[OPEN] Looking for feedback on Mesh based workflows

[Sualp.Ozel]

Hi Fusion MFG community

As you may have noticed, the Mesh workspace just graduated from being a tech preview and is now a part of Fusion 360 user interface by default with the July 7, 2021 release. With this release you can:

• Tesselate a solid body using triangles and/or quads to create mesh bodies.
• Insert multiple mesh files including STL OBJ and 3MF
• Interact with mesh bodies and face groups in both the parametric and direct modeling
• Automatically repair broken mesh bodies.
• Shell/hollow a mesh body
• Combine / Separate mesh bodies
• Generate face groups on mesh bodies and those convert mesh bodies to solid or surface bodies.
• and more...

The workflows we implemented contains several intelligent default settings and the ability to preview the outcome of each command before executing them, so that users don’t have be an expert in working with mesh data to benefit from this functionality.

This release also comes with several known limitations:  

3mf related limits 

• Upload 3mf is currently not supported
• There is an inconsistency between Open and Insert 3mf workflows for assemblies (Open workflow display the component hierarchy, Insert workflow produces a single component with multiple bodies)
• When exporting a 3mf, appearance and physical material are not exported as color information
•  

Workspace related limits:

• Mesh bodies are not supported as an input to Assemblies in Design workspace
• Mesh bodies are not supported in Simulation workspace
• Mesh bodies are not supported in Drawings workspace
• Mesh bodies are not supported in Generative Design workspace
• Mesh only components are not supported in Animation workspace when using Manual or Auto Explode

Face group related limits

• Generate Face Groups feature is not designed for mesh bodies generated using scan data.
• Accurate type within Generate Face Groups feature is not designed to find boundaries between complex curved surfaces.
• Face group information stored in *.OBJ files is not loaded into Fusion

With upcoming releases of Fusion 360, we will

• start eliminating the above known limitations.
• continue to identify and fix new issues related to mesh workflows
• improve the functionality around hollowing mesh bodies and
• introduce new methods for converting organic mesh bodies to solid more effectively.

We also would love to hear back from you.

So here are some of our questions:

• Have you experienced any issues importing / working with / editing mesh data in Fusion 360?
• Can anyone send us examples of models you are experiencing such issues?
• What would you want us to focus on for improving mesh based workflows?

No “Insert mesh” + “convert to solid” failed feedback please. You need to “generate face groups” before attempting to convert mesh bodies to solid bodies first 😊

There are no wrong answers here, we are just looking to start a conversation on how you plan to utilize the new mesh functionality in your workflow.

All questions, comments, and criticisms are welcome.

Thanks

Sualp Ozel, PE

Senior Product Manager

Additive Manufacturing

[c.hudsonGUVQ6]

My workflow for years has been to 1) upload an.OBJ quad file to MeshMixer where I make it into a solid and then export it as an .OJB again,  2) open that .OBJ file in ReCap Photo where it's checked for errors and then exported as quads that can be read by Fusion 360, 3) then upload and open the file in Fusion 360.  In the browser, right click the master and choose Capture Design History.  A Create Form button appears in the Create tool group.  I click on that button to open the Form tools, then right click on the model itself, and choose Convert.  From the  pop-up menu, I choose t-splines, then okay.  I click on the Finish button to close the Form window, and am now working with a perfect t-spline model.  

As of the last update, when I hoover over or right click on the model, it turns black, and the convert option is missing.  I cannot for the life of me figure out how to convert it to a solid t-spline model.  Help!

[Sualp.Ozel]

Workflow you described is meant to be still working.
If you’re experiencing issues, please share your fusion file and I will take a quick look

Please note that the convert Mesh option is avaible in the Modify dropdown.

Converting quads to form is avaible in the utilities drop down.

[c.hudsonGUVQ6]

What email address should I use to share the file in question?

Attached are two screen grabs.  The first is the drop down under Modify.  As you can see, there is no Convert Mesh option.  The second screen grab shows the Form screen.  Utilities does have a Convert, but the model cannot be selected.  

[Sualp.Ozel]

In the first image you are showing that you are in the "solid" tab, please switch over to the "Mesh" tab and you will see the convert mesh button. It is hard to see the 2nd image clearly.

[hfcandrew]

I currently use Meshmixer to design custom foot orthotics/insoles/arch supports using a scan of foot. I have the process semi-automated using the mmAPI as seen here done manually: https://autode.sk/3dyfqZW

When I run my script I made I can shave that 10mins to about 1min.

