How to move my sketch to the point of origin

[William_Dec_45]

I used an imported image with canvas to outline this tool. I already know I did it wrong, but how can I make it right? What I mean is-- how can I get my sketch moved to the point of origin without distorting it which is what happens when I try using the coincidence command. I need to figure out how to constrain the sketch and I figure that would be the first step though I'll probably still be stumped because I'm the world's worst at constraining sketches and I've been at it for some years now. Any help will be appreciated.

[jhackney1972 · Accepted solution]

I just sent you a video that will answer your question by email.  Did you not see it?  If not, it is attached below.

[William_Dec_45]

I accepted your solution. Thank you very much for it.

[Drewpan]

Hi,

Constraints are not really hard once you work out what they all mean. Hit the documentation for that.

In a nutshell, when you are constraining a sketch you need to think about what you are doing when you are

dimensioning and placing constraints. Sometimes fusion will auto-constrain which may or may not be what you

want. We put a length dimension on a line because we want it to be exactly this long. If you do not tell fusion how

long the line is then you can change its length simply by click and dragging the line. If it has a dimension on it you

cannot do this. Similarly, if you want the end of a line to be connected to another line then you need a co-incident

constraint. Often you want a line to touch a curve - do you want it to just touch the curve or do you want the line

to be Tangent to the curve? If you want a line to be hanging out in space for some reason then you may need to

define the point it begins with a horizontal and vertical dimension from the Origin. You then may want it to point

in a specific direction so you put an Angle dimension on it. Then you want it to be tangent to a circle. All of these are

useful constraints to use.

Other constraints may be that you have drawn a vertical line - but is it actually vertical or does it just look vertical?

By using a vertical constraint you make sure it IS vertical. Similarly you may want a line to be parallel to another

line - constrain it.

All of the constraints are used in certain circumstances and you don't always need all of them. Some geometry will

just lock down because you have put certain constraints and dimensions on other parts.

Finally. If you are having trouble constraining a sketch then use the Sketch.ShowUnderconstrained Text Command.

This will highlight the lines and points you have missed. Look at those lines and points and think about what you

need to do to constrain them. Try a few constraints to see if they work until you find one that locks it all down.

If you are STILL stuck constraining then ask a question on the forum and we will help you. It all comes down to

research, practice and asking for help when you need it.

Cheers

Andrew

[William_Dec_45]

Thanks for all that advice. Can you show me what this sketch would look like fully constrained (turning it black)? Thanks

[davebYYPCU]

Probably, but would not be exactly the same. 

You have many superfluous short lines, (what to do with them?  keeping them, means many more dimensions)

a few points that aren't doing something,

curves that are not tangent connected to straight lines, so something has to move, (what's allowable) 

Even the two lines off the centre line? are not square

Not one dimension.

Obviously, an imported sketch that will take a lot of time soaking work.

[William_Dec_45]

I think you're telling me that importing and image and then tracing around it with a series of 3 point arcs and straight lines will be inherently bothersome for CAD adaptation. If so-- I can live with that. I'm not fond of the practice anyhow.

[davebYYPCU]

Then it is not an imported sketch?

You have no discipline then.  Why would both lines almost square to the centre line not be 90 deg?  Simple as a vertical / horizontal constraint.  Sketching with constraints turned off, is a waste of your time.

Curve that are not tangent connected, creates creases at those points, you decide if you want flow or not, and it will certainly have to be tangent for Loft or some Sweep operations.

Might help....

[William_Dec_45]

Accidentally clicked on Accept Your Solution.

I meant to respond with this: You're talking completely over my head. I'm a novice and probably have no business being allowed to use Fusion or bring my questions to the forum.

[davebYYPCU]

Not at all.

What I mean is that if you draw the centre line, a dimension for it's length, horizontal, a dimension from the origin to one end, and coincident on the Origin, turns it black.

There are 9 white points some on the outline, that should not be there.  Zoom in and edit the point to be joined up, then fusion will actually hide any joined end points.  There should only be 4 centre points, they turn black when the arc is fully locked.

Next would be making the two blue vertical lines - vertical - with a dimension, they turn black, and work around the outline black articles will start to chain to themselves.

Might help....

[Drewpan]

Hi,

After mumbling under my breath and questioning who your parents were for about 20 minutes I decided to just stop

trying to dimension the file before I slashed my own wrists.

