topic Re: How can I tell if I'm precisely on the intersection (sketch mode)? in Fusion Design, Validate & Document Forum

How can I tell if I'm precisely on the intersection (sketch mode)?

Anonymous — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 04:35:57 GMT

In the same sketch, I have a line going through the center of a circle. I want to snap to intersection of the line and circle.

This is what I see when I'm zoomed in all the way. The cursor does not change shape. There's no screen hint for what point is picked up. There's no "intersect" constraint toggle. And obviously holding the command key (Mac) does not help.

How can I tell if I'm running a deficient copy of Fusion 360?

Re: How can I tell if I'm precisely on the intersection (sketch mode)?

kshea9RNL8 — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 09:56:11 GMT

Ken,

In a simple test It all seems to snap normally here at all the intersections intersections.

Holding the Ctrl on a PC does inhibit snapping shouldn't be any different on your Mac.

You might try, if you are not too far along in the sketch re-drawing that portion of it and make sure your graphics driver is up to date.

You can check for that from with in Fusion 360 in the upper right corner, click the help, second selection in the menu and then at the bottom of the menu that just opened.

A full cold start Re-boot of the system can clean things up in general in a PC likely on a Mac as well.

I don't know the procedure, once set up, on re-installing the soft ware.

Good luck

Re: How can I tell if I'm precisely on the intersection (sketch mode)?

TheCADWhisperer — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 10:25:18 GMT

@Kenhain wrote:

The cursor does not change shape.

There's no screen hint for what point is picked up.

Your image would seem to contradict your statements.

Post screen shot of your cursor away from the intersection.

In my screen captures below -

when I am away from the intersecting geometry my cursor appears as a black cross.

when I am near the intersecting geometry my cursor changes to a blue X as in your image.

after I select the intersection I see the image of a Coincident constraint that was applied automatically by Fusion.

Attach your *.f3d file here if you still experience difficulty.

Re: How can I tell if I'm precisely on the intersection (sketch mode)?

Anonymous — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 15:09:57 GMT

Thank you for the reply. I've looked at my "graphics diagnostics." See attached screenshot. Not sure how to read it. Everything is default, unchanged (by me), unknown to me.

Re: How can I tell if I'm precisely on the intersection (sketch mode)?

Anonymous — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 15:18:58 GMT

Thank you again for your reply.

I've just tried "signing off" Fusion. It signs me back automatically. Then tried quitting Fusion. Then restarted Fusion. And drew a random line and circle again. I've turned off grid, and it seems to visually help. But still no clear visible snap to intersection (not just to object line). The screenshots below show when I'm slightly away from the intersection snap and then directly on it. Admittedly, I do *feel* some slight snapping but only because I'm an experienced Vectorworks CAD person (since 1998).

I will now try rebooting my Mac... changing my global Mac preferences... look for any Java updates... not sure what else.

Re: How can I tell if I'm precisely on the intersection (sketch mode)?

TheCADWhisperer — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 15:33:47 GMT

Everything looks normal to me in your images.

First image indicates it will place a Coincident constraint on the line if you continue with the rectangle creation.

Second image indicates it will place a Coincident constraint at the intersection if you continue with the rectangle creation.

Go ahead and complete the two rectangles. What do you see?

Re: How can I tell if I'm precisely on the intersection (sketch mode)?

Anonymous — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 15:30:24 GMT

Thank you for the confirmation.

As such, the very "slight feel" of the cursor movement is as much as anybody should expect?

If so, then this would be my request for improvement. Make it MUCH more distinct.

For example, when I have grid turned on and don't zoom in super tight (sometimes you should not have to), this is what I see. Can you tell if I'm precisely at intersection?

Re: How can I tell if I'm precisely on the intersection (sketch mode)?

TheCADWhisperer — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 15:35:40 GMT

It doesn't have to be distinct.

In your image go ahead and place the rectangle.

Then test it (I add video above showing test).