In MM I use the tools soft transform and smooth boundary mainly.

So yes this all looks well and good and works, I do about 5000 of these a year, however Meshmixer has many bugs, crashes often, really needs some rather simple quality of life improvements, but it is unfortunately no long supported by Autodesk. I worry for the future.

Could this be done in Fusion? If so could it also be semi-automated with an API?

[hfcandrew]

See:

[Sualp.Ozel]

Thank you for sharing the video. It is helpful for us to see how you utilize various functions in Meshmixer for your application. Some of what you show is possible in Fusion today but certainly not all the things you need are in Fusion to complete your workflow. The smooth boundary is something we have also identified as an important function we should focus on in the future.

[hfcandrew]

Oh okay. Why has Meshmixer not been 100% integrated with Fusion. Given the advancements 3D printing, the usage of Meshes, the prominence of 3D scanning and reverse engineering, and in my field the usage of CAD/CAM/Print for orthopedics & medicine, shouldn't that be the obvious end goal? 

[c.hudsonGUVQ6]

Thanks for all the support, folks.  Problem solved.  Like everyone who uses Fusion 360, I've developed a workflow process that has become rote over the years.  I've also observed that all folks who uses any software program, even if the end product is the same, have their own workflow processes.  Change anything in that process and we falter.  a few things had me flummoxed--the location of the Convert button had changed and when I selected my model, it turned black.  I work on four screens and the pop-up for t-spline conversion was collapsed and on another screen--when it didn't appear in the same location as always, I thought it wasn't deploying.   Again, thanks for the fast, courteous, and sterling support!

[Anonymous]

Exporting as STL has become a lot more hassle. Personally I would love to see the option back in the right click menu, rather than hidden in the "save as mesh" option.

A nice alternative would be for Binary STL to be the default option.

[Sualp.Ozel]

@Anonymous , if Save as STL is a function you use often, may i suggest that you pin the following item (Tools: Make : 3D Print) to your shortcuts?

 

This way, you can simply right click on the canvas and access the function. (alternatively you can also add a keyboard shortcut to the same function)

[mr.pieryang]

你好.我嘗試將弧面MESH在Fusion360轉換成solid.目前似乎會因為網格密度.數量以及三角面的走向.

讓轉檔的過程產生不同的變化.不曉得是否可以針對轉檔功能的轉換邏輯.提供簡易教程.讓使用者能方便學習與摸索.感謝

[lith74]

Hi, use fusion360 to make molds. I scan my object and save as STL. Upload into fusion, in MESH I smooth, reduce my faces. The in SOLID I convert it to brep. Then I sketch, extrude a block, then split the bodies using the brep and I have my mold. Now use the convert mesh and I cannot cut cut my block using the split body feature. 

[Sualp.Ozel]

@lith74 this sounds like a workflow issue.

If you could send some images or preferably a video of your workflow, we could help you get to the end result with the correct steps. 

[Sualp.Ozel]

@AnonymousPieryang thank you for the feedback.

We created the following video series to explain the functionality.

https://help.autodesk.com/view/fusion360/ENU/courses/AP-MESH-INSERT 

We will keep adding new content to this portal and the online help documentation.

Yes the convert mesh command is influenced by the density and shape of mesh elements, so it is normal for the 4 outcomes to be slightly different in your example. 

[Additive_Engineer]

When using the new algorithm for reverse engineering in the "mesh environment", the following was noticed:

After using the "Generate Surface Group" function (Prisma_1), when using the "Mesh Convert" function with the help of the "Prismatic" sub-functions, a not true to size object is generated (Prisma_2, Prisma_3).
--> The deviation can be seen particularly well in the image: "Prisma_3".

When using the "Convert Mesh" function with the "old" sub-function - "Facetted" - this deviation does not occur (Fassete_1, Fassete_2, Fassete_3)

[Additive_Engineer]

Pictures

[Additive_Engineer]

Picture_2

[I_Megaman_i]

Hey

Well, first of all Autodesk dont have regional pricing.

Second, most hobbyist like me cannot afford 60$ per month paying just for one script, yes im talking about the prismatic feature.

Third, the more you locking awesome features behind paywal, the better the chances Fusion 360 will appear on cgpeers.

I hope you will make it available for personal license too.

Thanks!