Hi
I too at first thought I needed a Fusion 360 Manual. But have since reviewed my need for one. I believe fusion 360 is very intuitive to say the least. I has a minimalist design which I applaud. Over time developers tend to add more and more functions to the point where the product suffers "bloat" whether it be more icons and more clutter on the screen. Fusion 360 developers have I believe got the balance right. We then have to ask ourselves, why do we want a PDF copy of a manual:
1. is it to learn how to use the program itself or
2. is it because we lack general drafting skills when using the program and/or
3. could something else suffice us?
We must understand the drafting workflow principles when using a software program such as F360 or any other drafting program for that matter.. We shouldn't need to learn Fusion 360 as a program. By example we should be able to use any word processing software whether it be MS Word or any of the other word processing programs because we have come to know all word process software have certain features we all have come to know and expect. Where those features are, can be another thing, but it doesn't take long to work it out. By the same token the same applies to drafting programs that use the principles of parametric 3D object creation.
What I suggest is we as members can create/share sets of (for want of a better name) "cheat sheets", that can be either laminated or bound and located close to your workstation for either reference or general viewing/reading. I have attached 4 pages that hopefully flesh out some of the menus in F360. Would this prove helpful to Forum members? If so I am quite prepared to put a lot more time and effort into doing so. Please find attached the four sheets as an idea/sample.
The excellent videos and webinars are an excellent resource for those people wanting to gain various insights into F360 as a software program. My cheat sheet idea is for those that already have the required drawing/drafting skills. Its one thing to sketch up with great accuracy a sophisticated assembly containing may parts but its another thing to create a set of drawings containing acceptable symbols, dimension features etc that any person with the right mix of technical skills can, make/manufacture/fabricate (using various machines and tools),assemble or repair using drawings and simulations from this program. Actually F360 allows screen prototyping to a level that was once only reserved for the design engineer. I am currently converting a classical guitar to a resonator guitar. It has been done a hundred times but the comment always arises "can the neck withstand the stresses of the new design" and a different tuning using steel strings. F360 will allow me to test some of my ideas well before I start cutting up and modifying the guitar. In 4 hours without touching F360 before, I have drawn the guitar with all its parts and am now ready to try on screen/F360 various neck strengthening ideas. interestingly enough creating my cheat sheets helped me understand more the ins and outs and to understand better the overall workflow process of F360.
So the upshot of my input is, manuals have had there days. Maybe for "older" folk they still need the comfort of a manual - with the advent of YouTube etc and forums like this do we honestly need a manual - I think a lot of people are confusing wanting to learn F360 as a program without having/gaining the necessary other essential skills that is so needful. Having an idea/concept and translating that into a model that fits together requires quite a lot of skill sets. F360 is just another tool to use in the whole design to manufacture process.
This may be the wrong place to place this reply re the PDF thread - I have previewed the links above and do recommend them to those with the time and inclination to want to watch, listen and learn.
Please tell me is the use of cheat sheets worth pursuing?
Thanks again to all those members who are sharing ideas and resources.
