Problem defining a Midplane

[lemelman]

I'm attempting to create a 10mm rod between the two holes shown in the first screenshot, so I want to define a workplane midway between the two faces of the square column.

The second screenshot shows the problem I get after selecting the 1st face and trying to define the 2nd one to create the Midplane.

I've tried several ways, but always get this meaningless (to me) message that I have no idea how to fix.

I suspect I've made so many errors and backtracked too many times and messed-up some basic settings. I'm tempted to start the whole drawing from the beginning.

This is my 1st drawing and I'm beginning to lose confidence.

[Anonymous]

No pictures attached buddy! 

Would like to help but can't see what the problem is. 

DON'T lose confidence! 

[lemelman]

Oh dear, now I really feel stupid - a real senior moment.

Sorry about that - here are the pictures.

By the way; other posts I've seen show pictures in-line. How can I do that?

[Anonymous]

So the second picture is where you want to insert your plane. 

Do you then want to draw a circle and then equal press pull to the ends? 

I ask as you may be better off to loft between the top Id and the bottom Id of the two holes you want to insert your rod into. 

I say that because one hole is set off at a angle from the other. 

I think that's why your mid plane attempt fails too. There is no parcel face to work from. 

Other with much mor experience than I will chime in. 

To those I would listen more. But try a loft. Loft is in sculpt space I think it is. 

Also dont worry about the senior moments. 

Personaly im getting older by the second! 

Oh oh one last thing. 

Dont forget to start your rod as a new componant. And name it. 

[lemelman]

Yes, I intended that both holes straddled the Midplane of the square column. Based on that assumption, I then intended to draw a line between the two centres and then extrude a circle along it (leastways, that's how I would do it in my old CAD program). As an aside, I've not yet managed to find the extrusion tool.

[Anonymous]

@lemelman

I think this is where fusion namaculture plays a part. 

press/pull is very much like extrude. 

Indeed that would be the tool I would use if i were going to use a mid plane sketch as you suggested. 

I think in this case you should try a loft. Below is where you can fnd it. I hope this helps. If not pm me your email. I will send you mine then you can copy me into the progect and I will have a go for you. Any way good luck and let us know how you get on! 

[michallach81]

Guys I'm reading your discussion and it seems you're both missing the point.  @lemelman only reason that you get warning is that you have hidden Construction folder in Browser, unhide (lightbulb icon) that folder and construction plane will appear. Problem is that workplane in the middle is not much help in drawing that rod. Much better would be if you would create "side" plane that cross both holes in the middle. On that "side" plane you can draw line from one to another hole, and after that use pipe command to create rod.

All those are good tips if your holes are in line or at least hole axis are planar... if not, the you need some "support" geometry just to create sketch line. Go in to Patch environment and use Patch command on holes edge, that will create simple surface. Now you can draw 3d line from one surface center to another:

Michał

[Anonymous]

There you go @lemelman

I said someone far more experienced than I would chip in. 

[lemelman]

I didn't know there was a Construction folder - why did it not appear in the list?

Aha! I've just noticed the slider on the extreme left of the window; when I moved it down I found the Construction foldeer at the bottom.

Thank you - I would never have looked without your comment. I've now found the Midplane - but why was it turned off in the first place?

[michallach81]

Most probable by accident.

[lemelman]

Michal,

I've tried following your video, but it goes too fast for me to see what is actually done - and I can't read the names on the tools you use.

What is a Side pane? how do I create it? Sorry to be such a bore, but this is all so new

[michallach81]

If you would attach your model (.f3d) I would show how to, on that specific file, ok?

[lemelman]

Hi Michal,

I'm having trouble understanding your video. It goes so quickly that I can't see what tools you're using. What is a Side pane, and how do I create one? I've tried searching the "help" but found nothing.

[michallach81]

I will help you, but I need your model, post your file, at least with parst between you would like to create a rod.

[lemelman]

Hi Michal,

Here it is...

[michallach81 · Accepted solution]

Ok.

First, you already have a plane that I called "side" plane. On screencast below you can see how I use that plane to create sketch on that plane. On that sketch I use Intersection tool to know where our holes are placed, then I draw line... and that's basically all. Of course we can draw directly in 3d but we need center points to snap. Because hole is a funny geometry that "exist only because it not exist"... yeah... so we need to create something that will create snap point in hole center. On my first attempt I create sketch on one of faces with hole... and that's enough to create point that will snap to... it's not visible but that how sketches in Fusion works, creating sketch on face, will automatically project that face on that sketch. After taht I create sketch on second face, center piont is hidden but created automaticlly, that I start skeching line from that point to previous one. In second attempt for same reason as above I create two surfaces, create sketch on any random plane, and sketch line from one surface center to another surface center.

Watch:

[lemelman]

Thanks Michal,

I haven't got it working yet, but I think I can see what needs to be done. I'm not yet sufficiently "into" the program to follow all your steps, but I'll continue trying.

I'll report back with any progress - I'm a bit compromised at the moment 'cos my wife has suddenly taken ill. Apparently not serious, but it leaves me with very little free time.

Gary

[lemelman]

Hi Michal,

Many thanks for your attention. Thanks to your video I got it working and managed to create my 10mm rod OK. I used your example of the sectional analysis tool and it worked fine but I can't find a way of switching the sectional analysis off.

What's the secret please?

[michallach81 · Accepted solution]

In browser there is foldel analysis:

Michał

[lemelman]

Thank you!!! 

I'm getting there - but only because of people like you on this forum. Without the forum I'd be lost.