Sketch dimension not working
Thanks.
Jeff Strater (Fusion development)
Jeff Strater
Engineering Director
It would be great if you would create a screencast. Then we can possibly tell you what in your particular situation creates that message.
Within a sketch, you can dimension from projections of faces and edges to a sketch object, using the Project command to create the projected geometry in the sketch
Jeff
Jeff Strater
Engineering Director
Perhaps explain what you are trying to do. A littel narrated screencast with the built in tool in Fusion 360 would greatly help us understand what tou are trying to achieve.
Have you watched the Fusion 360 tutorials ?
Here a littel background on my CAD history. The first CAD program (about 25 years ago) I ever used was a Hewlet Packard system in the University. Then in my first engineering job it was back to the drawing board (shock) and after two years I started with Catia. All of that in 2D.
Tehn I used (around 1996) that I used a version on AutoCAD LT and simple 3D to generate plant layouts. The first full 3D system I worked with was Solid Works 1998 and I dropped 2D AutoCAD like a hot potatoe. I dont use SW in my current job but privately own a license and use Geomagic Design. I know enough of Solid Edge and ProE to assess abilities.
Professionally I used to design/develop custom automated manufacturing equipment. Privately I develop and build LED lighting systems and intend to turn that into a business.
I've also used Sketchup to generate models for photorealistic rendering, but have have not worked with it for at least 3 years. My main tool for that is Blender and Indigo Renderer.
No, I don't know any other software than Sketchup where that can be done. Once your geometry gets more complex that looses its appeal pretty quickly.
Having thought about it I still don't know what exactly you mean with dimensioning as it can mean differnt things.
Do you want to create or change 3D geometry by entering a dimension and then have the gwometry follow the entered value ?
Or do you want to place dimensions on a finished part to communicate dimensions of the part so it can be manufactured ?
There are two different ways to create geometry in Fusion 360. Direct Modeling (DM) or parametric design. In direct modeling you use push-pull and other tools to modify your body. In Parametric design you use dimensions on Sketches and irtems in the timeline to modify your geometry.
For communicating designs for manufacturing the standard is still a 2D drawing. That section of Fusin 360 is still very limited but they are working on improvements.
You have referenced Sketchup. A screencast of what you are doing in Sketchup that you cannot achieve in Fusion 360 may be helpful and would be a good example for "good communication" 😉
- You're not in the Sketchup forum. Sketchup is not an Autodesk product.
- You can measure "things" with the "Inspect->Measure" tool.
- You can also unhide the sketch that was used to create 3D geometry and then right-click on the sketch in the browser and select "Show dimension". Assuming that you dimensioned the sketch properly this not only allows you go gage the size of you objects but also directly modify existing dimensions without having to edit the sketch.
I think it might help if you showed some screenshots of what you are trying to do or where you are struggling. The size of a design should be very easy to get correct. If you haven't done so, it may help to start by going through the learning tutorials.
Fusion 360 is an advanced, but flexible tool. There are top-down design methodologies you can utilize to make sure that your components fit together in a trivial fashion with very high precision. You may want to check out this free class from the Autodesk University website which talks more about Bottom-up vs. Top-down design methodologies
http://au.autodesk.com/au-online/classes-on-demand/class-catalog/2015/fusion-360/cp9991#chapter=0
One thing to note is that the parameters dialog box will give you access to all parameters in a model. Parameters includes things like sketch dimensions and extrude distances, etc... If you are using the time-dependent, parametric modeling capability to build a design from the ground, you can control all the parameters for a design from the Parameter dialog box (see the Modify drop down menu for access). This can enable you to quickly access and modify any given parameter in a design.
Let's take a look at your example:
@Anonymous wrote:
An example is circle that I then extrude , if I try to edit feature it only edits the extrusion and shows no info on circle diameter so i am usually guessing as to which circle I am working on as I have multiple cylinders inside other cylinders . I am basically designing cylinders by eyesight and guesswork because I can not measure their dia , distance between cylinder walls , thickness of individual cylinder walls , etc..
The Measure tool from the Inspect drop down menu enables the measurement of just about any geometry you desire. The Measure tool is capable of providing the measurement information for all of the items you listed above. If you are having trouble with one, perhaps you could record an Autodesk Screencast of where the tool is failing you?
I strongly suspect the thing that will help you the most is to start creating "base" sketches to help drive your 3D features. Once a sketch has been created, you can go back and make edits to the sketch dimension to update the model if you are using the parametric modeling capabilities. Take a look at the below screencast that highlights using a sketch and user parameters to make a quickly configurable and editable model using the Parametric Mode. I note that you can show and edit the dimensions of the sketch or just quickly glance at the parameters dialog to update a model to a desired size.
Nathan Chandler
Principal Specialist