Help understanding modeling process for project

[mcaliebe]

Like many here, I have only recently started working with Fusion 360.  I want to model an over-the-door clothes hook based on something I saw on MakerWorld.  I can do many simple projects with success.  I attempted to begin a design based on my sample, but I don't understand the work flow.  It is a "skeletal" shape and developing the sketch is throwing me.  I appreciate any guidance the community can offer.

[TheCADWhisperer]

@mcaliebe 

Can you File>Export your *.f3d file to your local drive and then Attach it here to a Reply?

One of the experts here will help you complete this simple task.

[mcaliebe]

Attached is the original STL.  I don't have a F3D file yet.

[TrippyLighting]

In that case, my recommendation would be to go through one, or more of the free tutorial curses here:

Link to the self-paced learning section.

You will still have questions, of course, but you will be much better equipped to ask them 😉

[TheCADWhisperer]

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@mcaliebe wrote:

... I can do many simple projects with success.  

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Give this Hanger a try and then post back.

Once I see where you are at I can give you step-by-step instructions on my process.

[TheCADWhisperer]

@mcaliebe 

Step 1. Place the geometry with Origin at a logical location.

You do this by turning on the visibility of the Origin.

Next insert the stl file.

Drag the move square glyph such that the geometry is positioned as shown below. (Don't worry about getting exact - we are using only for reference.

(I assume you want to learn how to create geometry like this and not merely to convert this stl.)

[TheCADWhisperer]

@mcaliebe 

Now start a New Sketch on the XY plane 

and sketch a vertical line from the origin and dimension as shown.

[TheCADWhisperer]

Now sketch a Horizontal line and dimension as shown.

As we proceed, we are not sketching the entire boundary - as we will use Thin Feature to create thickness.

Now add a R5 Fillet to this corner.

[mcaliebe]

Thank you for the directions you've offered.  I didn't consider importing and "tracing" the part.  I had calipers out and was pulling off dimensions. I can handle beginning the design, setting to the origin, and the horizontal/vertical elements.  How would you approach the curved and circular elements?  They appear to be 18mm circles, 50mm apart on center, and offset to 26mm.  To develop these features, would I work off the larger, exterior profile, draw circles, connect with arcs, and off set to the interior?

[TheCADWhisperer]

Now sketch by eyeball a horizontal line between the two circles as shown...

Wow!  Isn't this CAD stuff easy?

I'll bet you can guess the next step...

Sketch 2 circles at the ends of the line. Add dimension to one of the circles and add Equal (=) constraint between the circles.

[TheCADWhisperer]

Now sketch a Vertical line from the end of the previous lines as shown...

I hid the imported body for clarity.

Add a Coincident constraint between the endpoint of the line and the edge of the circle.  Then add a Tangent constraint.

click on the Horizontal line between the two circles and mash x on the keyboard to convert to Construction linetype.

Add the dimensions to the location of the construction line.

So Easy! So logical!

[TheCADWhisperer]

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@mcaliebe wrote:

  I had calipers out and was pulling off dimensions. I can handle beginning the design, setting to the origin, and the horizontal/vertical elements.?

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Great

Attach the *.f3d file of your progress for the next set of steps.

If you can do all of this - you should have already Attached your file as instructed earlier.

[mcaliebe]

Well, based on your examples, I imported the original and just started sketching over it.  I'm almost complete.  I still have some cleaning up and complete the skeleton around the circles.  Is it best practice to trim out cross members and circle segments as much as possible?  https://a360.co/3Q4PV4x

[evanp4509U4JZ]

Nothing to add. Just trying to learn. Why not use "create mesh section sketch" in the mesh environment? 

[mcaliebe]

I wasn't aware of this feature.  I tried it and it did a great job sketching the body.  I can't see that it is able to be edited.  Is there an additional step needed? That being said, I made the post to understand the work flow to recreate the part from scratch.  In a short time, I've learned quite a bit about multiple approaches and for that, I am grateful. Thank you.

[TheCADWhisperer]

@evanp4509U4JZ 

You could, but that is not a good idea for beginners.  Better to learn basic modeling techniques before progressing to the tools that do the work for you. Then you know how to recover when the auto generation tool doesn't quite get the job done.

[TheCADWhisperer]

@mcaliebe 

The key to this problem is that we are going to use Thin Features that significantly reduce the complexity of sketching.

Can you File>Export your *.f3d file to your local drive and then Attach it here to a Reply?  Cannot see sketch-only files on the viewer.

I could show you my entire sketch, but experience has taught me to evaluate progress steps before poor practices become part of the process.

[mcaliebe]

Attached.

[TheCADWhisperer]

@mcaliebe 

You are not following my instructions.

Start over and follow the instructions exactly as written.

Do not proceed beyond my explicit instructions and it will all work out much more easily.

Blue lines/arcs should keep you awake at night.

[mcaliebe]

I completed the general sketch which is attached.  I found as I went along adding lines, arcs, fillets, ect., the less constrained my sketch became.  I think constraining the sketch at this stage would be difficult.  I did some research on Thin extrusions.  I can see the appeal of extrude and shell in a single operation.  I suspect you had a tip for using this feature to extrude a perimeter design with a thick wall but I can't picture the operations and  how the interior elements fit into the work flow.