topic Re: Problem with the Move component Feature in Fusion Design, Validate & Document Forum

Problem with the Move component Feature

RogerInHawaii — Thu, 10 Nov 2022 20:46:47 GMT

I've encountered a problem with the Component Move operation.

I create two simple components. I then add a User Parameter called MoveDistance and give it the value of 1 inch.

I then right-click on one of the components and select to do a Move/Copy operation, which brings up the Move/Copy dialog. In that dialog I set the Z distance to reference the MoveDistance parameter and also select to Capture Position.

Hitting the OK button closes the dialog and leaves the component in its moved position. So far, so good.

I then go back to the Change Parameters dialog and CHANGE the value of the MoveDistance Parameter from 1 inch to 3 inches.

Now, NORMALLY, when I'm in the Change Parameters dialog and make a change to some parameter (and tab out of that item or otherwise move to a different parameter in the list) the design is immediately updated to reflect the change of parameter value. I LIKE that it (normally) does that and am glad that it does that.

But THIS TIME no change happened to the displayed design. The component that had previously been moved via a Move/Copy action and which references the MoveDistance, DID NOT CHANGE its position. It stayed right where it was when the Move/Copy was originally implemented, when the MoveDistance parameter had a value of 1 inch.

Even after hitting the OK button on the Parameters dialog the component didn't move.

So, FIRST QUESTION: Shouldn't the component have moved? Its Move operation references the MoveDistance parameter, so when that Parameter changes shouldn't the component's position change?

I then went down to the Timeline and right-clicked on the Move item in the timeline, to bring up the menu of options. From that I clicked the Edit option.

BUT ! ! ! NOTHING HAPPENS. No edit dialog appears for editing the Move/Copy Feature.

So, second question: WHY does no Move/Copy dialog open up so that I can Edit it? I'm hoping to at least SEE what it has for the Z-axis move value. Did it only save the 1 inch value or did it (properly?) save the reference to the MoveDistance Parameter? But I can't see that because it refuses to bring up the dialog.

I've attached the design file, at the point just BEFORE doing the initial Move operation.

Re: Problem with the Move component Feature

TrippyLighting — Thu, 10 Nov 2022 20:55:27 GMT

Bodies, which are always within components can be moved parametrically and you'll see a "move" feature in the timeline. That move is always in reference to the origin of the component the body resides in.

Components cannot be moved parametrically. That's what joints are for.

Re: Problem with the Move component Feature

jeff_strater — Thu, 10 Nov 2022 21:50:57 GMT

"So, second question: WHY does no Move/Copy dialog open up so that I can Edit it? I'm hoping to at least SEE what it has for the Z-axis move value. Did it only save the 1 inch value or did it (properly?) save the reference to the MoveDistance Parameter? But I can't see that because it refuses to bring up the dialog."

There is a difference between Move (component), and Capture Position. Move simply changes the position of the component. There are multiple ways to move a component: Move, component drag, Align, Drive Joint, and probably some other ways I've forgotten. Capture Position simply captures the position of all components which have moved from their default positions. As @TrippyLighting said, Capture Position is not parametric. When you edit a Capture Position, you are not editing any Move components, instead you are editing the capture of all the component positions in that Capture Position feature. This enters a mode. You can adjust the positions of any component in the design. When you are done, choose the "finish position" check box to exit the "edit capture" mode.

BTW, this is also the situation in your other post here: fusion-360-design-validate/fusion-360-has-basically-stopped-working. You saved the design in "edit capture" mode, and that mode was restored when you re-opened the design.

Re: Problem with the Move component Feature

gamelife4dns — Fri, 11 Nov 2022 17:36:16 GMT

In addition to what has been already said, not all move types are parametric. Only translation and rotation are parametric.
See this discussion for example https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/fusion-360-design-validate/parametric-moves-doesn-t-work/m-p/10077933#M240245