topic Re: Edit dimensions of a body? in Fusion Design, Validate & Document Forum

Edit dimensions of a body?

tonberryhunter — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 04:32:25 GMT

Alright I'm still in the process of adapting my workflow after switching from 123D to Fusion 360.

One of my biggest frustrations is not being able to re-size bodies on the fly with a function like Smart Scale from 123D. I have been doing it in a roundabout way by measuring the object I want to resize then doing math to find my size difference and press in pull my object to the new size. Way more steps to get the same result that used to take me seconds before.

Fusion is forcing me to design by using sketches which so far has not been at all intuitive to me. Also I find that whenever I want to edit any dimensions its easier to just remake the object sometimes which seems counter productive.

I also miss being able to simply click on an object twice to switch between face edits and object edits.

Re: Edit dimensions of a body?

davebYYPCU — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 04:46:13 GMT

Fusion is powerfully different,

to resist use of the sketch will be creating more trouble than - just going with it.

Treat sketches like a cross section, then the body tools are for the length / angle dimension.

one sketch per feature, leave the complicated until you have caught up....

Good luck...

Re: Edit dimensions of a body?

tonberryhunter — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 04:46:39 GMT

Also miss my magnet tool and easier to use alignment tool.

Re: Edit dimensions of a body?

tonberryhunter — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 04:55:10 GMT

Sure sketches are great for certain things but when I quickly want to edit the dimensions of a solid object I cant. Why there isnt a way to do this is beyond me. It wouldn't be detrimental to any other part of the software.

I cant really afford to completely start from scratch I'm trying to get this design done. I keep switching between 123D and exporting .step files between the two programs to get things done. Its been a nightmare.

I have been rebuilding this mode below off of my 123D files. I'm not terribly green when it comes to designing things I just learned the wrong way according to Fusion 360 and most CAD I would imagine.

I got really good and efficient at designing everything out of blocks and various objects. Much like a sculptor makes things out of clay or wood. I'm an artist first engineer second.

Re: Edit dimensions of a body?

davebYYPCU — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 05:12:33 GMT

Context is all important, A parametric CAD program needs parameters to alter,

Using STEP files - yup, no sketches or dimensions to update, no wonder your in some difficulty.

You certainly know how to make it harder than it should be.

Re: Edit dimensions of a body?

TrippyLighting — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 11:25:00 GMT

If you prefer to use direct modeling techniques, then try to turn off the timeline. When you import geometry into a new mode, by default it's turned off anyway.

Here is a link to a Autodesk University class recording.

Re: Edit dimensions of a body?

lichtzeichenanlage — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 13:00:11 GMT

If you have more than more part, component, body (however you would call it) don't go for bodies only. Use components. No need for move or align commands. This is called Rule #1 in Fusion 360

Re: Edit dimensions of a body?

chrisplyler — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 15:28:47 GMT

Okay, my example doesn't have the complexity of your model. Of course you would need to start adding more details. I'm just not going that far to make my explanation. I'm just going with the first, simple, boxy shape, and showing you how it is set up with sketches and how resizing it works.

What's easier: Picking the objects you want to resize, or just changing an existing sketch dimension?

Once you figure out the philosophy of how Fusion is designed to work, you won't be complaining any more.

Re: Edit dimensions of a body?

Anonymous — Sun, 15 Dec 2019 21:09:33 GMT

I am just learning Fusion 360 and had the same question, and it turns out that you can edit the dimensions of each object. It is just not obvious which menu item to select. The second half of this video shows you how to do this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31OpYAL-Ez8.

The basic steps are 1. Highlight the object you want to change. 2. Select "Change Parameters" from the Modify menu. 3. Expand the model drop-down list and find the dimension you want to change.

As a side note, you must have Design History enabled for the Change Parameter menu item to appear. (Design History is enabled by default, but if you happen to turn that off, the Change Parameter menu item disappears.)

Re: Edit dimensions of a body?

