topic Re: Dimension ZERO in Fusion Design, Validate & Document Forum

Dimension ZERO

San_Escobar — Sun, 22 Feb 2015 12:58:34 GMT

Hey Fellower.

I just tried all the way but seems that Fusion 360 doesn't allow to enter Zero Dimension.

Than I though would be great to have such option, other than use 0.0001mm as dimension. 🙂

Re: Dimension ZERO

rishivadher — Sun, 22 Feb 2015 18:08:01 GMT

where is the logic on a dimension been "null"

its like 2=1 by proving

if a=1 and b =1

a=b

a^2=ab

a^2-b^2=ab-b^2

(a+b)(a-b)=b(a-b)

a+b=b

2b=b

2=1

at maximinum geometricaly you can define the angle as 0

Re: Dimension ZERO

Jon.Dean — Mon, 23 Feb 2015 16:56:58 GMT

Hi Aqhead,

I agree, it should work, does with most CAD packages.

Instead of using dimension = 0 you could use the constraint "Colinear".

I'm not sure why Fusion 360 does not allow the use of zero.

Jon.

Re: Dimension ZERO

Silvio_Brasil — Mon, 09 Nov 2015 13:45:08 GMT

I know this post is archaic but I dont understand why it is marked as RESOLVED!!! since I also like Dimension 0 and Fusion just lack about it...

I recently update my FUSION 360 and not improvement in this end, :S

Re: Dimension ZERO

airesgabriel — Fri, 27 Apr 2018 13:53:36 GMT

It would be great if it was possible with fusion just constraint something coincident, but in fact it's such an hard task. It's mandatory to create construction geometries and then use the colinear constraint

Re: Dimension ZERO

HughesTooling — Fri, 27 Apr 2018 14:05:44 GMT

There is a workaround, add the dimension to the sketch as 1° then open the parameters manager and change it to zero.

Mark

Re: Dimension ZERO

lichtzeichenanlage — Fri, 27 Apr 2018 14:29:33 GMT

I'm new to CAD and I have an idea why this could be useful (e.g. for defining clearances) but I'm curious to know what's the "real" need behind this request.

Re: Dimension ZERO

HughesTooling — Fri, 27 Apr 2018 14:42:36 GMT

For me one use is experimenting with the position of a feature, you might want to try a zero offset or even a negative one. These work as parameters already, if you're using several parameters to calculate a position there's always a chance you'll get zero or a minus number. The problem at he moment is the dimension input doesn't allow zero or negative input.

Mark

Re: Dimension ZERO

lichtzeichenanlage — Fri, 27 Apr 2018 14:54:58 GMT

@HughesTooling: Thx for the reply. That sounds useful. My workaround is to use the offset feature. That can take positive, zero and negative values.

Re: Dimension ZERO

HughesTooling — Fri, 27 Apr 2018 15:35:58 GMT

@lichtzeichenanlage You're only thinking about one case and actually you can't go back and edit an offset and enter a negative number to swap the offset. I had a job a while ago that needed several sections to form a curved loft and dimensioned off projected points from previous section, some needed zero or negative offsets.

Another workaround is to toggle a dimension to Driven drag the point to the other side then toggle back to driving and enter the size. Doesn't work for offset though!

Mark

Re: Dimension ZERO

lichtzeichenanlage — Fri, 27 Apr 2018 21:02:14 GMT

I'm not a professional or an expert. So for sure I don't think through all cases because I don't know them. And I'm / we're talking about workarounds and those are limited by definition.

@HughesToolingwrote:
@lichtzeichenanlage You're only thinking about one case and actually you can't go back and edit an offset and enter a negative number to swap the offset. ...

You can by using the parameter editor.

@HughesToolingwrote:
...I had a job a while ago that needed several sections to form a curved loft and dimensioned off projected points from previous section, some needed zero or negative offsets.

Sure, offsets are not working with points. You could draw a line through the point and offset the line, but that' an even worse workaround.

@HughesToolingwrote:...
Another workaround is to toggle a dimension to Driven drag the point to the other side then toggle back to driving and enter the size. Doesn't work for offset though!

Didn't know this one. Have to try it but doesn't sound clean either.

Re: Dimension ZERO

MichaelT_123 — Sun, 28 Dec 2025 02:13:18 GMT

Hi Fellows,

Traditionally, a dimension is considered a positive rational number, reflecting the physical phenomena associated with it in the real world.

That said, applying such concept directly to the abstract world of CAD design only asks for troubles as evidence(s) show.

Extending the dimension's value to the entire domain of rational numbers would allow a significant simplification not only of F360's internal algorithms but also of the night dreams of many CAD aficionados.

Regards

MichaelT

Re: Dimension ZERO

manoxFMZTG — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 16:30:03 GMT

I work with Fusion and NX (Unigraphics). Many years ago (I think about 2010-12) NX add possibility to use negative value of dimenssions. And this is very usefull, for example to change side of line or point to base point.

When You must find right position of line (or other element) and change side for it: You must change dimension to driven, change side, change to dimesion to drive and change value. Very many changes... Easier is write "-".

Other way: in the sketch this is problem, but in extrude it's fine?

The same thing with zero value - sometimes You must change position of circle, and You have dimenion with some value. For change it to zero - You must delete dimension and add colinear. When You change conception - in opposite direction.

I see - post have 6 years. And now with configure table possibility use negative and null value could be more usefull than six years ago.

Best regards

MANok

Re: Dimension ZERO

MichaelT_123 — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 23:05:20 GMT

Hi Mr ManoxFMZTG,

The ZERO(s) issue is ambivalent ... not only in the Fusion world but also in the World outside.

Do we really need them? It is the question for mindfulness philosophers to contest.

If you want to study it sedulously ... here are other posts about the subject:

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/fusion-design-validate-document/constrains-direction-flipping-with-change-of-parameter/m-p/9251011

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/fusion-design-validate-document/sketch-constraint-violated-when-changing-dimension-parameter/m-p/11525257

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/fusion-api-and-scripts/natural-numbers-voice/m-p/11522033

... and by the way ... do not treat them with ZERO margin of solemnity.

Regards

MichaelT

Re: Dimension ZERO

busycleta — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 14:53:36 GMT

Hi Michael

It is absolutely not ambivalent, here is why:

Imagine you are an audio engineer, you have many channels in the mix but the faders all the way down don't produce a zero-output signal.
-- instead this results in having an ever so slight signal of each channel on the master mix, even tough it should not be present at all.

In same way engineers want to have full control of there CAD Sketches as expected from any other CAD System, there is no possible benefit to be gained from restricting zero as a dimension value.

Greetings

Re: Dimension ZERO

MichaelT_123 — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 21:40:00 GMT

Hi Mr Busycleta,

I have an itchy feeling ... that you misunderstood my position about ... ZERO.

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/fusion-api-and-scripts/natural-numbers-voice/m-p/11522033

Regards

MichaelT