topic How do I create relations between dimensions? in Fusion Design, Validate & Document Forum

How do I create relations between dimensions?

Anonymous — Wed, 03 Aug 2016 18:01:57 GMT

How do I create relations between dimensions? I want a bunch of dimensions to be linked so that if I change one, they all change.

Re: How do I create relations between dimensions?

Anonymous — Wed, 03 Aug 2016 19:29:49 GMT

To me the best way to do this is through user parameters. To get to user parameters go to the "modify" drop down and click "change parameters". This will pull up a dialogue box that you can input a name of a dimension and then give it a value. This way when you are putting dimensions on your sketches and features, you can type in the name of the parameter and change the value at anytime in the user parameters dialogue box. I am not at my computer so I can't show a screencast but I hope this helps!

Re: How do I create relations between dimensions?

Anonymous — Wed, 03 Aug 2016 20:22:00 GMT

Seems a little restricted. Can I enter equations if I wanted, with sketch dimensions as inputs?

Re: How do I create relations between dimensions?

Anonymous — Wed, 03 Aug 2016 20:35:57 GMT

I have never found them to be restrictive. I have some models using 200 user parameters and other using around 50 that I can place into an assembly and link the parameters together to drive one part from another. For me they have been the largest time saver and my most powerful tool. They can have equations and I think you can use sketch dimensions. This link should help a bit.

http://fusion360.autodesk.com/learning/learning.html?guid=GUID-76272551-3275-46C4-AE4D-10D58B408C20

Re: How do I create relations between dimensions?

Anonymous — Wed, 03 Aug 2016 20:39:37 GMT

Thanks, I will look into that link.

Re: How do I create relations between dimensions?

Anonymous — Wed, 03 Aug 2016 20:41:21 GMT

I don't have the ability to do a screencast at the moment but when I do I can post an example of how they are used.

Re: How do I create relations between dimensions?

JamieGilchrist — Wed, 03 Aug 2016 20:54:10 GMT

Matthew_Curran is correct, Parameters is the way to do it if you're wanting to manage a large number of relationships between parameters the parameter dialog is necessary.

Another simple way to use parameters is take a look at the parameter name, in this case the dimension "d1" is the parameter name for this first dimension

You can create equations right in your input fields referencing the parameter name, without having to go to the Parameter dialog.

here is a very simple example where the height dimension is set using an equation referencing the first "d1" dimension (notice the prefix of "fx" in the dimension, indicating an equation/parameter is used)

So this is all in canvas interactions you can do, because the inputs of dimensions are captured as parameters, d1, d2...

And if you look in the parameters dialog, you'll see these equations and relationships are captured and can be edited here.

The more complex the relationships become the easier they are to manage from the parameters dialog, but if you're doing fairly simple relationships (as in this very simple example above) you may never need to use the parameter dialog, even though you are creating parametric relationships.

Here's a screen cast of using Parameters to create a rabbeted wood drawer/box.

hope this helps.

Re: How do I create relations between dimensions?

Anonymous — Wed, 03 Aug 2016 21:05:07 GMT

Thanks for the involved explanation. I'm used to SolidWorks where the first thing you do when entering an equation is use the = sign; which was getting me very confused in Fusion as I entered it and it didn't like it.

Re: How do I create relations between dimensions?

JamieGilchrist — Wed, 03 Aug 2016 21:09:40 GMT

glad this helped clear things up. One less character to fuss with 😉
if you wold kindly Accept as a Solution that's be helpful for us too.
best,