Sketch orientation to line on sketch plane

[brad.bylls]

I am creating springs to be able to place on any plane surface.

However, the cross section of the sketch does not always come out right.

Here is an image of my test piece.

Springs #1 and #5 have correct sketch orientation.

The length of rectangle #1 is parallel to line #1. This is correct.

This is correct for spring #1 and #5

The sketches for #2, #4, #5 and #6 are not correct.

The length of rectangle #2 is perpendicular to Line #2 not parallel.

I have been messing with this for some time and get figure it out.

Attached is all the add-in code.

Any help appreciated.

Thank you.

[BrianEkins]

I haven't looked at your code, but I do know that Fusion is a bit mysterious about how it creates sketches. When you select a face to create a sketch on, that defines the plane and the Z direction of the sketch, but the position and orientation of the X and Y axes are undetermined, and Fusion has some internal rules it uses when creating a sketch. I'm guessing that's the issue. If that is the problem, you'll need to figure out what the orientation of the sketch is and then use that information when drawing the geometry. The xDirection and yDirection properties of the Sketch should help with that.

There's code that draws the sketch coordinate system in this previous response so you can better visualize what's going on.

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/fusion-api-and-scripts/coordinate-system-when-sketching-on-a-plane/m-...

[MichaelT_123]

Hi Mr BradBylls,

Consider,

1. draft a standard sketch(es) on XY,  (XZ) plane(s).
2. Preferably on only one
3. Pull from the sketch your spring
4. Find a normal at the point you want to place the spring
5. Based on the surface normal and perhaps other auxiliary info, apply an appropriate transformation to a body/component of the string
6. Creation of the new occurrence is preferable
7. More demanding option 
8. Forget about sketches 
9. and build a Coil Custom Feature

Benefits:

1. you will avoid the problem with a sketch orientation
2. you will make F360 sketch-pregnant only once
3. so your Designess will be slimmer and more responsive
4. you will also save on your tending time and the energy bill
5. not to mention sketches screaming for continuous updates
6. with a greater probability of a happy outcome

Alternative … only if you are not in a hurry :

1. Unless you want to build something more sophisticated than straight-squeesher
2. Approach TF360 to upgrade the existing Coil Feature or Coil Primitive with new functionalities

Regards

MichaelT

[brad.bylls]

@BrianEkins

Is it possible to set the direction? 

You see in the images I have and the rectangle and line. 

If I can set the direction, that should my problem. I just don't know how. 

Thank you. 

[BrianEkins]

Unfortunately, Fusion doesn't support defining the sketch orientation. The only edit that's supported is to change the plane it's on.

[MichaelT_123]

Hi Mr BradBylls,

Consider:

1. Get the model coordinates of the auxiliary line (use: sketchToModelSpace())
2. Transfer these coordinates to your sketch space (use: modelToSketchSpace())
3. Based on it and other necessary macka-geegees, draw your rectangle

Regards

MichaelT

[brad.bylls]

@BrianEkins 

Changing the plane in this situation does not seem to be an option.

[brad.bylls]

@MichaelT_123 

I'm working with projecting an end point of the line and ModelToSketchSpace.

I hope then to compare it to the Sketch xDirection and maybe get something from that.

Not sure what I'm doing but plugging along.

Thanks for the tip.