Best method for designing

[changedsoul]

I couldn't really find much on this when searching, so I am creating a new post. Sorry if its been asked or address already. Strange thing is, I feel I may have asked this already, but cant seem to locate it in my own posts, so maybe I wanted to and never got around to to....anyways... When working on a project that has more than one component, is it better to have all components in their own files? Having one "Assembly" file where all other files are then loaded into. Or should you create all the components in one file and just assemble them in the same file? Are there benefits and drawbacks to either way? If using separate files for components, how do you handle situations when a component relies on the geometry of other components located in others file, and or from some components in an assembled configuration? Hope was clear. Thanks in advance.

[davebYYPCU]

A simple answer to get the ball rolling, 

the choice is yours, and very design dependant.

Follow Rule 1.

For me I prefer As Built Assembly method, all components other than imported fasteners etc, built in situ.

But the devil is in the detail, and may not work for all.

[TrippyLighting · Accepted solution]

I would start with designing all components in one design.

Once you get to the limits of that you have enough experience so you can explore working with linked components.

Both methinks have their advantages and disadvantages. If you have components already for other designs that you'd like to re-use in the urn design, then you can use linked components. No need to re-invent the wheel.

[changedsoul]

Yeah I find myself really messing things up when I do everything in one file. I dont cad often, and I am bu no means an expert, and when I am trying to create something, after a while I find I have quite the mess.

Mostly because I lack the habit of always creating a new component and end up having sketches and bodies scattered. Thinking of keeping components in separate files seemed like it would be a good way to resolve that. I will continue to use a single file and just learn to adopt better habits.

[TrippyLighting]

There are certain habits that form when you use an application more often and you'll learn to navigate the sometimes treacherous waters of designing with the timeline in Fusion 360.

Something that I see a too many people doing is to delete something in a sketch earlier in the timeline that was referenced later in the timeline. That creates a yellow icon.

Or people delete other geometry that was referenced later.

Fillets and other features that are purely for visual appearance and not for function should be added at the very end. that way you're not tempted to use them as references later on.

[docara]

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@TrippyLighting wrote:

Fillets and other features that are purely for visual appearance and not for function should be added at the very end. that way you're not tempted to use them as references later on.

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What a brilliant piece of advice - where was a statement like that in the beginner tutorials.