Macro/record modifier mode

[odolyte]

I find myself often to repeat the same modifications to several duplicated bodies (turn xx angle, move up xx mm etc).

What would be cool is to be able to record all thoses modifications on one body to create a "macro" in order to apply them to the other bodies in their current position.

This would save a lot lot of time when you have repetitive modifications on several bodies...

[Jonathan_Kolodner]

I'd also be good for body/feature symmetry and/or "instancing" to solve this issue—changes to the "original" propogate to the instances, so you can only update one, and have all update easily, beyond modeling changes (how components currently update in assemblies when you change one of several of the same part).

[keqingsong]

You could use the circular pattern tool and pattern the body you have already set up so you don't have to do it to every single one. Does that help? 

[Jonathan_Kolodner]

This specific fix assumes that it's always a circular or regular rectangular pattern of the instances, but sometimes it's not—that's where having instancing (which is somewhat covered by components...) would be helpful; but I think the OP is asking for a generalized solution to where you need to make a series of similar changes, potentially across different entities, which would be a sound case for scripts/macros. 

Let's say the OP instead wanted to systematically drill a hole at the midpoint along the longest edges of a variety of prismatic solids, along the edge normal. Having a way to record a macro or otherwise automate that process would be powerful, but I do realize it would be difficult to make truly "case agnostic". 

[odolyte]

@keqingsong True, but sometimes i have to apply series of manipulation to different bodies that are not at all in pattern.

[keqingsong]

Gotcha. Would our scripting/API functionality help here? I've provided a getting started video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Roe2TRBY6Ko&list=PLmA_xUT-8UlJ-sKzVtHXUy8M7MN2QhQnG&index=1

[Jonathan_Kolodner]

Sure API and scripting support would be great for programmers not necessarily for CAD jockeys 😉

You have to remember that many of your users don't have the skillset to use those kinds of tools, and while you could argue that we all should learn to program a little, you can also boost the productivity of those who don't have the programming chops, and aren't going to write scripts but would do some form of visual, interactive "programming" to create scripts/macros that way instead.

The workflow that I think a lot of people would benefit from might look like:

1. Select 'input' items to operate on, and if there are multiple "sets" of items needed, then select the sets sequentially.
2. Define the operation (in the macro-recording sense, by doing it)
3. Create a custom button in a "my macros" menu that launches the macro in the future based on selections from the user.

But, this doesn't solve the instancing quesiton, which is more one of data-types and how to handle connected arrays/sets that aren't related in a geometric/positionally regular way, (which as I've said before is partially resolved by component handling).

[TimeraAutodesk]

Thank you for your idea - this is getting archived due to lack of votes. Ideas with 10+ votes within a month are reviewed by the Product Management team for future consideration. If you feel strongly that this is needed, please resubmit with more detail on why you think this is valuable to Fusion 360 users so that the idea gathers some more support from the community. 

[Anonymous]

why was this archived it makes sense to have macro support with the useless import mesh feture where you have to repeat a task hundreds of times making this program cumbersome and near useless.