Creating a Slot with known dimensions

[bdg215]

I'm looking for the best way to make a slot on the side of this little bracket. I've attached the Fusion file for reference.

The issue I'm having isn't that I can't do it, but that the way I am doing it seems to be convoluted, and that it seems like there must be a better way.

When I am placing the slot, I know where it needs to go, but I'm not sure exactly how I should define those dimensions ahead of time. So far, the best way I've been doing for a couple years now is to create points at the correct dimensions by first creating planes that are the correct distance from existing geometry. That allows me to use the points that I know as a reference in the sketch.

However, every time I open a sketch, it occurs to me that the whole process would be much easier and take like a order of magnitude less time if I could simply place a line or point in relationship to geometry while I'm sketching. For example, first define an edge or vertex and then enter a distance to traverse before starting the line (or slot or hole or whatever).

This seems like such a simple thing to be able to do that I can't wrap my head around it not being an option. Am I missing something really important here, or is this just a limitation of AutoDesk software (or just a gimped feature that isn't available in Fusion to create software tiering)?

Thanks

[etfrench · Accepted solution]

You're working far too hard 😀

Note: See Rule #1

[bdg215]

To add to my question:

Another thing I sometimes do to save time while sketching is to make a like with the correct length and then use the end points of that (or those) lines in order to place sketch objects in the correct spot. I then go back and trim away the lines or curves or segments that I don't want in the final sketch.
This seems to work okay, but it feels like a convoluted and incorrect way to do it, and Fusion always throws up a warning when I start trimming the sketch.

Assuming there isn't a better and more convenient way to get the dimensions set, is this an okay way to do it?

Thanks

[bdg215]

Got it. I should just be using the dimension tool. I feel very silly. I even learned all this stuff in college (albeit on ProE), but it's always a bit different getting to know a different software.

Thanks

[etfrench]

Just dimension the geometry directly instead of using construction lines.  Construction lines have their uses, but aren't really necessary most of the time. 

[bdg215]

Yes, I figured it out, thanks. What though do you mean by "construction lines?"

[etfrench]

It would probably be best for  you to go through some of the tutorials in the learning section.

Construction lines are just normal lines which have an extra attribute which means they show as dashed lines and can't form a closed boundary.  You can convert any line, curve, spline, etc. to a construction line by right clicking on it and selecting Normal/Construction on the context menu.

[bdg215]

Thanks.