topic Re: Flange "chain selection" WHERE IS IT in Fusion Support Forum

Flange "chain selection" WHERE IS IT

chance_hogelie — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 14:16:58 GMT

If it ain't broke, why fix it?

Where and why did they remove the "Chain Selection" option in the sheet metal tab when using flange? Loft shows it, but it isn't an option on the flange (base/edge/contour) side. Ive used this tool several times, now this adds an extra step of creating another unnecessary sketch.

Re: Flange "chain selection" WHERE IS IT

TheCADWhisperer — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 17:46:33 GMT

@chance_hogelie

Can you File>Export your *.f3d file to your local drive and then Attach it here to a Reply?

Re: Flange "chain selection" WHERE IS IT

chance_hogelie — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 16:42:55 GMT

Screenshots explain the problem no?

Re: Flange "chain selection" WHERE IS IT

TheCADWhisperer — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 17:50:55 GMT

@chance_hogelie

I work with geometry.

First thing I notice from your screenshots it that your sketch is not fully defined.

When I see an undefined sketch, I can only assume from the evidence provided that the use is an inexperienced beginner.

Re: Flange "chain selection" WHERE IS IT

chance_hogelie — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 19:47:30 GMT

Ive been using the sheet metal side for 5 years. I know a feature when it isnt there. Defining the sketch has nothing to do with a selectable option not being present in the program

Re: Flange "chain selection" WHERE IS IT

chance_hogelie — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 19:55:47 GMT

No difference and is still not available.

Re: Flange "chain selection" WHERE IS IT

TheCADWhisperer — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 02:31:37 GMT

@chance_hogelie wrote:
...now this adds an extra step of creating another unnecessary sketch.

@chance_hogelie

What is the purpose of "creating another unnecessary sketch"? Can you post an example?

Re: Flange "chain selection" WHERE IS IT

lauri_barnhart — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 14:26:33 GMT

Hi @chance_hogelie,

I wanted to check in and see if you saw @TheCADWhisperer's follow up questions and you still needed assistance, or if you found a solution to your question already? Please share any available screenshots or screen recordings so the community can assist you further.

All the best,

Lauri | Community Manager

Re: Flange "chain selection" WHERE IS IT

thomasDTVML — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 15:17:18 GMT

So chain selection option has been removed when creating a sheet metal flange?

Why?

With no chain selection how can I make this sketch create 2 separate components. The way you could before chain selection was removed? Furthermore when a fully enclosed shape is created there is no way to create a flange at all as it always default to selecting it as a profile.

This is the second feature taken away from sheet metal in fusion that really makes me question the development direction of the product.

Re: Flange "chain selection" WHERE IS IT

thomasDTVML — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 15:53:24 GMT

Added on to the last post. The ability enable/disable chain selection still works for other features e.g. pipe. Therefore I assume that Autodesk sees the benefit of it in some cases but not for poor old sheet metal (where I argue it's most required).

Re: Flange "chain selection" WHERE IS IT

chance_hogelie — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 16:24:03 GMT

Ive attached a video that shows exactly what the issue is. Hopefully, this makes it clearer. Loft does not work for this method

More sketches more steps.

Re: Flange "chain selection" WHERE IS IT

TheCADWhisperer — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 17:28:22 GMT

@chance_hogelie

Sheet metal should have only one body per Component.

Sketches should be fully constrained (especially Sketch1 - the foundation of the design).

Unconnected point...

Two lines where there should only be one line...

Can you File>Export your *.f3d file to your local drive and then Attach it here to a Reply?

Re: Flange "chain selection" WHERE IS IT

chance_hogelie — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 17:38:14 GMT

Thanks for the criticism it doesn't change anything... Stop replying to this post.

Yet again we do not have a solution. I speed drew this drawing, components,constraints etc isn't making the button magically reappear. I might draw or design "wrong" or skip steps but this isn't the root cause I'm trying to address.

Autodesk needs to be aware of this "chain selection" not being available.

The only workaround I'm seeing is a new sketch or making a break point in the sketch, both annoying and unnecessary

This is turning more into a "hey guys bring this button back" post, that's about it.

Re: Flange "chain selection" WHERE IS IT

thomasDTVML — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 17:38:45 GMT

@TheCADWhisperer Please make me 3 sheet metal components from this one sketch and send me the video of it or attach the file. I want a base 100mmx100mm and 1 side 100mm x 101mm and another at 100x102mm. 3 components all from the same sketch. No lines or dimensions added to the sketch would have been required if chain selection was still available.

Re: Flange "chain selection" WHERE IS IT

thomasDTVML — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 17:47:34 GMT

This shows how the request is possible (dims slightly different but irrelevant, comparison is exactly the same) using chain selection on another Autodesk feature. The removal of chain selection means that sketches cannot be shared for different components or bodies in sheet metal but they can in other tools in this case pipe. Seems a mismatch.

Re: Flange "chain selection" WHERE IS IT

thomasDTVML — Sat, 28 Feb 2026 13:52:06 GMT

Do any Autodesk engineers have an update for this?

Re: Flange "chain selection" WHERE IS IT

gatescustoms — Sun, 29 Mar 2026 20:17:29 GMT

Yes. this is beyond frustrating. the button was there and now its not. this is needed daily for anyone that uses sheet metal. the workaround wastes valuable time. where are the developers in all this? the whole program seems to be working backwards.