How to set initial start point mathematically?

[Anonymous]

Hello,
I am a former 123D user transitioned over to Fusion 360. While I find Fusion 360 greatly improved compared to 123D one thing continues to frustrate me.

When I am making a sketch, after I select the object or plane to sketch on, when I am attempting to place the first point I do not see mathematic coordinates displayed anywhere nor am I able to enter desired coordinate for the first point? As far as I see I just have to click and hope the point lands where I want it to? In 123D it would show me the X/Y coordinates and I could enter exactly where I wanted the point to land. 

I know there must be a way to do this, but the lack of display of global coordinate at the bottom of the Fusion 360 workspace and not having the X/Y coordinates shown when selecting a "point" is frustrating to me. If anyone could fill me in on what I am missing here I would greatly appreciate it.

[etfrench]

Turn the visibility of the origin on first.  Either start at the origin or dimension to the origin.

[Anonymous]

I've turned on visibility of the origin, still when I try to place the first point of a sketch I do not see the coordinate nor can I specify the first point mathematically. I am still missing something.....

[etfrench]

Yes, you're missing how Fusion 360 works.  Use dimensions to position geometry.  It would be beneficial for you to go through the Support and Learning videos.

[Anonymous]

So do I understand you saying that it is not possible to set the point by x/y coordinates, or do you just not want to spend the time to tell me? I appreciate my lack of expertise in Fusion, I am just trying to get over this hump, not become an expert. 

[davebYYPCU]

What he said is correct, (he did answer the question)

and you are also correct.

To make both work, you have to place the point first, anywhere, (and without the ability you are looking for),

then, with dimensions / constraints move the point to where you originally wanted it to go.

Obviously only a problem procedure (for you until getting used to it), with the first point of any article in free space. 

Might help...

[Anonymous]

Thank you, I understand somewhat better with your explanation.  Though it seems kinda backward to define the location after you have placed the point, and I do miss having the X/Y coordinates visible as you hover with the mouse.  I was hoping this was something I could just turn on in settings, I guess I will have to look into moving my points after they are placed and learn to live with it. 

Thanks for taking the time to respond...

[TheCADWhisperer]

File:Export and then Attach your first *.f3d Design here and I will create video demonstrating good modeling techniques.

[Anonymous]

Really? That is an incredibly nice offer, I really appreciate it! 

Attached is a design I made to mount a tweeter for a speaker, it has various holes that needed to be placed in specific spots, I did pretty good, but was unable to use actuall coordinates to place the centerpoints like I used to with 123D. 

I have also attached a second file, it is a cover for a hall sensor for my 3D printer endstop. I tried to use what I was told here yesterday but was still unable to place items like I need to. For instance, what if I need to place a hole in the sunken part of this design in a specific spot? Can I use the (sunken) surface as a reference plane, so the left most side (of the sunken surface) would be X=0? Seeing the outer edge of the raised portion as x=0 complicates the math greatly when placing points compared to working on the plane where the features are to be placed.

Thanks again for your generous offer.

PS and FYI, when I was first forced to move from 123D (which I was happy enough with and could get things done with accuracy, I would not have moved from it if I wasn't forced to) I DID watch some of the Fusion tutorial videos. I did get a bit of knowledge from them but don't use it often enough to retain much. Placing points/sketches where I want them mathematically (either upon first placement or after) is something I was never able to figure out.   

[TheCADWhisperer · Accepted solution]

Here is first part, second part will follow in a few minutes.

Turn on your sound.

[TheCADWhisperer]

Second part.

[Anonymous]

Thank you so much for taking the time to make that video. The concepts were very clearly explained and I think I have the building blocks to reshape my thinking when I design parts now. I will probably watch the video a dozen times when all is said and done.

The way I used to design was more pen and paper oriented, concepts from back in the day when that was the only option. I can see how using a properly placed origin and symmetry can make building and modifying a design much easier. Now I just need to get my head to cooperate when I sit down to create a part and not push me back towards the old way of thinking... wish me luck, that gets harder and hards as I get older! LOL

[TheCADWhisperer]

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@Anonymous wrote:

old way of thinking... wish me luck, that gets harder and harder as I get older! LOL

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61.5 here.

Sketching in Fusion essentially the same way I drafted on the drawing board more than 30 yrs ago.

Define a Datum and use Construction lines and Dimensions.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the second video. Again, loaded with proper concepts on how to design, way outside how I had been thinking about it.

When I designed that part I started with a rectangular box, used sketches to create the circles and rectangles to press/pull, drew lines diagonally from the circle to the edges to press away that portion, then used fillet to make curves.  It worked, but left me very frustrated when it came to symmetry and made editing to perfect the part much more difficult.  Basically I am putting the cart before the horse, or should I say the part before the sketch? LOL I will try to build parts working from the sketch to the part in the future, hope I don't get too frustrated!

Thanks again for taking the time to make these videos, they were extremely helpful and hopefully will result in a transformation in how I go about designing parts in the future.