/Finish button to execute the Shell:

Let us know if this helps.