TrippyLighting — Sun, 15 Dec 2019 21:16:28 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:

The basic steps are 1. Highlight the object you want to change. 2. Select "Change Parameters" from the Modify menu. 3. Expand the model drop-down list and find the dimension you want to change.

You can don that. But it probably is the least efficient way to change dimensions 😉

Each feature in the timeline can be edited. Either double-click on it , or right click and select "edit".

That brings up the original parameter dialogue.

The timeline and the browser contain features for the sketches and it is much easier to edit the dimension in a sketch than to track down the parameter in a list.

Re: Edit dimensions of a body?

Anonymous — Sun, 15 Dec 2019 21:26:31 GMT

Thanks, Peter.

Re: Edit dimensions of a body?

lichtzeichenanlage — Sun, 15 Dec 2019 22:49:45 GMT

Naming your stuff makes it easier to find features in the timeline or in the parameter window. If you edit an already existing part, you might want to travel back in time to keeps things together - if possible. Using components adds a grouping / filter criteria to organize your project.

In addition to double clicking the feature in the timeline or editing the sketch in the browser you are also able to right-click the body and than use edit feature. In most cases it will show you the edit dialog or a list of features followed by the edit dialog.

Here are some examples how to do it:

Re: Edit dimensions of a body?

Anonymous — Mon, 16 Dec 2019 15:53:30 GMT

Awesome! Thanks for the great tips. I really appreciate it.

Re: Edit dimensions of a body?

TheCADWhisperer — Mon, 16 Dec 2019 17:50:46 GMT

@tonberryhunter

It would be interesting to hear about development of your techniques, now 10 months later.

Re: Edit dimensions of a body?

tonberryhunter — Tue, 17 Dec 2019 07:57:31 GMT

Doing quite well CADWhisperer. Still dont use parametric modelling (except for PCBs) but I am getting along much better now that I use the software daily. Getting more comfortable with sketches but still don't use them always. Really depends on what I'm trying to model. I've designed PCBs in conjunction with Eagle as well. The pcb integration while clunky at times really helps with layout and visualization. Some of my recent work below.

Design in F360 print Form 2

Designed in F360 printed with Form 2Large PCB and various components designed with Fusion and Eagle.View of pcb layout in Eagle.

Modeled in F360 render KeyshotModeled in F360 render KeyshotModeled in F360 printed with a Form 2Modeled in F360 printed with a Form 2Modeled in F360 printed with a Form 2

Re: Edit dimensions of a body?

TrippyLighting — Tue, 17 Dec 2019 11:03:59 GMT

That is some impressie work, particularly considering that you don't use parametric modeling!

Re: Edit dimensions of a body?

Anonymous — Tue, 08 Sep 2020 05:41:28 GMT

Very helpful info! Thank you @Anonymous

Re: Edit dimensions of a body?

johncombellick — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 23:58:28 GMT

It is also profound to me that for any body (or component) I select, there isn't just a informational window that pops up with the dimensions, x,y,z, and then it lets me edit those dimensions by typing in new dimensions... how is it not that simple?! Ignore all the noise in this thread. Just delete your body and create a new one. This is without a doubt the fastest and easiest way to change your body dimensions. Going modify>>change parameters>>locating the step in your history>>expanding>>editing dimensions is a joke. Like O.P., I can't imagine why autodesk chose this design approach other than just to either 1. enable all the smarty pants like the ones that showed up in this thread to show up in threads and sound smart ("well, actually...") or 2. a bizarre adherence to strange, archaic norms (i.e. the opposite of innovation or good UX). Yes, I can figure out how to do it. Yes, Autodesk provided a way to do it. No, the way autodesk chose to solve this remarkably common need is not smart.

Re: Edit dimensions of a body?

TheCADWhisperer — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 01:51:31 GMT

@johncombellick

Can you File>Export your *.f3d file to your local drive and then Attach it here to a Reply?

Re: Edit dimensions of a body?

rwallaceXJ5CR — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 18:10:47 GMT

I watch coworkers that use solidworks fly thru modications because SW does pop up editable parameters automatically. Being a mac user I have to use Fusion, but jumping thru hoops wears me out.