Help Editing a complex sketch

[MikeRandallDesign]

Hi there

I have designed a new light fixture and I have since discovered that it is too large to practically manufacture. I would like to resize some of the components but when I go into the original sketch I am having a hard time working out how to do this effectively. How can I edit portions of my sketch (specifically the overall diameter) without messing up the other parts of the sketch?

Ideally I would like to avoid a complete redraw but, as I may have made a mistake in the way it's designed this, that may be unavoidable. If this is the case how should I have designed this so that the overall size could be adjusted? 

[TrippyLighting · Accepted solution]

Your sketches should all be fully defined, meaning they are properly constrained and dimensioned.

Once they are, sketch objects turn black to indicate they are "locked down".

The trick is to keep sketches simple and to constrain them in a way that dimensional changes result in the desired size changes, without breaking the model.

In your first sketch you used a sketch pattern, for example. Generally, if a pattern can be created with solid features then it is better not to do it in a sketch.

Also, you may want to investigate what the difference between bodies and components is and read up on Fusion 360 R.U.L.E #1

[MikeRandallDesign]

Thanks so much for that!! That all makes a lot of sense and will make future designs easier to work with.