Non Uniform/Manipulate Face/Edges Scale and Move?

[jimmy.laww]

I'd like to scale/manipulate the highlighted face of a solid box to create the object in the attached image, but I can't seem to work out how this is done? I've also exported the scene file. I thought I'd just be able to select the face and scale/move it to get the desired effect. However selecting 'move' only moves the face along one (Z) axis, the other axis' don't work? Am I approaching this wrong? Another way would be to select an 'Edge' and move that but that results in moving the entire object.

If anyone knows how to best create this object I'd really appreciate some pointers. Also I'd really like to know why my solutions don't work? Why can't I select a face and move it in any direction?

[jhackney1972]

It is not real clear what you end goal is and your screen capture does not match your model.  I will take a guess you want the Offset Face command.

[laughingcreek]

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@jimmy.laww wrote:

...I thought I'd just be able to select the face and scale/move it to get the desired effect. However selecting 'move' only moves the face along one (Z) axis, the other axis' don't work? Am I approaching this wrong? ...

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Yes, you are approaching it wrong (for fusion).  You are trying to use a workflow that would work for a polygon modeler.  cad programs like fusion (mostly) work entirely differently, so you will have to adjust your mindset a bit.

attached is one (of many possible) approaches-

[jimmy.laww]

Thanks for the replies guys.

@jhackney1972Thanks for the screencast (I love the forum function to allow them and you taking your time to do them) Laughcreek has what I mean't though. Being able to extrude out and scale.

@laughingcreekThanks for this. That's kinda what I want but it seems very restrictive. The extrude command only gives you the option to alter the Taper Angle and even then, only uniformly? So for instance, say I wanted to achieve the object in the image below. (Seen from the side) Basically a non uniform extrude. How would this be achieved? Would I be looking at subtracting the material via a Split Body?

You're absolutely right regarding my approach, btw. I'm in poly mode and I feel all at sea with CAD and the way it demands modelling. It's a pity there isn't a polygon modellers guide to CAD! I get the feeling it's very much about addition and subtraction of 3d forms? And that any mildly complex geometry has to be done with surface modelling?

[laughingcreek]

the family of polygon modelers and the family of cad modelers (brep/nurbs ether direct or parametric) evolved from different needs, and explains much of the differences in how they are structured.  I'm sure your aware, so I won't bore you with the history.

attached is an example containing 2 approaches to achieve the shape you posted.  I out them in seperate components to make it easy to differentiate, and b/c that's good practice. (I employ the second approach most often, just my personal preference)

for making exact changes (which is what you need if your making a mechanical part), this model is easy to adjust by just editing the dims.  may be a few extra steps involved if you want to scale the face and nail a specific size and position.

[wersy]

One option would be to create the face with loft. Instead of moving a face, simply move and scale the sketch of the rectangle.

[TrippyLighting]

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@jimmy.laww wrote:

You're absolutely right regarding my approach, btw. I'm in poly mode and I feel all at sea with CAD and the way it demands modelling. It's a pity there isn't a polygon modellers guide to CAD! I get the feeling it's very much about addition and subtraction of 3d forms? And that any mildly complex geometry has to be done with surface modelling?

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That guide is: Forget most of what you thought you knew about 3D modeling 😉

Learning surface modeling is generally a good idea!

You can model with T-Splines very similar to Sub-D modeling, but if you have enough experience with a mature Sub-D modeler than you'll find the tools very restrictive and clunky.  

In Fusion 360 you can combine all three. Combining T-Splines with Surface and BRep (solid) modeling can also be done but there are a number for trapdoors.