Joints not working as expected - browser structure the problem?

[jackie_meyer]

This is my first fusion 360 project and is part of a larger project. I'm trying to build a strut that will rotate out and then down. I think the biggest problem is that the program has been creating components wherever it wants. Sometimes as a subcomponent of my overall component, sometimes as a sub of a subcomponent, which means the joints are in multiple places. This structure is driving me nuts. 

When I select animate joint relationships it only does the ones in the joints folder, so I can't see if it's all working. 

How do I fix this structure? I've already redone so many things trying to get this to work and can't risk making it worse. 

[davebYYPCU]

Will check the file later.

To rotate first, then go down, is done with a Motion Study.

the program has been creating components wherever it wants. 
Are you sure?

Might help….

[jhackney1972]

One of your main problem was the Outer Tube was a body where it needed to be a component to apply the Slider Joint for extension.  Model is attached.

[SaeedHamza]

I've taken a look at the file you attached, and the program isn't just create components wherever it wants, you're just making a mistake creating them without knowing.

Most of the components are located as subcomponents to other components, which will cause a problem when you try to create a joint between 2 components, but one is a subcomponent to the other, not sure what you did to cause such a problem, but I assume that you've activated a component and kept working creating the next one as a sub to the previous one, when you should have activated the main root again after you've finished a component and want to create a new one.

I've prepared a file (attached) fixing the heirachy of the components, making all of them subcomponents to the main root, and I had to turn off the timeline in oreder to do so, so take a look at the browser and the joints relations between the components so that you get how the appropriate joints should be applied in your case.

[jackie_meyer]

I realized that I had already forcibly fixed the issue of it creating components in the wrong place. It kept putting them under the main project header, despite selecting the 'strut example' component before creating it. As to the others, I didn't know about selecting the right component before creating something new. So I don't know if it was putting them where I expected or not. But, the program was most certainly doing it wrong multiple times. I had to create a blank component and copy things into it for them to be under my 'strut example' component. 

I'll look up information on motion study. For now I'd be happy just moving them manually, but the motion study is probably what I really need. Thanks!

[jackie_meyer]

Ah, thanks. I didn't realize I still had that as a body and not a component. That's the challenge of figuring things out as I go along. 

[jackie_meyer]

So I wouldn't be able to have all of the components as a sub-component of 'strut example'? This is going to be a massive project so I wanted to keep it cleaner by having a component and then sub-component. Or, perhaps it is better to have each assembly separate and pull them together into a master file? I truly don't know, and the people who started this project haven't created any components yet so it's a tad confusing to me. 

Also, is it okay if I delete this thread after? I realized I shouldn't have the full file on the public forum. 

[davebYYPCU]

You can’t delete the thread, but you should be able to edit the post and remove the file.

Not sure if all those Move Commands are yours or imposed by the previous author, 

moving a body away from the sketch is always confusing.

Check out Rule #1, to avoid that.

Drive the first Joint, and Capture the Position.

Drive the second Joint and capture that position.

You can step forward and back in the timeline to save doing it many times.

Blue sketch articles should keep you awake for a while yet.

Might help…..

[TheCADWhisperer]

---

@jackie_meyer wrote:

I realized I shouldn't have the full file on the public forum. 

---

@jackie_meyer 

Click on Report and request that the moderator remove all files from all Replies as well as your original post.

[TrippyLighting]

---

@jackie_meyer wrote:

... This is going to be a massive project s...

---

IMHO you should hold off on a "massive project" until you have a better understanding of how Fusion works. Otherwise it is going to result in massive frustration.