Sketch offset - should it be this much work?

[Noah_Katz]

I'm working on my first real part in earnest, meaning I've created/imported other parts and am designing a support plate for them.

To allow clearance for mounting I need to offset 8 sets of curves by .050 in.

1st issue is that apparently I can only offset contiguous sets of curves; holding ctl or shft doesn't allow me to select any others.

2nd issue is that accepting the entered value exits the command and I have to select it again.

3rd issue is that the value entry box always defaults to the same value (.039 in.), so I have to enter .050 7 more times.

Is there something I don't know that would streamline this?

[wilkhui · Accepted solution]

Hi Noah - I'll reply to your questions as separate responses.

For number 1: apparently I can only offset contiguous sets of curves; holding ctl or shft doesn't allow me to select any others.

Fusion will only allow you to select and offset a set of edges joined at their ends because it is well-defined to say which side you're offsetting towards. Consider the examples below;

A - both curves are connected at their ends and it is well-defined to offset them both because you will either get an offset which is below and left or above and to the right.

B - both curves are connected but not at their ends...which way should the offset go if you want to be below the flat line? Which way should the offset go if you want to be above the flat line? The expected result in these instances is not well-defined so you'll only be allowed to offset one of these edges at a time.

C - curves are not connected...the same applies with B, the expected result is not well-defined.

Hope this helps!

Indy

[wilkhui · Accepted solution]

For number 2: accepting the entered value exits the command and I have to select it again.

Try using the keyboard shortcut to quickly call back the offset command, which is the 'o' key.

Here's a list of keyboard shortcuts I found on Cadline's website (I don't know if that list is complete, hopefully someone else can verify that) - Fusion 360 - Keyboard Shortcuts

[wilkhui · Accepted solution]

For number 3: the value entry box always defaults to the same value (.039 in.), so I have to enter .050 7 more times.

Try adding a custom parameter that you can refer to quickly, that way you can go back and change one parameter in the table to quickly change all the features which use that parameter. Hopefully my screencast below will help to show how to set one up:

As always, feel free to shout out if anything is unclear or respond with any further questions, hope the above helps!

Indy

[HughesTooling · Accepted solution]

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@wilkhui wrote:

For number 2: accepting the entered value exits the command and I have to select it again.

Try using the keyboard shortcut to quickly call back the offset command, which is the 'o' key.

Here's a list of keyboard shortcuts I found on Cadline's website (I don't know if that list is complete, hopefully someone else can verify that) - Fusion 360 - Keyboard Shortcuts

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Another option if you want to repeat the offset command is enter your offset amount for the current offset, don't press enter, just right click and select Repeat Offset.

[Noah_Katz]

Indy,

1. All of the sets of curves were like A.

The curves were all part of a clearance cutout, but weren't connected because some of the projected lines were from edges shorter than the cutout.

Afterwards I realized it would have been much easier if I had simply clicked on all the edges necessary to complete the cutout, and then one selection in Offset would have selected them all.

2. Thanks, I forgot about the kb shortcut

3. That works, and is probably good practice anyway.

And I can just copy/paste for additional entries.

Thanks!

[Noah_Katz]

Excellent, thanks, Mark!