Can't select objects in mirror function

[frugalguido]

I can't seem to select objects in in the mirror function, the mirror sub menu comes up (the one with the objects and the mirror line) but when I click on an object nothing is selected. 

[NicolasXu]

Hi frugalguido,

Thanks for reaching out to us. 

Sketch Mirror command only accept the objects which are inside the current sketch. Could you turn off the visibility of other sketches from the browser (by clicking the lamp bulb next to the sketch name) and see if the objects are in the current sketch? If the objects are in other sketches, you may stop the current sketch then edit that sketch to mirror objects.

Best Regards,

[frugalguido]

Ok,  I figured I would simply the drawing and made a simple box with smaller box in the center of the first box ( only one sketch). I then extruded the box to 19 mm, I then extruded the smaller box to 6 mm to create a pocket with the center box. Then did a mid plane on the 19 mm depth. I want on mirror the 6 mm pocket on the back side of the 19 mm piece. It still won't let me highlight the mirror function, thus won't let select the object. I am very frustrated/confused with the whole  program. The more I work with the thing the more frustrated/confused I get.  Another question/problem why when I extrude a sketch in the - Y direction does it always go to the +y when I hit enter?

[NicolasXu]

Hi

Thanks for the additional information. It seems the Mirror command under Create group on Ribbon menu would fit the needs of your simple example. I have created a screencast to show how to use the Mirror sketch command and the Mirror feature command, for your reference.

Mirror sketch command can only handle objects inside the current sketch. Also, it will mirror objects against a straight line, instead of a plane.

The Mirror model command can handle faces, features and bodies. It will mirror objects against a plane.

Regarding the last question of +Y direction, did you drag the arrowhead of the manipulator towards -Y or just input a negative value (saying -10) in the input textbox? I tried but not able to reproduce the problem. Is it possible to provide more information (model, screencast, etc.) here so we can take a close look at it?

Thanks again for your feedback.  

[frugalguido]

Ok, so a mirror sketch will on do a straight line not a plane. Looking at your presentation:

1. Why do you only draw the construction line from the zero point to the upper line and not thru the complete box? time line .16

2. When you go into the mirror function, how to do get 11 items selected ? It's just a rectangle. Time line .29

3. When you are working on my example, why do you turn off the sketch?  Time line 1.07  Also, what is the definition of different the pattern features?

4. Why does Fusion put the Z axis in a non standard direction?  Z in a Cartesian coordinates is always vertical.

5. I think I found my problem with the -Y, Even though I pulled the minus direction and changed the value (i.e 5.0), it won't assume the the pull in the negative direction, thus went in the positive because I didn't enter- 5.0. 

6. Is there a lesson that goes into detail on which plane to pick when you start a drawing, why would you pick one over another? All of the basic lessons start with picking a plane, but don't give a reason why the one was picked. 

Soap box time;

After watching 10+ hours of basic Fusion videos and reading multiple basic tutorials, It seems to me that all of the instructors are assuming a lot of basics are already known, but they are supposed to be teaching a basic course.  For example, when you have multiple function choices why do you pick one over another, they just pick a function and move on. Another example , the first lesson that talks about the preference menu, basically this is where the menu is located, but no explanation at all about the menu itself.

[NicolasXu]

Hi frugalguido,

Thanks for asking these questions. Glad to hear you want to know not only how but also why. Please see my comments below. In general, I would say, when using a design software, we usually have multiple choices to create a certain shape. Sometimes, the best choice is obvious and efficient, but sometimes, we may just take a choice out of habit or experiences. Just go ahead, try more things and discuss with others, we can always find the better way to achieve the design purpose.

1. Why do you only draw the construction line from the zero point to the upper line and not thru the complete box? time line .16

[Nicolas] In this case, I only need a vertical construction line thru zero point as symmetric axis. Either from the zero point or thru the complete box can satisfy the purpose. I use the former just because it can be drawn by less mouse clicks. (If we draw a line thru the complete box, we need apply coincident constraint to make sure the line thru the zero point. See the screencast below for my steps)

2. When you go into the mirror function, how to do get 11 items selected ? It's just a rectangle. Time line .29

[Nicolas] By default, we can select points and curves in Mirror command. I used an area-selection by mouse down drag from the left to right, thus any points and curves within the boundary will be selected. From the screenshot below, we can see there are 5 points, 2 construction lines and 4 normal lines. Actually, we can just select the 4 normal lines one by one. That I used the area-selection is only out of  my habit to reduce mouse clicks.