It is very unclear what you were attempting to do but I decided it will be easier to explain to you how to do it

instead of trying to fix it.

Any sketch should start with a line or a rectangle or a circle about the size of what you want to draw. Even if it is

a construction line you should associate it with the Origin some how and immediately dimension it. The reason for

this is that it will set the zoom on the screen to about the right size to draw the whole sketch. You might have to

zoom in and out for some details but in general you will not need to do this very much so it is less mucking about.

You also want to associate the origin somehow with the sketch. The Origin will always be the actual origin on your

first sketch but may be an offset origin that you create by projecting off other sketches or parts you create if you

are using the "design in place" method. It will be the Origin always if you are using the "Origin method". EVERY

sketch needs an Origin.

Once you have some geometry to scale your sketches constrain it somehow. If it is a line then give it a length

dimension. If one of the ends or the midpoint is on the origin then make it co-incident unless fusion does it for you.

Finally, if it needs to be along an axis then constrain it using the horizontal vertical constraint. If it is meant to be at

an angle to an axis then draw a construction line ON the axis and immediately put an Angle dimension between the

lines.

ALWAYS constrain as you go. This does not mean every single piece of geometry as you do it but it does mean no

more than a few things then LOCK THEM DOWN.

One of the Mantras of the forum is - blue lines and hollow points are unconstrained and should keep you awake at

night.

If you cannot work out why something is unconstrained then use the Text Command Sketch.ShowUnderconstrained

This will tell you how many curves(lines) and points are unconstrained and highlight them for you.

Constraining and dimensioning should always be done as you go and be logical. It isn't something you do at the end

it is PART of drawing. When designing, remember that you always want sketches to be simple and then use the tools

to create your model. Don't put fillets into a sketch - they are harder to constrain, instead draw it with corners and

use the fillet tools. Same end result, less cumbersome sketches and more robust models.

There is nothing wrong with drawing six or seven simple sketches instead of one complicated one. Remember that

the sketches are just the base for the tools to work from, they are not the design drawings. Design drawings are

generated from the MODEL not the sketches. Simple sketches are also much easier to constrain.

Generally you have an idea of what you want when you start. Sometimes you work it out as you go, sometimes you

change your mind. Use the timeline to make changes when you can to save kludging up the timeline. Look for

symmetry when you draw so you can draw the minimum then use the mirror tool to create the model. Anything that

can save you time with drawing is better spent on modelling.

I hope this gives you a better idea. Keep trying, keep asking for help. Keep learning. Enjoy it as you go.

Cheers

Andrew

[Drewpan]

Hi,

No. You have every business being part of the forum. We are a community and we help each other.

Cheers

Andrew

[davebYYPCU]

Might look like this, because different combinations will still get it done, 

Might help....

[William_Dec_45]

"After mumbling under my breath and questioning who your parents were for about 20 minutes I decided to just stop trying to dimension the file before I slashed my own wrists."

"You have every business being part of the forum. We are a community and we help each other."

Which is it Drewpan?

I would think any reference to my parentage would be a no go for forum language.

A couple of others have successfully constrained the sketch though somewhat put off apparently by my request to see it done. You, on the other hand were tempted to slash your wrists and still haven't constrained the sketch. Of course, all you have to do now is look to see how others did it.

[William_Dec_45]

Thank you. I'll try to replicate what you did.

[Drewpan]

Hi,

I didn't say we didn't try to have fun doing it while helping you. I was joking. Sorry if you were offended.

You are welcome in the forum. We are here to help. You are not the only one who has these kind of issues and not

the first or the last. I, like some others, at times do get frustrated seeing the same issues all the time. Many people

who post want the forum to do it for them and are not willing to at least try to look it up first in the documents or

previous answers in the forum. @davebYYPCU has heaps more experience than me and has helped me a number of

times. That experience translates to seeing things faster and better than me.

I actually like people like you posting because you are willing to admit you don't know, have had a go and you are

willing to learn. Sometimes I do forget that I was like you once, and not actually too long ago. I still ask questions in

the forum for my own problems.

I got frustrated because I rushed into it and got bogged down with all of the little line segments and random points

and trying to work out what you were doing. Probably my Autism showing. As I said - I am sorry if I offended you.

The "wrist slashing" and "parent questioning" definitely was my strange sense of humour and Autism showing.

Cheers

Andrew