Switching between workspaces / modes

[Anonymous]

I'm having trouble understanding how to switch between workspaces - or is it called edit modes?

Should the workspace button on the left allow me to switch between workspace modes?

I've seen in videos that it has three different modes but if i click it it only shows the current workspace mode. I would love to use the patch environment - or mode - or workspace.. or is it called paper? I've finding the terminology and operation confusing.

Thanks!

[innovatenate · Accepted solution]

Welcome to the Fusion 360 forum!

Have you seen this video? I think it may help.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJU4avXux2s

You can get to Patch work space by first creating a BaseFeature. Take a look at the video and let me know if it helps clarify how the Timeline works in Fusion 360.

Thanks,

[Anonymous]

I've been working with a timeline paradigm for about 15 years with IronCAD so perhaps my expectations are getting in the way. Wouldn't it make more sense to have the three distinct modle types and have the appropriate workspace simply appear for the part you wish to edit or create? Why does a patch part need to be a BaseFeature?

Also can you disable and reinable the timeline or is this a programatic error? See attached - No timeline and all three workspaces as options. - You can't blame me for being confused!

[Oceanconcepts · Accepted solution]

You can enable and disable the timeline. There are two basic modes in Fusion- Direct Modeling, where no history is captured, and parametric, history capturing mode. In Direct Modeling, reached by right clicking on the root component and selecting "Do Not Capture Design History", all three workspaces are visible. Lots of us find working in a Direct environment provides a considerable freedom, and more tools are available. Parametrics in Fusion is fairly new, improving quickly, but still does not provide access to all creation modes. That's where the Base Feature gets introduced, as a way of incorporating these tools into a history workflow where they are not yet fully integrated. That's my understanding, anyway.

[Anonymous]

Thanks to both for your help! I've just noticed there is also a little gear in the right of the timeline that allows one to turn it off.