Re: How can I tell if I'm precisely on the intersection (sketch mode)?

kshea9RNL8 — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 15:50:18 GMT

I agree, visibility IMO is lacking in Fusion 360 especially for us new comers to it, and very much so for us that have personal sigh issues. You can tell when your snapped as you can move the mouse around about 1/8" and the cursor does not move, also when look closely as you approach a snap area you can also see the snap, it takes some getting used to. One of the biggest issues I have is trying to forget how my other "comfortable" CAD system operates, been nothing but a hindrance, we get used to it's way and think that is the way it is supposed to be. not so, this is Fusion 360 and we will have to learn and get used to the way it requires things to be done.

That's not to say that things do not need to be improved though but they know that and seem to be diligently working on it.

Re: How can I tell if I'm precisely on the intersection (sketch mode)?

Anonymous — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 15:53:14 GMT

Thank you for another screencast.

Note again that I'm talking ONLY about intersection — not any mere snapping to a single object. And now I notice that even with grid visibility OFF, the snap to grid is still ON.

I think it boils down to confidence.

So, yes, even in a complex drawing, I'll just click to complete the shape in the sketch. Then try stretching a vertex to confirm that the constraints are on proper objects. Then undo out of the "stretch test mode" that I would have to do each time — for my own reassurance.

Then sometimes it's NOT on proper intersections...

Re: How can I tell if I'm precisely on the intersection (sketch mode)?

TheCADWhisperer — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 16:07:31 GMT

@Kenhain wrote:

...., the snap to grid is still ON....

I turned off Snap to Grid in my second CAD class back in '87 of the last century.

Haven't used it since.

If you turn on the preview to Change Color of Constrained Geometry - it is rather obvious when it is constrained.

Re: How can I tell if I'm precisely on the intersection (sketch mode)?

Anonymous — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 17:04:42 GMT

Me neither.

But again my point was that snap to grid was still ON after turning Sketch Grid off — not that I prefer to use snap to grid. I don't.

So what's the purpose of Sketch Grid if not to confuse newbies? [ rhetorical ]

Regardless... after many minutes of searching I still cannot find where to see those click boxes that you show to turn OFF Snap to Grid. Can't find it in Prefs. Can't find it in the Sketch menu. Can't find it the Constraints palette. Can't find it with right click hold. Can't find it within the Sketch drawing... right click here, right click there, left click and hold...

Where else can it possibly be?

Re: How can I tell if I'm precisely on the intersection (sketch mode)?

TheCADWhisperer — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 17:11:47 GMT

I don't know if there is a difference between the Windows version interface and the Mac version.

I can turn off the Snap to grid here, but I still haven't figured out how to turn of the sketch Grid itself.

Re: How can I tell if I'm precisely on the intersection (sketch mode)?

Anonymous — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 17:19:04 GMT

Ahhh yes!

Thank you again.

I've added a cyan color arrow onto your screenshot in appreciation of your replies.

Re: How can I tell if I'm precisely on the intersection (sketch mode)?

TheCADWhisperer — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 17:26:12 GMT

Ah, there it is.

Thanks.

Re: How can I tell if I'm precisely on the intersection (sketch mode)?

jeff_strater — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 18:46:34 GMT

The snap and other settings are at the bottom of the screen:

Re: How can I tell if I'm precisely on the intersection (sketch mode)?

Anonymous — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 20:36:46 GMT

Yes understood. But as a new user from another CAD platform, I think it's misleading.

For example, in the Sketch Palette, there's a checkbox called Snap. I've always thought Snap meant snapping to lines, vertices, intersections, etc. — as opposed to not snapping like toggling on the command key (Mac). But guess what.

Apparently the Snap to Grid checkbox at the bottom is the same as the Snap checkbox in the Sketch Palette!

So I don't want to Snap to Grid, so I uncheck the bottom menu pop-up. Then I want to snap to intersection, so I turn on Snap in the Sketch Palette. Then it still snaps to grid. Then as the intersection is very close to a grid point, there's no clear indication that it's more than just snapping to the line. It's the same faint blue X.

I already got it. Just reiterating the confusion. Thanks again to all.