topic Re: Get section properties in Fusion Design, Validate & Document Forum

Get section properties

brianwildes8 — Tue, 11 Oct 2016 23:35:57 GMT

Anyone know how to get surface or section properties such as moment of inertia and section modulus, without using the API? If i have to use the API, is there an easy way to use the API for non-programmers? Thanks!

Re: Get section properties

paul.clauss — Wed, 12 Oct 2016 18:57:41 GMT

Hi @brianwildes8,

Welcome to the Fusion 360 Forums! Thanks for posting!

To view the moment of inertia for a selected body, right click the body in the browser and select "Properties." This will bring up a dialogue box showing the basic physical properties (area, density, mass, volume) of the body as well as the Center of Mass, and Moment of Inertia.

Unfortunately, Fusion 360 does not currently provide section analysis data using this technique, so you will have to use the API. For more information on the API, I would suggest checking the API Forums. I also think that adding the ability to analyze section properties in more detail is a great idea to post to the Fusion 360 Ideastation, where users can submit and vote on ideas for future product features.

Please let me know if you have any other questions, I'm happy to help!

Re: Get section properties

brianwildes8 — Wed, 12 Oct 2016 19:08:57 GMT

That worked for moment of inertia. Thanks for your help!

It would still be nice to have torsional moment, etc, so I will post the suggestion.

Re: Get section properties

Anonymous — Wed, 03 May 2017 17:21:12 GMT

Sorry to ask an amateur question, but I don't understand the terminology. Can I get section properties (area) for a section view? Thanks.

Re: Get section properties

paul.clauss — Wed, 03 May 2017 18:18:12 GMT

Hi @Anonymous

Thanks for posting! Unfortunately you cannot measure the cut face of a section analysis in order to get it area. You can, however, use construction geometry to split the body and then measure the area of the cut face - I have shown this in the screencast below. Please let me know if you have any questions!

Re: Get section properties

Anonymous — Wed, 03 May 2017 19:09:08 GMT

Thanks, Paul. I will try it tonight. I have never used a "split body". What is the purpose, other than this?

Re: Get section properties

paul.clauss — Wed, 03 May 2017 20:17:42 GMT

Hi @Anonymous

The Split Body command can be used for many purposes like making molds and creating interlocking parts. It is also used in many surface modeling workflows. There are many tons of other potential uses for the Split Bodies tool as well. I would also recommend experimenting with the Split Faces tool as well!

Re: Get section properties

Anonymous — Thu, 04 May 2017 21:39:44 GMT

Still struggling. I created a cylinder. Added an intersecting plane. Split the body. Hid one part. Used measure - selected the plane and the face on the plane. (It didn't produce results the first results the first few times.) When I got results, the results, the area is not correct. Any suggestions?

Re: Get section properties

Anonymous — Thu, 04 May 2017 21:59:56 GMT

Sorry, I should read what I type. I have a correct area now. I am not sure why I get different results on different trials. And it doesn't always show the area and length. The measure window is there, but not the area and length. I keep turning things on and off and it will appear.

Re: Get section properties

paul.clauss — Thu, 04 May 2017 22:03:03 GMT

Hi @Anonymous

I am unsure of why you have been getting an incorrect result. Are you certain that the plane is positioned at the correct place and angle? It may help if you could attach some screenshots showing the face you are trying to measure or create a screencast showing the difficulties you are experiencing. You could also provide a description of your intended workflow and share the design with me - I am happy to have a look!

Re: Get section properties

apapangelakis — Sat, 24 May 2025 02:46:11 GMT

Hello @paul.clauss ,

I have tried to use this technique in order to get structural properties of the remaining parts, i.e. mass, moment of inertia, etc.

I would expect these to come about, since I have a material assigned to the sphere and the selection filter is 'bodies'.

This however is not the case, I actually get no results.

Could you please advise a way to go about this?

Sincerely,

Aris