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Fusion 360 API Training

BrianEkins
Mentor

Fusion 360 API Training

BrianEkins
Mentor
Mentor

I'm considering developing a Fusion 360 API training course and could use everyone's input about what you would prefer.

 

I've written all of the current user manual and reference manual material that is available online. I also developed all of the original Inventor API training material and used it to teach a lot of classes.  In both cases, there was always been more I wanted to do but didn't have time.  Now that I'm working on my own I can prioritize things differently and things have a changed a lot since those original Inventor classes so there are now new options available for teaching.  Here are some things I'm considering.

  1. Video instruction.  This would be many short video lessons along with exercises and tests.  I'm currently investigating the Udemy platform for this but would be interested in opinions about Udemy or other similar services you may have used.

    The advantage of video instruction is that it's quicker to get to market and I could have classes available sooner than with other teaching methods.  Video instruction will also allow me to more easily break up the class into modules so that I could release them individually over time.  For example, there can separate classes such as "Introduction to the Fusion 360 API", "Part Modeling", "Assembly Modeling", 'Add-Ins and Commands", etc.  By breaking up the material into smaller classes I can start releasing it sooner and by modularizing the topics it benefits students by allowing them to only choose the sections they need.

    For me, the big disadvantage of video instruction is that it can be difficult to use as a reference. It can be good to learn concepts but it's hard to go back to when there are small details you need a refresher on. And for programming, I know I continuously go back to my reference material to look up specific syntax or workflows.

  2. Book. An alternative to video instruction is a book. A book is difficult to beat when used for reference.  A good book has a good index and it's easy to mark pages of interest to make it easier to reference in the future.

    A big disadvantage of a book is that it takes longer to develop and would be harder to justify breaking up into a series of books to allow portions of it to be available sooner.  With books, there is also the option of an eBook versus a printed book.  Personally, I have a strong preference for printed books and developing the material for either takes the same amount of time.

  3. In-Person Training. Classroom training is what I did for the original Inventor API classes but I think with the wide use of video conferencing "in-person" has a much broader definition now.  A newer training technique of the last few years is the "boot camp" style of training classes.  These are usually several days long where everyone is together at an off-site location and you spend approx. 12 hours per day going through the material.  I've attended one of these classes and found it both enjoyable and also very rewarding. You learn a lot in a short amount of time. I also had the class material to use as a reference after the class. But this type of training is also relatively expensive and requires enough interest to fill a class to make it worthwhile for the instructor.  With the video or book training, the cost is reasonable and you can go at your own pace.

What type of training would you like to see? And what topics are the most important to you that you like to see covered?

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Brian Ekins
Inventor and Fusion 360 API Expert
Website/Blog: https://EkinsSolutions.com
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maxim.yudayev3RJDX
Contributor
Contributor

Hello Brian,

 

Huge fan of your API training. Really helped getting into basic understanding of the inner workings of the Fusion API and helped learn how and where to look for more information and most importantly, how to find additional development material to tackle the problem at stake.

 

That being said, I think the book option is more advantageous in a combination with an IdeStation forum/topic where people can post ideas for chapters (drawing, modeling, topic specific question).

1. It will result in a well thought-through and organised structure of learning material

2. Really in-depth stuff along with strategies and approaches compared to scratching the surface

3. Be a great reference when you need to flip over to check for information rather than speedwatch videos

 

it will however generate less income since people nowadays don't read as much and prefer to get quick solution videos insread of in-depth chapter long solving approaches, which therefore means you will touch less of an amount of audince, but those who you do, will certainly be the people geniunly interested in what you teach and ready to actually learn and apply it.

 

-Maxim

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Anonymous
Not applicable

Video Lessons - All the way in.

A well edited video with a proper timeline can deliver more information faster, and yet if there is a need there is an option of rewind, and loop the playback until you get it. The book is slower to read, rewrite the sample and if it does not work it is more time-consuming to read the full chapter in order to catch what might have go wrong.

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PinRudolf
Advocate
Advocate

Hi Brian,

 

Like said before; thank you for the great API reference manual and all your great posts on the forum.

 

I would be very interested in a book as this is my prefered learning method! However I do have good experiences with Internet courses as well. I used to use Edx.org for a couple of classes where a lot of the material was a combination of text, image and video. For me this seemed to have the advantages of both; a good reference manual but also a quick method of understanding new concepts. I do feel however that for really understanding the course material the student will need to be able to follow a course at their own pace, which seems hard with just video. 

 

I'm not be interested in a boot camp since the time difference will be an issue. 😉

 

Cheers

 

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nraynaud
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

<How do we delete a post?>

 

 

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nraynaud
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

Here is my input, I am a software developper since a long time, but no in the CAM industry.

 

I am always a bit skeptical about books on APIs and languages, they get obsolete pretty quickly, who doesn't have an EJB2 book lying around? The UI is about to change, I'm pretty sure the associated API will go with it.

 

Maybe a well made website that you can keep current behind a paywall (I guess theThe Wood Whisperer Guild would be an example), something where we can ctrl+click to open a new tab, unlike the current doc. An interesting point is that a website doesn't limit you, if one concept is better explained with a video, just shoot it and embed it in the page. Another point is that if I'm struggling with something as a developer, and I feel like the answer is behind a paywall, I can just break out the credit card and get the info immediately.

 

What kind of instruction are you providing? I have sometimes very precise and deep questions where I don't find the answer easily.

 

Another detail: there is a kind of red tape you can go through to provide training in France. The deal is that it's mandatory for French companies to set aside a budget for employee training, it can be used for buying books, but also fly in Trainers, and I have seen American people do it. I'll give you the name of American and French providers having done it if you want (but, ironically, I only know DS people in the CAD world, so no help with finding customers).

 

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Igorva
Advocate
Advocate

Hello Brian!


On video lessons it is very convenient to study. It will be very useful

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JYZMT
Advocate
Advocate

Hello. A wonderful idea. If it helps, I'd like to +1 on the videos option. They are just so much accessible. Thanks

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Anonymous
Not applicable

a video format would be a great way to disseminate the knowledge. does not have to be on udemy. you can put it on a subscription based platform so that people continually get access to the updated contents as you release them.

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