can't select a face

[leonpiper69]

First day trying out fusion...I know I am a complete rookie. I watched pretty much every video and now I am trying to play with it. 

I opened and STL file and I want to direct edit the model. The issue I am having is probably a super simple one and I am just missing it. The model has thousands of lines all over it (ok maybe just a few hundred) but I can't figure out how to select a surface....

All the videos I have watched seem like they either aren't showing you a first step or maybe this model can't be used in it's current state. 

I fell like some who is saying the car won't go and then someone says "take it it out of park...."

I attached the file in case anyone wants to open it and see if it's an issue with the file. Scratch that last bit. I tried to post twice and it is not working. Now I will try without the file attached.

Thanks

[mavigogun]

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@leonpiper69 wrote:

The issue I am having is probably a super simple one and I am just missing it.

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It is- but not in the way you'd hope.   Modification of the object will require a set of developed skills that a simple "how to" will not satisfy.    You can't cheat experience.   You're essentially asking "how do I perform a novice-intermediate level task with the capacity of a beginner".   You already have the (unsatisfying) answer to that question!

One place to start developing that foundation is here:

https://f360ap.autodesk.com/courses#getting-started-for-absolute-beginners

[leonpiper69]

I have played with Free Cad and can draw a bit. I have some understanding and I have watched all of those videos. Lesson 17 about direct modeling made it look as though you can just open the file and click on a face. In my case that's not the case.

As it stands now I can open the file but I can't make an edit. I am worried there is an issue with the model itself. Without having seen the model I find it a little odd you are ruling out that it can't be that LOL.

I just tried posting this post with the file attached and for some reason when I attach the file it will not let me post at all.......

[mavigogun]

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@leonpiper69 wrote:

 As it stands now I can open the file but I can't make an edit. I am worried there is an issue with the model itself. Without having seen the model I find it a little odd you are ruling out that it can't be that LOL.

You've misrepresented what was written- I didn't state the file couldn't be confronted. Sure, I could show where to put the key to start the aircraft- but the question itself suggest a cart way out in front of the 747. Continuing that metaphor, the 'I've watched lots of training videos but have never attempted any actual training with the aircraft' is a problem that "laughing out loud" does nothing to mitigate; such expressions of contempt won't serve you well here- or, really, anyplace.

I just tried posting this post with the file attached and for some reason when I attach the file it will not let me post at all.......

Are you attempting to Attach the file via the forum, or by email? Such submission can't be made via email.

[leonpiper69]

It's funny, I have read a lot of posts on here and though I want help I had hoped it wouldn't be you who replied. Every post I see you in is nothing but criticism and bashing.

You have no idea what experience I have or do not have. I have played with solid works a bunch. I have played with free cad for over a yr. I am laughing because it is very funny how presumptuous you are. If you can't see that, it's not my problem.

And of course I tried to attach it to the actual post. For some reason it will not allow it to post once attached. 

If you want to actually help then please do. If you want to just feel superior and talk down to people please refrain from posting in my thread.

Thank you

[davebYYPCU]

The key to all of this, your mention of an Stl, without any further clarification.

if you are selecting a face of a Mesh model, very little will happen.

if your face is not flat, most modelling tools will not work with non planar faces.

or lastly, is there a sketch or profile in front of that face.

if the file won’t attach, does it have linked components bodies in it?  F3z files have to be linked to here, F3d files will attach.

Might help....

[mavigogun]

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@leonpiper69 wrote: Every post I see you in is nothing but criticism and bashing.

I suggest a broader sampling will defy that impression.

And of course I tried to attach it to the actual post. For some reason it will not allow it to post once attached.

It's common with folks having trouble submitting Attachments to be attempting to do so via email- so, it was a natural question... not a slight. How large is the file? It may be smacking up against a size limitation. Sometimes an extended period is required before large files will Attach. Alternatively, occasionally, editing a post for an extended period sometimes results in some sort of 'token' mismatch where the forum doesn't recognize the submission as coming from the same user that clicked reply; in that case, there is usually a red banner saying as much. Was there an error message?    I've been experiencing problems with Firefox Attaching files, so use Microsoft Edge only for this purpose.   There's always the possibility an update to the forum broke the Attachment function.   I'll test it here:



Alternatively, Autodesk offers a great screen capture utility that would allow your workflow to be diagnosed. You can find it here: https://knowledge.autodesk.com/community/screencast

[leonpiper69]

It may be a mesh. I have never messed with anything other than solid drawings. All the drawings I have edited in the past have been my own. This one came from Grabcad. And that is part of my confusion, I was wondering why it had so many lines and was not clickable like a solid drawing. This model has lines all over the face, lots of them. I wish I could attach it (it's only @ 212 kb) so someone could see it and verify but it just refuses. Perhaps I should do a screen shot....and attempt to attach the jpeg.

