Multiple animations

[pixelsandcode]

Hi,

I have attached a file which illustrates my problem.  I've been looking at this now for a few hours trying to understand what is causing it.  So basically I have a design that I am modelling up (not my design, just for training).  Now I have 2 sets of animation running currently.

1.  Lifts a column up and down,

2.  Pivots a shape in conjunction with a hinge.

Now independently they kind of work well for me, however, when I try and animate no.1 it leaves the bracket behind.  Now I thought this was because I had grounded part of my hinge, but turns out I had made a mistake with one of my joins.

So I have fixed that issue, and if I unground part of the hinge I can perform animation 1.  But animation 2 doesn't work, so if I then ground it, animation 2 works, but animation 1 doesn't move.  I have attached a 2nd file to demonstrate.

So my question is quite simple, how can I change this to allow me to have both animations working.

Actually, I just double checked and both animations do now work in the 2nd file - however the animation 2 actually activates animation 1 too and it feels a bit unnatural.  So I actually removed the 1st file.

[TrippyLighting]

Before continuing I'd fully constrain and dimension all sketches.

Then I'd eliminate all position capture features, as they should not be used in a design like this to position componets.

Then, maybe consider thinking about animation!

[pixelsandcode]

Righto.

[TrippyLighting]

Before continuing I'd fully constrain and dimension all sketches.

Then I'd eliminate all position capture features, as they should not be used in a design like this to position componets.

Then, maybe consider thinking about animation!

[pixelsandcode]

Ok I've decided to follow the tutorial from the Fusion 360 Help site about Dimensions and Constraints.  I admit I have been running before I walked but I don't think I've done too bad, this is just a hobby for me and what went from testing the water ended up with me doing something like this.

Also I always learn better by realising mistakes, and creating a better version the next time - rather than spending lots of time reading about basics.  However, I genuinely do see your point and thanks for directing me towards that.

Now with the position captures, why would they not be good for a design like this?  I'm presuming its because it restricts movement with a model with many moving parts?

Anyway I removed all those features, and I thought I would separate everything out again, add my dimensions and then add new joints.  However whenever I go to do an assemble the alert pops up asking me to capture, if I just say continue everything pops together in a random way.  I have thought about starting it again from scratch, which I don't mind because I enjoy the learning - but if I can just separate all the parts I've sketched (complete with dimensions and constraints) than that would be better.

[etfrench]

Each and every move or align needs to be calculated every time a compute is done.  This can dramatically slow Fusion 360 down.  Moves and aligns are also not parametric so later changes in the model won't update the position.  Joints are parametric and will update with changes in the model.

[pixelsandcode]

Well that makes sense.  I decided to start afresh with this one, do all the sketches correctly, out of 20 I have 18 which are fully constrained, and all have dimensions.  2 of those I'm not entirely sure why they are not showing up as fully constrained, but that is my next problem to solve - and only then will I move into the assembly phase of the design.

I have honestly really enjoyed setting up these initial sketches this morning, and I can most certainly see the benefits of doing so.  

So thanks everyone for pointing me in the right direction as far as my process goes.  I really appreciate it.