Insert 3 meshes and joint them to an origin

[evanp4509U4JZ]

I don't know how to do this.

I have 3 meshes. They are scans of 3 different parts with a single commonality. I want to bring in the meshes, align them to each other by the commonality, and align commonality of the assembly of meshes to the origin of the project into which the meshes were inserted.

The meshes always insert in the most askew orientation imaginable.

Creating a component from the inserted mesh works.

Activating that component works.

Creating a 3 point plane on the face of the commonality creates a plane in a seemingly random rotation.

A joint origin created on the 3 point plane seems to work.

Creating a joint between joint origins and "eyeballing" alignment works OKish.

Jointing any single component to the project origin does not allow selection of the origin as a joint origin.

Jointing the assembly of meshes to the project origin yields a joint conflict error.

Exporting the assembly and inserting it into another project breaks all the joints.

Can someone outline the procedure of inserting and orienting meshes properly? I need there to be no confusion for users down the line as to the X, Y, and Z of the project for machining so project orientation is paramount.

[TheCADWhisperer]

@evanp4509U4JZ 

Can you Attach the files here?

[evanp4509U4JZ]

I don't really have a file yet. From what I've read on here in searches it matters whether you bring in the mesh by "insert mesh" from your computer or "insert into current design" from the menu on the left. No idea how it would get there if not "insert mesh"ed in the first place though. Whether you have design history turned on or are direct modeling, ( I can't seem to create a 3 point plane on the mesh while capturing history though) seems to make a difference. The meshes from our scanner are pretty crappy, pretty much a 3d canvas. Fusion hates them. They are all open. They hardly ever remesh or convert. I don't have another software to improve them. They are all firearms related because we make firearm accessories and sometimes the serial numbers are legible and I don't know how to obscure that. Plus I've seen a bit of resistance to firearm related content before so I was hoping to avoid the shock factor of scary things. The meshes are on my desktop as STL files. I have a paid version of Fusion. I am much better with a TIG welder than a keyboard.

So what I was hoping for was something like:

1. Open new blank file.

2. ?????

3. ?????

4. ?????

I do appreciate whatever help you can give though.

[TheCADWhisperer · Accepted solution]

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@evanp4509U4JZ wrote:

1.The meshes from our scanner are pretty crappy

2. ....sometimes the serial numbers are legible, and I don't know how to obscure that. 

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1. I would Insert Mesh each of the three stl files and set a new Pivot Point as needed in Move to get them oriented.  Given that the meshes are scans, you would then use as reference to model native geometry.

2. The serial number details can be removed in free Autodesk MeshMixer download from the Autodesk App Store.

[evanp4509U4JZ]

Yes, I realize the contradiction.

It always amazes me that they come out so overall poor with spots of perfect clarity, writing, model numbers, screw threads and giant gaping holes on flat surfaces.

Avoid "MOVE" seems to be a commandment so I try to usually, even though it is much easier to just move, measure, math it into place.

The work flow I was attempting was:

Open new.

Insert mesh.

Convert mesh body to active component.

Create 3 point plane.

Create joint origin.

Joint mesh component to "new file" origin.

3X.

Build Fusion native body square, flat and level to "new file" origin.

Do CAM.

Is that a "good" work flow or flawed from the start?

[TheCADWhisperer]

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@evanp4509U4JZ wrote:

Avoid "MOVE" seems to be a commandment so I try to usually, even though it is much easier to just move, measure, math it into place.

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There is no reason to avoid Move, but most beginners use it incorrectly.

Should be no need to Measure or Math. But that is like Move (just depends, maybe in this case it is appropriate).

[hfcandrew]

You could open all 3 meshes in MM, align them, then export.

Then use Edit>Align (using surface scribble or a pivot). If you want to align down to a known orientation, can align to the ground plane or set a plane (or a pivot) of your choosing and align to that.

https://help.autodesk.com/view/MSHMXR/2019/ENU/?guid=GUID-F9DE092C-1B8A-4327-8057-4FD31896AA43

Or there are like 4 other possible ways depending what you need.

Then just export from MM.