3d Driveable Model Constraints

[dallasN79PV]

Hi Everyone

Please excuse my terminology, I am new to Fusion 360 and new to CAD in general.

I am trying to make a driveable 3d model using parameters.

I manufacture stainless steel handrails for a living and I am trying to setup a base model, from which I can just enter the parameters on a per job basis to modify the drawing in order to cnc mandrel bend the tube.

Here lies my problem....

If you look at the two attached screenshots attached, you will see that when I modify the dimension circled in red, the upper section of the handrail does not all move perpendicular to the dimensions I have just changed. Rather only the end of the line attached to the one that has had the dimension changed moves.

I have spent hours playing with constraints, driven/not driven, changing my drawing workflow etc... none of which have fixed my problem. I thought a perpendicular constraint would be the solution however it will not allow me to select the two lines where this problem is occurring.

Is this associated with the drawing being 3d, is this a workflow issue, is this a constraint issue?

Any assistance would be appreciated, thank you in advance.

Dallas

[Anonymous]

Please attach your F3D file.

[dallasN79PV]

Hi Zevster

Thanks in advance for having a look at this for me....

[Anonymous]

Until you have fully constrained your sketch geometry (all lines turn black) you will run into problems like the one you are experiencing.

[dallasN79PV]

Ok... any advice on how I do that with this particular model which I want to keep drivable?

[TrippyLighting]

Sure. I am assuming there are still a couple radii missing. Can you just make a screenshot of your design and sketch this in by hand ?

One method I use to replace 3D sketches is to simply create a solid body and then use the edges of that solid body as the center lines for sweeps or the pipe tool.

[Anonymous]

That's the solution I would go with. Much easier than figuring out all the 3d Sketch Constraints!

[dallasN79PV]

Thank you for your help guys... after wasting another 6-8hrs, its time to pay someone to build this model for me!!

[TrippyLighting]

I'd be happy to do that!

Please send me a PM.

[kb9ydn]

Putting aside the question of best methods for the moment; this should work at least in theory.  I played around with the sketch a bit and it appears that something is messed up with it.  It's indicating that most of the sketch is not fully defined, but at least some of it should be according to the shown constraints.  So I think in this case the sketch solver is just confused and there is a bug somewhere.  It would be worth posting this over in the issues forum so the developers can look at it.

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[TrippyLighting]

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@kb9ydn wrote:

 It would be worth posting this over in the issues forum so the developers can look at it.

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In theory I agree, but quite frankly I am not so sure the current team of developers that are working on the sketch engine really know how to create a stable product as it pertains to 3D sketches.

The 2D sketching part has become better, but the 3D side is incredibly inconsistent and full of bugs.

Given the history of fixed and then broken again functionality I would actually hope that they fix the 2D stuff and then leave it alone for a while.

[kb9ydn]

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@TrippyLighting wrote:

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@kb9ydn wrote:

 It would be worth posting this over in the issues forum so the developers can look at it.

---

In theory I agree, but quite frankly I am not so sure the current team of developers that are working on the sketch engine really know how to create a stable product as it pertains to 3D sketches.

The 2D sketching part has become better, but the 3D side is incredibly inconsistent and full of bugs.

Given the history of fixed and then broken again functionality I would actually hope that they fix the 2D stuff and then leave it alone for a while.

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I wouldn't argue with any of that.  Even in good old Solidworks 3D sketching is quite a beast to tame.  I try to avoid it if at all possible, with the exception of wire frames for tube structures.  Fortunately I don't do these very often and even then a lot of times I'll break them up into multiple 2D sketches on different planes.  When you really get down to it you end up doing the same amount of work anyway, whether it's a single 3D sketch or multiple 2D sketches.  And 2D sketches are always easier to manage, so... yeah.  3D sketching is pretty low on the priority list of you ask me.

C|