structuring components

[spiesspurchaser]

On free trial, crashing in with an existing Autocad 3D model so missed the first steps introduction. I understand that I can Create a new Component and the select and move other Components into this new component. Except it is not working for me. I must have miss applied or understood the instructions. Can anyone spot what Im getting wrong?

[TrippyLighting]

That design consists almost exclusively of linked (external) components. You cannot restructure this by trying to drag/drop linked components into others.

You can, for example,  create a new component and drag the existing linked components into that.

[spiesspurchaser]

thanks for that heads up. Working with Fusion is going to be challenging. Started over as I added a new collection component I then inserted the external links for it. So far so good. Except I then realised I had missed out a component. Saved, shut down, came back in, selected the last collection component, uploaded the missing bit but it came in only at parent level not the highlighted collection component.
I also used the Break Link but still nothing work. Do I have to start all over again. Surely there must be options?

Break Link. Does that then saved this imported element into the Fusion Project, or must that link always be there when working with the project?

[TrippyLighting]

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@spiesspurchaser wrote:

... Working with Fusion is going to be challenging...

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I think some of the challenges can be addressed quickly. If you can share the model and explain in detail what you want to do, that would speed up the process of getting help 😉  

[spiesspurchaser]

long desire to create photorealistic walkthro. Modelled a house in legacy ~Autocad using solids /3D faces. Guided to Fusion as my way to achieve goal. I have Fusion on trial to check it can actually achieve my goal
Uploaded my .dwg design in a organised way - floor levels, all the various elements but then hitting snags. Cant move 'components' around.

link: https://a360.co/4dmxWjm
Am I correct that in the Browser select the upload element, RtClk to Break Link and include subcomponents then they will all become part of my project?

My immediate objectives is to apply materials to my components, change colour/material of faces on the solids.
Then look at animation and see how I could form cameras, follow a path (autocad 3Dpolylines) or create a 3D path.

If I can see my way to do this then I can subscribe and spend my time on lighting, rendering, importing/making Fusion furniture then sit back and watch!

[TrippyLighting · Accepted solution]

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@spiesspurchaser wrote:

... form cameras, follow a path (autocad 3Dpolylines) or create a 3D path...For a variety of reasons I have not worked wit teh animaYou cannot do that in Fusion. You have one camera and I don't think it can follow a prescribed path.

I would recommend reading through the documentation for Animation to see what can be achieved.

Linked components are part of your project, just as XREFs can be part of an AutoCAD design. To change an XREF, you have to open it and edit it separately from the main design file. Once saved, when you go back to the main design, you'll be notified that a component has changed, and the design needs to be updated.

[laughingcreek]

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@spiesspurchaser wrote:

long desire to create photorealistic walkthro. ...

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I don't think you going to get what you're looking for from fusion.  the render environment is extremely easy to use, along with the draw backs that usually come with "easy".  it's decent, but not fantastic.  And you can't do a rendered walk thru.  the animation workspace is mostly used for creating exploded views of assemblies.

[spiesspurchaser]

thanks, so I can set materials/colours to my components in Fusion. Then maybe davinci resolve working on my Fusion porject to do the animation. Does anyone have any experience/knowledge?

[TrippyLighting · Accepted solution]

DaVinci Resolve is a video editing software. It doesn't do 3D key-frame or 3D path animation. You'd do that in Blender, for example, or 3DS Max, or Maya if you want to stay with Autodesk software. 

You'd have to export your CAD model into a mesh model format ( .fbx, or .obj) and then assign materials in the Animation software.

[spiesspurchaser]

so Autodesk suggestion to use Fusion was a total blind avenue. It was interesting to explore and see what it IS capable of, but cannot achieve that which I came for. Thanks Forum for all your help, Im off to 3DsMax which already has familiar feeling actions and clearly offers all that I need. Now have to start again with a new learning curve.

IF ONLY Autodesk offered one2one talk for its frustrated users looking for solutions!