Help me to find an efficient workflow

[autodeskN884Q]

This is based on my prior question: Solved: Re: How to set a midpoint constraint on the horizontal? - Autodesk Community - Fusion 360

I want to build an advent calendar with fusion which I can 3d print later. 
This is what I use as template and want to clone in fusion. 

source: Advent Calender Laser Cut Card Boxes by demarjan - Thingiverse

In the first step I want to create the tree. Not the single boxes. But I want to be able to change the size of the boxes later on - so I want to use a dynamic variable here. Lets say I want to start with 80x80mm boxes and want to resize them later to 60mm because I didn't like the result. Then the tree should just resize itself accordingly.

I started doing a sketch with variables like so

But I got some replies saying that this is the wrong approach and it's bad practice. 

So I'm here asking for your help finding an efficient approach solving this task.

Thank you

[davebYYPCU]

What part of my timeline picture did you not understand?

Box (with your parameter)

Had to move it so it was centred on the Origin (bottom centre of face not parametric)

Copy that Box and Place it (Offset is half Box size - spacing by parameter)

Pattern Body - Symmetric (odd number rows - suppress - hides excess boxes.)

Pattern Body - symmetric, (even number rows ....)

Test by changing either Parameter, as you had set out in the file.

For open face boxes, delete face might work, but didn’t try that within the pattern.

If your boxes are actually not Cubes, then you sketch first one on the Origin.

can attach the file if you are stuck, but as a teaching exercise I didn’t add it in the post so you could see there was no sketching required as simple demo.

For same topic solved or not you could continue in those threads, they are not locked after solutions are tagged.

Might help...

[TheCADWhisperer]

Avoid duplication of work - let Fusion do the work of duplication.

Keep sketches simple.

The Attached should give you some ideas.

I would convert only one of the duplicate vertical pieces to a component and finish the tabs for 3D printing.  (Unless you want it to have the extreme screen appearance of all details, in which case edit each seed before pattern.

I leave the rest for you to complete.

A couple of the dimensions could be further tied together parametrically if desired for easy editing.

With some clever suppressions the multiple Extrusion of vertical slats and Patterns could probably reduced two (or maybe a single) Extrude and Pattern which means the sketch could be simplified more, but I didn't want to get too deep.

Edit: I just noticed one error that I made - but I leave it for you to find and correct.

[TheCADWhisperer]

Do not look at this file until you have attempted to complete the previous Attachment and resolved the error.

Challenge for anyone: Can you simplify still further?

[autodeskN884Q]

Hey, thanks for your effort. I do appreciate it a lot.

I checked both of your files and unfortunately I don't understand what you were doing here.

The black lines are called sketch lines - but the blue lines are also called sketch lines? So I don't know what's the difference. Also I don't know what the difference between a solid and a dashed line is - because again: it's just called a sketch line.

I do understand the pattern and the mirror. Yay..

Again: thanks for your support. I guess I'll go back and watch some beginner youtube videos. I didn't expect this to be such a hustle.

[jhackney1972]

Attached is my entry for your design.  It is parametric and can be adjusted using the three parameters shown below.

By changing the parameter "Cube_Size" you will change the tree pocket size.  If you have a 90x90 block to fit in, you may want to make it 91mm so it will fit easily.  The "Cell_Wall_Thickness" is the thickness of all the tree walls including the base thickness.  The "Cube_Depth" is the thickness of the complete tree.  The base width is will change also depending on the Cube_Depth parameter.

Model is attached.

[TheCADWhisperer]

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@autodeskN884Q wrote:

The black lines are called sketch lines - but the blue lines are also called sketch lines? So I don't know what's the difference. Also I don't know what the difference between a solid and a dashed line is - because again: it's just called a sketch line.

I guess I'll go back and watch some beginner youtube videos.

---

All are sketch lines.

Blue sketch lines are under defined - missing some information, unpredictable when editing.

Black sketch lines are fully defined and predictable behavior on editing.

Dashed lines are construction lines.

I will post a video tomorrow that you need to watch.

[TheCADWhisperer]

@autodeskN884Q 

Watch this video first.

https://youtu.be/lS6PranD8Js

Then if you are still interested I can show you how to break down your design into trivially simple steps. (Improving upon my initial attempt.)

[autodeskN884Q]

Okay I watched your video and I have a better understanding of sketching.

Now is the question: should I sketch my entire tree or should I use patterns?

Thank you, your effort is greatly appreciated.

[autodeskN884Q]

Okay I've tried sketching out the whole tree which worked pretty well this time. Though the sketch got kinda slow at the end. I guess there are too many constraints/dimensions.

But scaling does work now

It's also fully defined 

 

I've attached the f3d - I'd love to hear your feedback.

thanks

[jhackney1972]

The parameter table "sure looks familiar"!  

[autodeskN884Q]

Didn't think of that 😄
I just deleted everything in the sketch and started over

[autodeskN884Q]

Extruding is a little painful because I built 3-sided "cubes" which was a little naive. I left the bottom because there's always going to be something below. But The same applies but for the most upper cube. Kinda hard to change that now because of all the constraints. Seems I've to do it again 

[jhackney1972]

Extruding is very easy, watch the Screencast.  You can put the window around as many lines as you would like.

[TheCADWhisperer]

I’ll have a look at it tomorrow, but off-hand it looks all wrong to me and now I think you are being led down the wrong path.

[TheCADWhisperer]

Just bumping this to the top so that I don't forget to respond when I have time.