How in the heck do you select and modify an existing SVG?

[Anonymous]

I've used a lot of different software in my time, but this has got to be the most frustrating and useless interface I've encountered.

I downloaded SVG from thingiverse, want to change the face of a flat (gets assembled) box. I can "select" it, but cannot change a thing. I even tried offset, figuring I could at least make a new item. No joy.

The interface looks like a kid's toy, with no real tools that function.

I understand learning curves, but come on....it's as if the past 30 years of computer software never existed.

[TMC.Engineering]

UnFix

See this post for more details. there is a screencast in there if needed

[Anonymous]

Thanks, Timm.

I was expecting a right-click or contextual option. The Unfix has, indeed, opened the item. Thanks!

It's a tiny 99k SVG file, but takes forever for each activity. I guess my i5/8GB/2TB machine isn't up for the task. I thought it would handle small things, but under 100k and runs like a snail. It slices in about 3 secs, loads and moves STLs, Sketchup is quick, mostly everything else.

I just have a basic video card onboard. Is there a hardware acceleration enable/disable or similar I should be tweaking in the software?

I am looking at different software now, to choose one going forward for 3D printing. Don't mind learning something, but don't want to get into something of poor design and performance. If it's just me, I can learn just about any software. But the 99k file being so taxing on the system is concerning.

[Anonymous]

Okay, so 5 MINUTES to realize "Delete" doesn't 😞

That is to say, selecting items and hitting Delete key does not delete. But....hidden in a menu is a "Delete" function that does work.

I can't fathom how basic this function is/should be and why Delete doesn't.

Perhaps someone could recommend a simpler program geared towards 3D Models, based on a more standard interface?

BTW, I don't mind paying for software, even though this is *supposed* to be an educational license that Autodesk "can't process at this time" (or something similar). I've written to them, but no replies. I still have 28 days left to evaluate and decide if this is the software I want to teach my daughter to use.

We purchased a 3D printer and work with RPi and Arduino as part of her STEM self-study. We're planning on self-study course credit next term, so I need to choose software and submit the goals, milestones, etc.

Since my first thread here was a complaint, I figured a little more info about our situation would be polite 😉

I appreciate all replies. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Okay, so I decided to try different file formats. Same model, I have DWG and DXF.

I couldn't find a way to open DWG files 😞

DXF file is MUCH larger (as we all know), couldn't scale it, then the screen redraws failed. Fallback to slash commands...also not supported. I think Autodesk forgot its roots.

I don't know the intended marked for Fusion 360, but it is really a...bad, bad interface. Maybe it's "special" underneath, but the front end is enough to send people running away.

Good luck to the rest of you, I'm off to try out some other software.

I figure if I can't open and at least do minor manipulations on an existing model in under an hour...no sense learning an interface that so far from intuitive that it is essentially unusable to the average joe.

Thanks, Timm for your initial reply and help, but I think we're moving on. Cheers!

[TMC.Engineering]

@Anonymous

Sorry you are have a rough go of things.  You might be a little hasty leaving Fusion so soon.  There are a lot of people using SVGs successfully. The community could help you best if you attach you file a give a little description of what you are looking for.

I have been using CAD for 20 years and I would argue Fusion is one of the best out there, especially considering the price.  Like every product ever made by man there are shortcomings, but I think you will find there is no better community willing to help out a fellow modeler.

A keep concept is to not try and force fusion to act like XXXX software, you will regret it.  Instead try to understand the philosophy and nomenclature, you will be much happier.

So attach that SVG and help will follow.

[jeff_strater]

@Anonymous,

Can you share your svg?  My guess here is that, while the size of the svg may be small on disk, it probably contains a lot of geometry.  Fusion struggles with super-large sketches.  You are much better off if you keep to a smaller sketch.  What software did you use to create the svg, and what sort of settings did you use to save/export it from that software?

Jeff