Cannot patch sketch

[Anonymous]

Hi all. I have sketched the front bumper of the car I am building, but I cannot patch the sketch. It comes up with an error stating 'Operation failed, try adjusting the values or changing the input geometry. ' Any idea how to fix this. Thank you.

[TheCADWhisperer]

Oops, let me take a second look...

Are you attempting to follow a YouTube video?  If yes, what is the link?

Sketch70 is very rough.

[Anonymous]

No trying to do it all from scratch by myself

[TheCADWhisperer]

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@Anonymous wrote:
No trying to do it all from scratch by myself

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This is not really an appropriate project for a beginner.

I noticed that the Wheels were poorly done (very basic geometry).

I recommend that you start with easier projects increasing in difficulty over time working back to this project.

What have you modeled before this project?

Can you Attach some examples?

First thing you will want to do is master 2D sketches before moving on to 3D sketches.

[Anonymous]

I'm enjoying the task of building the car, I'm not looking to master fusion 360 or CAD in general but rather explore all the paths and tools that fusion 360 has to offer. I feel as though I learn best when I have something challenging for me and, most importantly when its enjoyable. If you believe my thinking is wrong please do tell me, I will be starting first year university for mechanical engineering this September and wanted to get a head start in all areas not just CAD. As for other projects I've completed, I have built a rocket which I have attached below Thank you.

[TheCADWhisperer]

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@Anonymous wrote:

I will be starting first year university for mechanical engineering this September and wanted to get a head start ....

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I have taught engineering design for nearly 30 yrs.

Quite frequently the starting challenge for new students is to "unlearn" techniques that have become habit.

First thing I notice in you Rocket design is that many of the sketches are not fully defined.

I recommend that you go through these 8 videos. Here is the first one.

[TrippyLighting · Accepted solution]

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@TheCADWhisperer wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

I will be starting first year university for mechanical engineering this September and wanted to get a head start ....

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I have taught engineering design for nearly 30 yrs.

 At University Level! 

[TrippyLighting · Accepted solution]

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@Anonymous wrote:

... I feel as though I learn best when I have something challenging for me and, most importantly when its enjoyable. If you believe my thinking is wrong please do tell me ...

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Choosing something challenging and enjoyable is certainly of value as it can help you through difficult portions.

Modeling a car is too big of a challenge for a beginner in my opinion. The results might look fine to the untrained eyes of beginners, but people even experienced hobbyists can quickly tell the difference.

The techniques and tools you chose to model this in Fusion 360 not only create substandard surfaces, they have almost zero application in Mechanical Engineering.

If you are trying to get ahead in that area I suggest following @TheCADWhisperer's instructions.

Also, in the vehicle industry the tasks of designing and modeling the visible exterior and interior surfaces  on a professional level are usually not performed by mechanical engineers and require specialized software.

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[TheCADWhisperer · Accepted solution]

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@Anonymous wrote:

I feel as though I learn best when I have something challenging....

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...and for something a bit more challenging (but not nearly as challenging as a car).  One of the more complicated parts I give to you in finished form.

Can you create the part on your own after going through these eleven videos?

[Anonymous]

@TheCADWhisperer @TrippyLighting 

Thank you both for you replies, I definitely understand what you both are saying and will take you advice onboard. I think I wanted to be able to showcase my ability in CAD by having a project to display when applying to internships or placements next summer, I do understand vehicle design isn't a task mechanical engineers carry out. But if you believe that to a trained eye the design is flawed, then I will definitely stop. I will get started with the plyers aswell @TheCADWhisperer! Thanks once again.

[TrippyLighting]

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@Anonymous wrote:

@TheCADWhisperer @TrippyLighting 

 I do understand vehicle design isn't a task mechanical engineers carry out. But if you believe that to a trained eye the design is flawed, then I will definitely stop. 

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The surfacing tools in Fusion 360 at this point in time make it difficult and very laborious to develop a car model. It can possibly be done, but in any case the patch command would definitely not be part of that conversation.

A better and likely easier way to do this are T-Splines. This YouTube channel by Gichi Endo, a professional vehicle designer shows proper techniques. 

For your professional mechanical engineering endeavors  the instructions by @TheCADWhisperer will serve much better than trying to model a car.

BUT ... there's always a but ... if you simply like modeling "nice" shapes, then don't loose sight of working with surfacing techniques. In order to develop those you need to look beyond Fusion 360. The guy running the Handlebar 3D YouTube channel is a vehicle design professional and uses high end surfacing software (Autodesk Alias). Alias has many tools you won't find in Fusion 360 but the general concepts and considerations are still applicable.

Once you start watching his content, you'll see how far off you were with the techniques you used in your Fusion 360 design 😉