Any tips for naming dimensions as you go?

[bentwookie]

I love that Fusion 360 is parametric. I find myself using user variables for most everything so I can go back and change dimensions. However, I find my current process a little tedious. 

1. I have to think ahead and make two user variables with names and values
2. When making something like a rectangle, use those variable names
3. Double check that the dimensions are actually tied to the variables (prefixed with fx:) and not just copies of the values  

Is there a better way to name as you go? What I'd like to do is enter something like: MyWidth=5 instead of 5 in the text editor field and have it automatically make the user variable and bind the dimension to it. 

Thanks!

[daniel_lyall]

you can do it how ever you wont it's only the name that is important, I pre fill the user parameters and name them a to z and have a list so I have a references, I export them to a csv file.

so if I wont a size adjustment I can ever do it in the user parameters or just add + what ever to the name in the dimension box so, something like a1+5 if a1 is 10 adding +5 will change it to 15.

also if you wont to use less parameters you can do basic math in the dimension box so for doing a rectangle you can have say a1 what is 20 mm then for the other edge you can just put in a1/2 what is 10 mm this would give you a 20 x 10 rectangle or a1/4 what would give you 5 mm. you can use +, -, *, /  in the box with a parameter first.

it the same when you do user parameters, it's pretty much the same as excel.

MyWidth=5 instead of 5 in the text editor field and have it automatically make the user variable and bind the dimension to it. you cant do this yet, you could put this in the idea station or ask in the api section if something like this can be done with a addon. 

[HughesTooling]

One tip that might help, make sure you name components and bodies as well then use those names as part of the parameter name.

Mark

[HughesTooling]

Something else to consider, you can rename the d# to something more memorable to use in other parameters as well.

Mark

[jeff_strater]

Hi @bentwookie, 

What @HughesTooling points out is a much easier process - just rename the variable in the parameters dialog, instead of going through the trouble of creating a user parameter for each dimension.  However, what you really want, I think is what you described as:  " MyWidth=5 instead of 5 in the text editor field".  This is an enhancement that is on our list, pretty high up actually.  But so far, other things have been higher, so we haven't quite gotten there yet.  There is already an Idea Station suggestion for it: define-parameters-on-dimension.  So far it only has 2 votes.  So...  vote it up if you think it's important.

Jeff Strater (Fusion development)

[bentwookie]

It helps for many things, but sketch dimensions don't automatically populate the parameters list.

[bentwookie]

Voted! Thanks for finding that for me!

[HughesTooling]

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bentwookie wrote:

It helps for many things, but sketch dimensions don't automatically populate the parameters list.

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I'm not sure what you mean, it looks like they do to me or do you mean something else.

Mark

[MattPerez314]

It looks like they don't but you have to expand the file name(or unsaved).  Then it will be organized by feature and sketch.  As long as you see the little triangle next to Model Parameters you can expand it to see the dimensions and feature based parameters.  Is this not the case with you?

[HughesTooling]

Just wanted to add this Ideastation Idea to this thread in the hope of more votes.

Mark

[bentwookie]

So they are! Thanks for pointing that out!