Change dimensions on new parent component (to create longer cabinet)

[James_V_Ades]

This post answers how to change the dimensions of a single component (without other components being considered) like nailers, bottom, top, for cabinets: https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/fusion-design-validate-document/after-copy-paste-new-how-to-dimension.... What I'm trying to do is take one cabinet I made and use the paste new function to create another longer cabinet next to it. How would I do that?

James

[James_V_Ades]

You can see here the second cabinet that I am trying to make longer

[jhackney1972]

If the first model has the necessary dimensions to change the size, then the Paste/New should carry the same dimensions.  You should then just activate the new model and edit the dimension.  Hard to say without seeing the model.  Please attach it.

If you do not know how to attach your Fusion 360 model follow these easy steps. Open the model in Fusion 360, select the File menu, then Export and save as a F3D or F3Z file to your hard drive. Then use the Attachments section, of a forum post, to attach it.

[James_V_Ades]

Okay, thanks, I've included the model. I'm learning Fusion, so it's a bit messy. The two cabinets I'm working on are within the walls. 

The new cabinet has dimensions, but once I've activated it, I'm not sure how to change the dimension of the new cabinet (from 24 to 30).

Thanks!

[James_V_Ades]

Also, oven_cabinet is the original (24 inch) and new_sink_cabinet is the component I want to change to be wider.

[jhackney1972 · Accepted solution]

I cannot find any cabinet, new_sink_cab or oven_cabinet, that are 24 inches in any direction.  They both have a dimension of 23.75 in the same direction.  I have changed the new_sink_cab to 30 inches in depth.  I moved it out since it was not positioned with a Joint.  There is a strange board hooked to it but I left it.  You are not very clear on what you truly want, since dimensions do not match what you original wrote, I can only guess the direction you want to increase to 30 inches.  Model attached.

[jhackney1972]

I want to bring something to your attention. When responding to a post from someone, do not use the "Post Reply" icon as this will address your post to yourself. Instead use the "Reply" icon on the post you are responding to address your post to that person. Look back at the messages in this post and you will see what I mean.

[davebYYPCU]

Make a new parameter for the new cabinet width.

Edit this offset plane and replace the existing (name) with the new parameter name/value.

Might help....

[James_V_Ades]

Thank you! Yes, that is exactly what I wanted. I think at some point it must've changed from 24 to 23.75. What operations did you use to change it to 30inches (I played with modify and scale but that didn't seem right).

Also, regarding the other component attached to the new_sink_cabinet, yes, that is another thing I have been trying to troubleshoot. I do I separate that from the cabinet? It happened by mistake when I did not realize that the new_sink_cabinet was activated. I've been watching YouTube on Fusion which has been helpful, but they don't always address problems like this that I run into.

Thank you!

[James_V_Ades]

Thanks, I will do this!

[James_V_Ades]

Hmmm...it appears to be 24inches for me; it was showing up as 23.75 for you? See bottom right

[James_V_Ades]

Okay, so I tried that approach, and this will be a good thing for me to know and understand. Is there something I did wrong along the way such that it ends up like this?

[James_V_Ades]

Actually, I wanted the width (length) changed, but it's probably the same process if you can explain how you changed the depth. Also, could you say a bit more about "positioning a component with a joint"?

[davebYYPCU]

Sorry I did not examine the way you built the cabinet - 

The timeline reads as make offset plane, and then make midplane, before using the midplane to mirror side one.  

Then the rails were made, I presumed, extrude to object, but maybe you did it some other way.

That pic shows that the sides and rails are using different parameters.

Both cabinets have the same initial timeline, so if I picked the wrong one to modify, change to the other one.

When you see fit to use a Move command, stop and ask us for the best practice.  25 plus moves in the opening screen means I resorted to answering just the simple question.

Might help...

[davebYYPCU]

Changing the cabinet in the other direction, 

but it's probably the same process (yep changing a parameter)

Should have been, but you are not following Rule #1, and that is going to bite - now.

The 23.75 value is in the sketch that belongs to the Wall Component, and then it was copied as New for the second cabinet, wonder why we are confused?

Short answer - same sketch used in both components, you are stuck with both having to be the same, so far.

Joints, work only with Components.  Creates a position relationship, between the stationary and the loose component, end result, both components are locked together in the correct spot. 

Might help...

[James_V_Ades]

"When you see fit to use a Move command, stop and ask us for the best practice.  25 plus moves in the opening screen means I resorted to answering just the simple question."

I'm not entirely following this. Should I be using join vs move? I thought I could just use move and then create a rigid component. Oddly, when I tried using join just now (to join the bottom of the cabinet to the side), it joins it to the object but then after I click "OK," the bottom moves back to where it was.

[davebYYPCU]

Move tool should be avoided, some of it's functions are not parametric (set and forget - not right? has to be done again).

That I counted 25 Move icons when the file opened, was remarkable.

Joints only work on Components.

Moving / Aligning bodies (does not lock them in place) is best done with moving the sketch planes,

which is best done in Components,

which are positioned and locked by Joints. 

If the preview acts as expected but the Joint does not - then you have something else acting on that component.

Normal to drag a component near the logical position,

Capture the Position,

make the Joint,

Delete the Capture Position as it is now redundant.

Might help....

[jhackney1972]

Sorry I did not show you how I expanded your cabinet, I got busy.  The video below will explain what I did.  This is NOT the proper method to edit but since I could not figure out how you created the model in the first place, I used quick and dirty method.

[davebYYPCU]

(yep changing a parameter)  It's what they are for.

Go to change Parameters, in User Parameters section you have a cabinet parameter (24 in - a door thickness), 

change 24 to 30, much less work than John's workaround.

Might help...

[James_V_Ades]

Thanks, the screen capture is really helpful for figuring out what you did and learning new methods/techniques.

 I created a new design to implement what you’ve shared with me and learn this a bit deeper. Could you take a look at the timeline and see if I'm doing this correctly? If I understand Rule 1 correctly, it is to create all components you think you will need at the beginning, such that the timeline and parametric modeling will be easier to work with. (So this would mean that I should not create new components as I extrude objects, etc., I should have already created what those components will be and keep these as bodies?)

So I created the walls, fridge, dishwasher, and then began making the lower_fridge_cabinet, I activated this component and then created all the components for this cabinet. At this point, does everything look good?

I joined the fridge to the wall, but I’m now trying to figure out how to bring the cabinet I created around and place it next to the fridge, maybe two inches away. I assume I’m supposed to join this to the edge of the wall, but how would I do that such that I can place the cabinet where I want it, without having to join it to the fridge and could choose to move it a little further from the fridge later?

Also, I’m not sure if there was a time limit on the video, but it seemed like you were starting to explain something important and then it cut out.

Thanks so much for your help!

James