Interesting challenges to using fusion 360

[Anonymous]

Hello all,

I have a a rare, but in my belief not unique, set of challenges To Using Fusion 360. Due to a brain injury I find myself quadriplegic I am interacting with my computer through a popular commercial speech recognition software package (with a commercial aftermarket script package that enhances its functionality). 

Before my brain injury I was a CNC machinist and was learning AutoCAD 2000 (anybody remember that?). After downloading the Fusion 360 trial I realized it was possible to use the software (although right now abysmally slowly). I was told about these forums by a member of the Autodesk team that I would like to give credit to but at the moment I am unable to retrieve his name. I am looking for any advice, or thoughts about ways to control Fusion 360 more easily. My voice recognition allows me an extensive control (mouse moment, pressing mouse buttons, holding and releasing mouse buttons and keyboard buttons, and most if not all keyboard functions).

I have one silly question, At least right off the bat, I find no provision in Fusion 360 for me to define an origin point by entering numbers manually. The snap to functions help in the somewhat but I would find it more precise to just enter them.

Thanks for looking at this, and have a better day,

Jacob

[colin.smith]

Hi Jacob,

You are correct, there is no way currently to give a starting point based on a co-ordiante entry.  

Out of curiosity what is the software that you are using to interact with Fusion?

Also, are you able to more easliy use AutodCAD with your software?

Thanks

Colin

[colin.smith]

Hi Jacob, 

I found a developer on the Fusion 360 team who worked for a voice recognition software company.  Would you be willing to have a phone meeting to discuss your ideas for getting Fusion to work better for you?

Thanks

Colin

[Anonymous]

Hello Colin,

   The voice recognition software I am using is Dragon naturally speaking premium and the script package is Knowbrainer Pro 2015. I have not tried AutoCAD with this configuration as I have not had it brought to my attention as much as Fusion 360 has.

Thanks,

Jacob

[Anonymous]

Hello Colin,

   I would be happy to speak with someone, but at the moment my knowledge of Fusion 360 is extremely limited (18 days left on my 30 day trial), so I have barely scratched the surface of potential capabilities. Any information that might prove helpful about how my interaction with your software may improve myself and others capability overall.

Thanks,

Jacob

[colin.smith]

Hi Jacob, 

Have you tried any other CAD software using Dragon Naturally Speaking?  If so, how does your experinece compare with using Fuison?

Thanks

Colin

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

Hi Jacob,

I commend you for taking a positive proactive approach.  We can indeed do whatever we set our mind to!  First I would like to know if you've looked into what looks like really effective mouth movement joysticks, that can also have things like sip and puff sensors?  Here was one I was looking at:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/227850484/quadstick-a-game-controller-for-quadriplegics/descrip...

I'd be interested to hear what you think.

Jesse

[Anonymous]

Hi Jesse

Actually my exposure to sip and puff and mouth joysticks has been very limited in more than a little unsatisfactory, so in my brain unconsciously I had eliminated them as a possibility. Thank you for pointing them out for me to take a fresh look at. The link showed me how extremely capable they have become since I last researched them. To me existence is a series of challenges and win or lose how we played is what we have to live with. Again thanks a lot for giving me something else to research, this may well directly address this issue (as well as others)

Jacob

[Anonymous]

Hello Colin,

   I have not tried other CAD software at the moment although I am looking at exploring that as well as time permits.

Jacob

[Anonymous]

Jesse,

After doing some more research I have ordered a Quadstix and I will let the community at large know how they function. Thanks again for pointing me in this direction.

Jacob

[Anonymous]

Jacob, that's very exciting to hear!  I expect it to really work well for you, and should be great for Fusion 360. 

Jesse

[Anonymous]

Hello again Jesse,

I have have had the quad stick hooked up for three days, and while I am not nearly ready to operate Fusion 360 yet it is only a matter of practice and configuration until I will be able to.

Jacob

[Anonymous]

Hi Jacob, that's again great to hear!  I expect a system like that to provide a new level of freedom.  Will be very interesting to hear how you progress even further, and what you work on with Fusion 360 and other stuff in the future.

Exciting times 🙂
Jesse