I was looking for a model already done to start with as a base to save some time. I may just have to make a drawing of the model I want and leave out a bunch of features I don't necessarily need. 

I don't own a cnc. I have a bridgeport and a decent lathe so I have never had the "need" for cad in the past. But I am hoping/planning on making the jump to a beginner cnc like a haas tm1 or mini mill and so that's why I want to learn cad. 

Right now I do some custom 1911 stuff but it would be nice to have create some nice drawing especially because of scale. I once drew something on paper and then when I machined it I didn't like the way it looked so I had to make some changes to make it more aesthetically pleasing. If I can do it in cad first I will have a better idea how it will look before I cut up expensive parts and possible waste them.

[davebYYPCU]

No problem with any of your intentions, it is what we do.

Quick clue, the body in the file - is it a mauve (not blue or purple but close) colour?

If so that is 99% of the problem.  There are ways to "use" the File, but without knowing what it is and what you want.

 

If the body is not that colour you should be Ok.

File > Export, save to hard drive, and attach to here just under this window. 

[leonpiper69]

Oddly enough I had closed it out earlier and I opened it now contemplating a screen shot and I can select a face all of a sudden. Well at least I can now play around with it and learn some more about fusion. 

[leonpiper69]

It is light blue. I wouldn't exactly say mauve as to me that is more of a lavender pinkish color. It is blue (darker and lighter in areas). Not knowing fusion I don't know if that is good or bad.

Let me see if I can attach a screen shot....

[davebYYPCU]

Yup, definitely a mesh body ( I will go with mauve)

What did you want to do with it?  If it is over 10,000 faces Fusion will not convert it to a solid body, and if it can, will look just as segmented.

You can reproduce that with a solid body with a little work,

using Sketch > Mesh > Create Mesh Section,

then Sketch > Mesh > Fit Curves to Mesh Section.

Might help....

[leonpiper69]

I will try to do that and see what happens. 

I do simple stuff on the mill. Like this 

That one is a simple flattening of the top and a simple port. 

And I had a minute after getting the kids to bed (what fun) and I realized I couldn't select it. I was drawing on a plane and not on the part. 😞  

I will try fitting curves in a bit and see what happens. Otherwise I may just have to draw a simpler version.

I want to be able to do more complex options like this eventually when I can get a cnc 

That example ^^ is a little extreme but you get the idea. I don't want to draw something that complex on paper without really knowing how it will look.

[leonpiper69]

No luck on mesh. I am just going to have to bite the bullet and do a drawing from scratch. 

It's funny I probably wasted more time trying to use an existing model to save time vs if I had just drawn it from the get go.

[davebYYPCU]

Nope, there is a way to get the best of both worlds, 

Your right I would not convert the mesh model, but I would certainly section it, and convert to solid replica using the given dimensions etc.

Attach the file you have so far, will do some beginner steps for you....

Might help...

[leonpiper69]

It won't let me attach it. I am just messing with a fresh new sketch and learning where all the diff tools are hidden in fusion. 

The wife just got home from the base so I need to turn off the comp anyway. I do appreciate the input and help. I could email a file or maybe send it as a message if there is a way on here to do that.

[TrippyLighting]

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@leonpiper69 wrote:

No luck on mesh. I am just going to have to bite the bullet and do a drawing from scratch. 

It's funny I probably wasted more time trying to use an existing model to save time vs if I had just drawn it from the get go.

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a lot of folks think they can save time this way and sometimes that works.

But what you really are doing is shortcutting your own learning experience.

If you want to ultimately CNC such complex geometry then the best way is to learn modeling this from scratch in CAD. Some of these skills you'll need to know when moving to CAM. 

[davebYYPCU]

PM sent, more tomorrow.

[JDMather]

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@leonpiper69 wrote:

It won't let me attach it. 

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If on Windows OS, right click on the original *.stl file and select Send to Compressed (zipped) Folder.

Attach the resulting *.zip file here.

Bottom line, *.stl is rubbish for any use other than 3D printing.

It is an end-use format, not a beginner’s starter foundation format.

I do not need to see the file to know that it is rubbish.

With a simple observation - you can easily verify this yourself.

Zoom in on the geometry, especially “curves”.

There are no curves in an stl file - only faceted planar triangles.

The real world parts in your image have many curved faces.

You stl has none. Zip, zero, zilch - the geometry does not replicate the real world.

You can put lipstick on a pig, but it is what it is.

[leonpiper69]

Yup starting from scratch and learning it all. I was excited ad wanted to jump right in and I need to go back to basics. A lot of the tools I am seeing are in diff locations that I am used to with free cad. I will play with the basics much more.