Projecting Sketch geometry from a future sketch back into a past sketch

[InnovativeIdeas]

Hi, Is there any way to project a sketch feature that I have created in a later timeline back into a past sketch in the timeline .   Its easy to project parts of sketchs forward in time , but sometimes I need to project in items created later in the timeline , into a sketch created earlier in the time line and I cant see a way to do that .  Its not possible to move the later sketch before the earlier sketch in the time line as this cause all sorts of issues .  This usually happens with my initial base sketch that was created almost at the start of the timeline and I find nI need to project back a feature Ive developed later in the timeline.

Once I select edit sketch , everything ahead of that timeline position disappears 

[TheCADWhisperer]

If you use the BORN Technique, then you might be able to simply drag your sketch in time.

File>Export and then Attach your *.f3d file here for demonstration.

[davebYYPCU]

Can you add more detail? You can’t use Project, but there are ways to accomplish that, but not knowing why you have a recent article, being required in an initial sketch, makes it a guessing game.

what benefit would you receive in the old sketch?

[hpekristiansen]

The issues you are getting when trying to move your sketches around in the timeline is the same issues that prevent you from projecting back in time: circular references.

The solution is simple. Do not worry about the original sketch too much - leave it as it is. Think of what you are trying to accomplice next, and if you need something from the original sketch and something projected then:

Created a completely new sketch and project only what you need from the original sketch and elsewhere to accomplice your next task.

[chrisplyler]

Or...

Instead of doing something in a later sketch, and then wishing you could Project it into an earlier sketch...

Do the something in the earlier sketch to begin with, and Project it into the later sketch if you need it there also.

[etfrench]

Or, if you really  want to project something to an earlier sketch (#1):

1. Create a new sketch (#2) after the item to be projected.
2. Project the item.
3. Break the link between the item and the projected geometry.
4. Close the sketch.
5. Move the sketch to the beginning of the Timeline.
6. Edit sketch #1.
7. Project the geometry from sketch #2 to sketch #1.

p.s. I wouldn't recommend doing this 😀 Breaking the link will also break the parametric nature of the model.

[InnovativeIdeas]

Thanks Guys , The solution to projecting the earlier sketch isnt really a solution as I already have 3D models parametrised into the original sketch , so Id have to rebuild the 3D model from the new sketch which is a huge re-work 

The particular reason I want to project back in time , is I have a clearance dimension from a newer ( in time ) component , that I want to project back into the first component , the one that was first created ( in time ).

Instead of doing something in a later sketch, and then wishing you could Project it into an earlier sketch...

Do the something in the earlier sketch to begin with, and Project it into the later sketch if you need it there also.

😀As to me being able to predict at the start all the things I need in a sketch ,  well unfortunately while I try to emulate God , I dont seem to quite have all His/het/it/Them attributes such as future sight etc . IN this case the clearance dimension only reveals itself because of the later component design

The simple solution would be that Fusion simply retains visibility of future objects at all times , allowing you to project back feature from future sketches .  This  does  not create circular references in itself . In my view the " timeline " is not really a Timeline , its more a sequence control system.  It shouldn't really be about " time " 

[davebYYPCU]

So if you don’t call it a Timeline, how would you organise the Parametric feature tree?

What benefit do you receive putting the information in the first sketch?

[TheCADWhisperer]

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@InnovativeIdeas wrote:

.... The solution to projecting the earlier sketch isn't really a solution as I already have 3D models parameterised into the original sketch , so Id have to rebuild the 3D model from the new sketch which is a huge re-work 

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Doesn't make any sense to me.

Attach your *.f3d file here and end all doubt.

[chrisplyler]

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@InnovativeIdeas wrote:
😀As to me being able to predict at the start all the things I need in a sketch ,  well unfortunately while I try to emulate God , I dont seem to quite have all His/het/it/Them attributes such as future sight etc . IN this case the clearance dimension only reveals itself because of the later component design.

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So what? Now that you DO know it, edit the original sketch and put something in there that allows for it.

[laughingcreek]

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@InnovativeIdeas wrote:

...The simple solution would be that Fusion simply retains visibility of future objects at all times , allowing you to project back feature from future sketches .  This  does  not create circular references in itself ... 

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I did a spit take with my morning coffee when I read this.  Thanks for that, nice to start the day with a good chuckle. 

[hpekristiansen]

In a way this could actually work although it would be stupid. Imagine that all future sketches(,bodies, ...) was visible and drawn with a special color(say army pink), and the only single thing you could do was a special projection that just created a normal line as drawn with the line tool(or arc, ...) the exact same place. Nothing would break.

[etfrench]

Set the dimension to a User Parameter which can be changed at any time.

If a sketch is fully constrained you should be able to manipulate the position of any geometry with existing dimensions and constraints. 

If the clearance is between components, then a joint can be used.

If it's between bodies, then make the bodies components and use a joint.

[laughingcreek]

You can do that by using a base feature.  create the sketch inside of the base feature, then move the feature to where ever you need it in the timeline.

or just turn off the time line and model in DM mode all the way.

either way, you end up with a "dumb" sketch that doesn't update with model changes, which isn't particularly useful most times.

[TrippyLighting]

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@InnovativeIdeas wrote:

The simple solution would be that Fusion simply retains visibility of future objects at all times , allowing you to project back feature from future sketches .  

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LOL!

I've not seen a single model, screenshot, or screencast in this thread, which would provide us with the opportunity to show you alternate workflows. 

[chrisplyler]

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@hpekristiansen wrote:

In a way this could actually work although it would be stupid. Imagine that all future sketches(,bodies, ...) was visible and drawn with a special color(say army pink), and the only single thing you could do was a special projection that just created a normal line as drawn with the line tool(or arc, ...) the exact same place. Nothing would break.

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Seriously man... go back and put the line into the first sketch manually. Then edit the second sketch, delete the line in there, and project it in from the first sketch. This IS a simple solution.

[hpekristiansen]

Seriously man - I do not want this functionality - I even write it is stupid - stop bugging me.

[TheCADWhisperer]

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@hpekristiansen wrote:

.... drawn with a special color(say army pink), ... Nothing would break.

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Pink sketch geometry is used to indicate "sick" geometry.

[TheCADWhisperer]

@InnovativeIdeas 

Q1. Do you really have any interest in learning best techniques for using Fusion 360?

[TheCADWhisperer]

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@InnovativeIdeas wrote:

...so Id have to rebuild the 3D model from the new sketch which is a huge re-work 

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You don't have to rebuild/re-work anything.

File>Export and then Attach your *.f3d file here and someone here will do it for you.