Can't edit sketch

[SGoldthwaite]

I created sketch (using projections) and capture history was off. Then when I turned capture history on, I can't edit the sketch.

See screencast: http://autode.sk/1sI9WRp

Attached is the fusion file

[TheCADWhisperer · Accepted solution]

If you right click on the last Base feature and select Edit

can you then right click on the Sketch and Edit the sketch?

[SGoldthwaite]

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@TheCADWhisperer wrote:

If you right click on the last Base feature and select Edit

can you then right click on the Sketch and Edit the sketch?

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That worked, thanks. I wonder why I need to do that.

[SGoldthwaite]

So now when I add dimensions to my sketch, there is no dimension name, like d1, d2, etc.  

[jeff_strater]

Yeah @SGoldthwaite, a sketch in a Base Feature or a Form Feature is a non-parametric sketch.  As such, it doesn't expose parameters to the parametric part of the design.  It's just a limitation of that kind of sketch.  The idea was a Base Feature is kind of an "island of direct modeling" in a parametric design.

Jeff

[paul.hermans]

Hi, I have this same problem, and I was able to edit it as you suggested. My question is, how do I stop it from being a "Base feature" which seems to essentially make it a useless piece of whatever as I can't even move the sketch elements or anything. 

I get why Base Features might be helpful, but so far it was a major mistake to make one.  Any suggestions would be helpful.

[jeff_strater]

Unfortunately, you cannot convert a Base Feature into a regular parametric feature, or a sketch inside of  a Base Feature as a "regular" sketch.

Yes, Base Feature is only useful in certain cases, and a sketch inside of a Base Feature is probably even less useful.  They have their purposes, but outside of those worfklows, I would stay away from these features.

Jeff

[kaan.williamsF6F4U]

I am astonished this software can exist commercially in such a horrid state. Every time I come to this forum looking for help dealing with an issue it seems the response is basically "this terrible hassle is a design feature". This is like the windows 98 of cad software.

Edited by
Discussion_Admin

[g-andresen]

Hi,

simply present a concrete example

günther

[kaan.williamsF6F4U]

Well, in my case I imported a step file then spent a load of time working on a sketch based on features of the imported object in order to build a new body. I "finished" the sketch then, after noting a needed change, I wanted to edit the sketch. Editing sketches was not available because after importing the step file I had not then manually turned on "capture design history". Apparently editing sketches isn't important/useful enough to always be allowed so I had to dump all my work and start fresh. Thanks for asking.

[TheCADWhisperer]

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@kaan.williamsF6F4U wrote:

 I had not then manually turned on "capture design history". Apparently editing sketches isn't important/useful enough 

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Why didn't you turn on Capture Design History?

Lesson learned?

[kaan.williamsF6F4U]

yup, lesson learned: the ability to edit sketches is hidden behind a setting named "capture design history" and the ability to edit your sketches is not assumed to be something you'd want to do (it's like drawing in pen! fun!) so you must learn this and enable the feature if you don't want to play on hard-mode.

It seems like the main message here is "easy to use software is boring." Is this just your position or that of the design and quality teams too?

[TheCADWhisperer]

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@kaan.williamsF6F4U wrote:

It seems like the main message here is "easy to use software is boring." Is this just your position or that of the design and quality teams too?

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I think their motto is "Design Differently". 

[brianjreid74]

Utterly moronic. Absolutely most useless forums I have ever seen as well. I guess I'll start over and waste more time. 

[lanawelsh10009]

I agree, Fusion is an embarrassment.  I am a professional software developer with over 20 years in the trade. I use fusion because it is Free, but we have grown into a commercial operation, and I have been considering a license.

Until today. 

I just went through the above rigamarole to get parameter referencing working again. No idea why it stopped. But once I enabled the bizarro "history" option, I was locked out.

Autocad, you should be ashamed of yourself. Besides a very buggy program, the help is the worst.  The forum for Fusion always references old solutions for features that are gone, moved, or changed.

A few issues over the past three years:

* Cam never worked
* Application sets off all sorts of security alerts

* Application has never been installed, it is always re-reading the image, verifying, and then loading

* Frequent crashes (new MBP here)

* Unable to hold a log in

* Toaster messages with links to "help" link to broken or missing web pages.

* The list is too long. Any discerning application user will smell this garbage in a minute.

Every developer, PM, and product person should be fired. I work in real software.

I just sent in the iniquity to move to Solid Works. $5k is not very expensive compared to the time and data loss and the frustration of dealing with a company as poor as AutoDesk.  

Let this thread be a lesson to anyone considering Fusion: Stay Away! You will get burned! It does not work!  It is embarrassing.

[g-andresen]

Hi,

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@lanawelsh10009  schrieb:

...It does not work!  

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I have been working successfully with it for 7 years.

günther

[whittakerdw]

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@lanawelsh10009 wrote:

I would take my own life.  

That right there is not even a reference that should be made. If you are so dissatisfied, why are you still on the forums. Obviously you're wanting something out of this. I am self-taught in Fusion so it really isn't that difficult to learn. There are literally thousands of videos and walk alongs to help you get better at using the software but for you to even take a stab at suicide is something that shouldn't even be brought up. You are taking a stab at an entire board of people who work very hard, way harder than you, mind you, to keep a software running and a community up and going so they can get their day to day operations done. I, as long as others, have had no problem with Fusion. Of course there is the occasional few here and there that struggle with trying to learn but those are also the people that go into it with the mindset that they will be able to do anything not knowing how the software works. Take the time to learn the software, or don't, it doesn't matter to me, but there is NEVER a reason to suggest taking one's life.

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[jeff_strater]

@lanawelsh10009 - We do not tolerate personal attacks on this forum.  This is not Twitter.  If @g-andresen has been working successfully with the software, that does not give you the right to insult him.  You have a different experience, that is clear, but I don't see anyone here insulting you because of that.  Please keep your comments professional and constructive.  If you have specific questions on using the product, that is what this forum is for.

[cjjames1800]

I know this is an old thread.

I haven't the slightest idea why it would be this way.

If you never capture design history you are able to edit sketches forever.

If you happen to make a sketch prior to capturing design history, it is assumed you will never need that sketch again and they go through the effort of locking you out of it. We just have to never forget to start with capturing design history before we begin. It's like how I turn off traction control in my truck as soon as I start it so it does not get me killed. I tried the base feature thing and sure I can edit the sketch but it's even worse to work with after that.  I just redrew my sketches. I'd like the option to project all features within a selection window rather than having to select each individual item of a sketch.

[jeff_strater]

"If you happen to make a sketch prior to capturing design history, it is assumed you will never need that sketch again and they go through the effort of locking you out of it"

This is not true.  The answer is presented in message #2.  If you edit the Base Feature that owns the sketch you can, indeed, edit it (just as you could before you started capturing history).  There is no "locking you out of it".