Offset to combine bodies!!!

[Anonymous]

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE add the option to choose an offset when combining two bodies. This is necessary when you are making a mold or you need to 3d print a part. This would be similar to the offset found using the indent tool on SolidWorks. Without this using combine to cut away complex geometries requires me to have to scale up my part by a very small amount to artificially create the offset. THIS IS TERRIBLE and time-consuming. I absolutely love fusion 360 and moved our whole company over to it, please help me out!!!  

[lichtzeichenanlage]

Instead of using to Bodies you can use the boundary fill tool to create a mold. Check out this video: https://youtu.be/nCPm6z5zbgY?t=2m58s

[Anonymous]

I have also requested this feature but still waiting...

Boundary fill seems overcomplicated and probably only relevant to certain applications like mould making....

[lichtzeichenanlage]

@Anonymous: I only came up with the boundary fill because @Anonymous mentioned it. 

[Anonymous]

@lichtzeichenanlage Thank you for your suggestion. I agree boundary fill can be very useful. Most of the components I design which would require this offset cant be done with a boundary fill. Imagine you are creating a human knee joint and you intend to 3d print this joint. Most 3d printers require an offset of anywhere between .006 - .01 in of offset. Since the human knee is so complex it would be insane to try to perfectly match the other side of the joint just free drawing it. Currently, one of my IT employees is working on programming this offset in. Once I have it working I will share the code here and hopefully, fusion will love it and incorporate it. 

[lichtzeichenanlage]

@Anonymous: I see your point. I didn't want to say that your idea is not
good. I'd just wanted to mention that there is an alternative solution. I'm
glad that you are working on a solution and that you want to share it.
Thanks for that in advance.

[Anonymous]

This would be a great addition, even in the 3D maker space. Designing components in-place when using a tool to cut a cavity with a certain clearance into a body is something that is used frequently. You essentially want to create an over-sized hole with a constant, configurable, clearance to the tool.

A workflow like:

1. Combine

2. Select Body

3. Select Tool (Keep tools)

4. Offset from tool (x.xx mm)

Is very desirable. Currently the only method I can think of to do this is to create a patch of the tool which has the desired clearance to the tool body. Then use that patch as a tool to cut the cavity.

[Anonymous]

An alternative workflow that might achieve this, using offset and stitched patches.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AcsJ81iXvA

Note that this isn't always great, it may be inaccurate for complex geometry due to the stitching accuracy. Works for simple to mid-complex geometry though.

[Anonymous]

Please add this now

[mano]

I was just going to post this same suggestion. I've read quite a few workarounds but none seem to fit my needs. An offset option in the combine menu solves all that.