topic Making several objects from one sketch but slightly modifying it between. in Fusion Design, Validate & Document Forum

Making several objects from one sketch but slightly modifying it between.

patrik74 — Thu, 20 Apr 2017 18:54:07 GMT

Hi all

Im moving up from creating my sketches in Inkscape and extruding them and making toolpaths in Fusion 360, to actually starting to use Fusion as its intended to be used.

So im still very much a newbie.

What im now trying to do, is to model a set of letter blocks, the kind we all used to play with as kids.

Im probably going at it the wrong way, but i figure that there must be a way to do one sketch, extrude it, change the letter and then extrude the next block, without having to do a new sketch for every letter.

While im at it, when i was thinking about how to do this, i came up with the idea to make each letter into a component that u could use as a stamp to stick to each side of the cube and then cut the pattern out.

but to be able to do this i have to flip (or mirror) the "stamp".

So in conclusion;

Is it possible to make several obejts out of one sketch that is slightly altered in between?

How do you mirror an object without the mirrored part dissapearing when i delete the original (or simply flip the object)?

I hope i make sense. English is not my native language so typing my thoughts pose a problem sometimes.

Thanks

Patrik

Re: Making several objects from one sketch but slightly modifying it between.

etfrench — Thu, 20 Apr 2017 19:23:20 GMT

You can do this in Direct Modeling mode (Right click on the topmost item in the browser and select 'Do not capture Design History' from the context menu). However, for this project it would not be a good idea. You will lose the definitions for the previous extruded bodies/components when you edit the sketch. In Timeline mode when you edit the original sketch, the extruded bodies/components change with the edits. It would be best to just create a sketch for each letter. If you want to reduce clutter in the block file, then create each letter as an individual file and just copy the six needed for the block.

For mirrored bodies and components, just turn the visibility of the original off. It's not necessary to delete it.

Re: Making several objects from one sketch but slightly modifying it between.

patrik74 — Thu, 20 Apr 2017 20:39:34 GMT

Thanks for the reply.

One sketch for each letter it is then.

I dont have to delete the original? My OCD begs to differ 😉

I guess ill have to live with hidden copies (or stop being lazy and do a few extra steps) 😄

/Patrik

Re: Making several objects from one sketch but slightly modifying it between.

etfrench — Thu, 20 Apr 2017 23:23:58 GMT

I'm not sure why you need to mirror the letters unless you're making molds.

Here's what I think you're doing:

You can use a circular pattern to copy the features to the other faces of the cube.

Re: Making several objects from one sketch but slightly modifying it between.

patrik74 — Fri, 21 Apr 2017 08:15:39 GMT

Yes, thats pretty much the method i have been using.

As for your question about using a mold;

I plan on making 10+ blocks in my cnc mill. Maybe more.. And with different letter setup on each.

My initial plan was to make a mold of each letter, put it on the letterblock and cut.

My new approach is to have each letter as a component and simply copy and add to the face of the cube im working on.

Thanks for the vid, i have to configure my fusion to look more like your. Your setup seems more efficient than the stock look of fusion. 🙂