topic Re: Parametric workflow on complex assemblies in Fusion Design, Validate & Document Forum

Parametric workflow on complex assemblies

superabundance — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 17:07:18 GMT

I've been using Fusion 360 full-time for quite some time now, but as I try to make my process more efficient I'm wondering about everyone's workflow. I design a lot of furniture/millwork for production, which typically involves many components and is driven by parameters that can be changed as site dimensions, design considerations, material thicknesses, etc. vary.

I typically start with my parameters, and then move onto skeleton sketches, which are constrained by these parameters, and then I can start to extrude all of my components from these sketches. The problem is that, then, when I want to lock the components in place, I have to also create joints which are driven by the same parameters (say, "Door_Reveal" or "Shelf_Offset"), which feels like I'm doing double work since they were already constrained in the sketch.

At the end of the day, it works great, my models tend to be clean and useful, but am I missing a workflow that would make this easier? Should I be making an As-Built Joint every time I extrude a new component?

Re: Parametric workflow on complex assemblies

jhackney1972 — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 17:10:20 GMT

Could you attach an example for the Forum users to examine? This is the best way to judge if you could have a better workflow. If you do not know how to attach your Fusion 360 model follow these easy steps. Open the model in Fusion 360, select the File menu, then Export and save as a F3D or F3Z file to your hard drive. Then use the Attachments section of a forum post to attach it.

Re: Parametric workflow on complex assemblies

jeff_strater — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 17:13:27 GMT

if your components are parametrically built in place by virtue of being driven by the skeleton sketch, then, yes, I would highly recommend using As-Built Joints for your components. As-Built Joints have some limitations (no geometry references, so changes to the component geometry are not reflected in the Joint), but for a skeleton workflow, this is not a problem.