3. When you are working on my example, why do you turn off the sketch? Time line 1.07 Also, what is the definition of different the pattern features?

[Nicolas] Turning off the sketch is not a necessary step. I only want to show the result clearly. For the last question, are you looking for more explanation of the different pattern type? We can get more information from the command dialog.

4. Why does Fusion put the Z axis in a non standard direction? Z in a Cartesian coordinates is always vertical.

[Nicolas] Some CAD software uses Y axis as the UP direction. We have an option to set the default modeling orientation in the Preference dialog.

5. I think I found my problem with the -Y, Even though I pulled the minus direction and changed the value (i.e 5.0), it won't assume the the pull in the negative direction, thus went in the positive because I didn't enter- 5.0.

6. Is there a lesson that goes into detail on which plane to pick when you start a drawing, why would you pick one over another? All of the basic lessons start with picking a plane, but don't give a reason why the one was picked.

[Nicolas] The 3 plane stand for XY plane, YZ plane and XZ plane. We can distinguish them by the axes - RGB (red/green/blue) represent X, Y, Z axis.

Soap box time;

After watching 10+ hours of basic Fusion videos and reading multiple basic tutorials, It seems to me that all of the instructors are assuming a lot of basics are already known, but they are supposed to be teaching a basic course.  For example, when you have multiple function choices why do you pick one over another, they just pick a function and move on. Another example , the first lesson that talks about the preference menu, basically this is where the menu is located, but no explanation at all about the menu itself.

[Nicolas] Thanks for your feedback. We have been working on enrich our learning materials for various levels of users. There are 2 materials built in Fusion aided for beginners. Did you get a chance to go through them?

The Preference dialog provides options for users to customize their design environment, such as the units, default materials, etc. When hovering cursor over each option, there would be a tooltip to show what the option is.

Best Regards,

[frugalguido]

Thanks for the answers on most of the questions. On #6 ;

[Nicolas] The 3 plane stand for XY plane, YZ plane and XZ plane. We can distinguish them by the axes - RGB (red/green/blue) represent X, Y, Z axis,

I understand the three planes, but why would you pick one of the planes over the other to start the drawing?

[Nicolas] Thanks for your feedback. We have been working on enrich our learning materials for various levels of users. There are 2 materials built in Fusion aided for beginners. Did you get a chance to go through them?

Yes, I have gone thru all of them. I still think that when you have multiple choices in the menu, that the instructor on basic concepts should describe each one and the circumstances on why you would pick one over another, not just pick one. 

[TrippyLighting]

Hi,

I'd love to hear what your background is.

Onboarting and Training will be discussed at a meeting @ Autodesk in February, but mostly contains experienced to advaced users of the software. E.g. I have worked fo almost 30 years as an engnieer and 25+ of those with differnt CAD and other software systems.

Users that have the same questions as you are likely to be under represented and as such it would be interesting to hear why you picked Fusion 360 and what your background is to better judge what your training needs would be.

[frugalguido]

Some background, did audio design for 30 years, five years as an educator at a local college in audio theory, the last 10 or so doing some R&D in motion control and doing prototype machining. I also have been trying to mentor kids in the maker movement, into going for engineering/vocational studies. I have only done 2D drawing before this and before that ,drafting with paper and pencil (old school). I picked Fusion 360 because of the following;

1. Works on a Mac

2. Integrated CAM

3. Cloud based

[TrippyLighting]

Thanks for the feedback!

A student might ask you a similar question when peparing a technical drawing. Where do I start on the paper ?

Some stuff no software can  instruct you on, it simply comes with eperience. There is not hard rule for a preference on a plane or axis.

This may be different for CAM in order to have the part oriented correctly n the machine. Others may have more details on that as I don't work in the CAM environment.

[NicolasXu]

I agree with TrippyLighting that “There is not hard rule for a preference on a plane or axis.”

For me, when I create mechanical parts, I would consider its working orientation, use the real UP direction as modeling UP direction, and start sketch on the plane corresponding to the position in real world. However, it’s just my preference, we can always rotate the model to the desired orientation even if it was not modeled following the real world orientation.