topic Re: How Would I Build This Object As A Solid? in Fusion Support Forum

How Would I Build This Object As A Solid?

glencandle — Fri, 27 Oct 2023 00:21:42 GMT

I have created this mesh in Blender as a reference. I would like to build it in Fusion, but I don't how. I can't just sketch and extrude it, as you can see.

I suppose I could use a Loft or a Revolve function, but I would love an expert to weigh in on the most logical workflow.

(view in My Videos)

Cheers.

Re: How Would I Build This Object As A Solid?

davebYYPCU — Fri, 27 Oct 2023 00:33:00 GMT

Sketch end face, copy it (to memory)

Offset plane for the position of other end, New sketch on it, paste profile, invert it,

Loft the two profiles.

Might help…..

Re: How Would I Build This Object As A Solid?

jhackney1972 — Fri, 27 Oct 2023 01:21:22 GMT

It may not be as long as you desire but here is my method for what I see. Loft with Rails and Mapped Points. Model attached.

Edit: Added some missing dimensions to fully constrain sketches.

Re: How Would I Build This Object As A Solid?

glencandle — Fri, 27 Oct 2023 17:30:43 GMT

Thanks Dave, I'm going to try this now.

Quick question- will this workflow keep things dynamic, so that if I change the dimension of the original end face the other one will follow suit?

Re: How Would I Build This Object As A Solid?

glencandle — Fri, 27 Oct 2023 17:51:46 GMT

OK so I did manage to do this dynamically by sketching the opposite end face and constraining the top and bottom line dimensions to their opposite projections, and then I tried the loft as you suggested.

The problem is now I'm getting curved faces like below, which I don't want. I need the side faces to be flat triangles, as in my original example. Is there a way to do this from here?

Re: How Would I Build This Object As A Solid?

jhackney1972 — Fri, 27 Oct 2023 17:56:09 GMT

Why do you not take a look at the model I set to you? If you need explanation, just let me know.

Re: How Would I Build This Object As A Solid?

glencandle — Fri, 27 Oct 2023 18:00:00 GMT

Hi John, I apologize, I completely overlooked it. I've got it open now and am tinkering. It seems the rails are the way to go. I'm going to spend a few more minutes with it and then I will report back. Thank you very much for taking the time to respond.

Re: How Would I Build This Object As A Solid?

glencandle — Fri, 27 Oct 2023 18:07:43 GMT

John, thank you again for this, it is exactly what I'm looking for. I appreciate your file, but I'm trying to learn how to do this for myself from scratch and I'm stuck on one thing:

How do you map the points in 3D space? When I project the points I want to connect between planes, onto a new plane for the rails, I just get a 2D projection, like this:

Re: How Would I Build This Object As A Solid?

glencandle — Fri, 27 Oct 2023 18:13:34 GMT

Nevermind, I realized I don't need to use a projection on the points, I can simply just draw a line between the sketches. So that bit works, but now I'm having another strange issue where despite using rails the faces still want to warp. What am I doing wrong:

Re: How Would I Build This Object As A Solid?

jhackney1972 — Fri, 27 Oct 2023 18:21:49 GMT

Lofting with Mapped Points is not what you expect. The video will show how they are used to create your model, along with rails. If you would like to see the magic of using Mapped Points in Lofting, take a look at this Blog Article and Video. They are not for every situation but as the article states they can be used for simple lofts of two surfaces.

(view in My Videos)

Re: How Would I Build This Object As A Solid?

glencandle — Fri, 27 Oct 2023 18:33:36 GMT

This was it, thank you so much. I had no idea you could grab those points and drag them. Definite game changer for me, I seriously can't thank you enough!

Re: How Would I Build This Object As A Solid?

jhackney1972 — Fri, 27 Oct 2023 18:35:13 GMT

Accepting my post as the Accepted Solution is thanks enough!