Use Driven Dimension as a Parameter?

[Anonymous]

Hello all,

I am wondering if there is some way to do this, to use a driven dimension as a parameter. As it is, driven dimensions do not appear in the parameters menu.

if you hover over a driven dimension, it gives you the dimension number (i.e. d22, d46, etc) but you can't use it in the parameters menu.

Here is what I am trying to do:

We make custom cases/shipping crates. I want to put in the L, W, H of a part, say 3 x 4 x 5, define thickness packing material, define part spacing, and use the resultant size to make the case.

Usually, I'd just say (in the parameters menu)something like the folowing:

CaseW = (PartL+(Packing*2)) to define the case width if there is only one part.

But in most of our cases there are several parts (most the same size, and some very different). So the math looks more like:

((Part1L+Part2L+Part3L)+((NumOfParts-1)*Spacing)+(Packing*2)) for individual parts

(((PartL*PartQty)+((NumofParts-1)*SpacingBetween)+(Packing*2)) for patterned parts

which is driving me crazy.

What I did was this: I made a sketch with L+W, using rectangular pattern. Then, I used a rectangle around and defined the rectangle as always being 2" larger than the pattern (I will attach a simple representation of what I am talking about). This way I can change the pattern quantity and the parts sizing and it should be able to quickly define the length and width of the case.

BUT - when trying to use the driven dimensions (like to define (CaseW=d22) when d22 is a driven dimension), the parameter window simply won't accept it.

I think I understand why this is - because if I were to try and change this driven dimenison in the parameter window, I wouldn't (and shouldn't) be able to. But that also means I can't use it - ever? That seems a little strange.

In the attached file, try to use d22 and d23 (the driven dimensions) to create a parameter - you'll find you can't. it gives an error - "Invalid string" - as if d22 and d23 aren't defined.

Does anyone have any ideas? Or do I keep using my (long) equations to define my cases?

Thanks!

[mrares]

@jeff_strater 

I just hit this snag today and though "surely this should be possible somehow"... Then I read through this 6 year old report?! I can only imagine you are equally frustrated as your users, as something that's obviously extremely useful couldn't have been prioritized, designed and implemented in 6 years.

Please take a moment to reflect on the fact that during these 6 years Fusion 360 has grown a lot in terms of userbase, and also functionality, but it was not without controversy. The makers everywhere are limited in terms of editable documents (WinRAR tribute there?) while paying customers can't use driven dimensions in between sketches. How is the Fusion 360 team successful? How is it fostering creativity and innovation? How is it placing itself at the heart of making, of small scale prototyping, of open source hardware innovation?!

I am a staff engineer in software somewhere, if I printed the above and put it on my boss's desk, our world would stop instantly to deal with it.

[TrippyLighting]

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@mrares wrote:

How is the Fusion 360 team successful? How is it fostering creativity and innovation? How is it placing itself at the heart of making, of small scale prototyping, of open source hardware innovation?!

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You can answer that question yourself by doing a little bit of research.

Autodesk is a publicly traded company and is obliged to report results publicly.
If you go through the quarterly results you'll find that between Q3 of FY2021 and Q3 of FY 2023  paid subscriptions grew from 120,000 to 211,000! A good bit of that appears to have come from Extensions that cost additional money.

Autodesk is a for-profit organization and I'd say the Fusion 360 Team is doing exactly what they've been asked to do and that pays dividends. Literally! 

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@mrares wrote:

I am a staff engineer in software somewhere, if I printed the above and put it on my boss's desk, our world would stop instantly to deal with it.

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You may want to reconsider that 😉

[asherFTSTR]

It's truly shameful that such a basic elementary feature is treated as an obscure request. 

[Careless_]

Seems like this has been addressed in the latest update as of this post.

On the F360 October 2023 blog post, there is this section here:

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https://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/blog/october-2023-product-update-whats-new/

Reference Driven Dimension Outside the Current Sketch 

With this new enhancement to Refer Driven Dimension, you will be able to reference a driven dimension outside the Sketch in which it is defined. This means you will now be able use the value of a Driven Dimension to drive any equation or feature you like, replacing the need for complicated equations. Additionally, Driven Dimensions can be referred to anywhere in Fusion just like normal parameters. 

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I am eager to try it. Team F360 finally addressing basic features that have plagued the application for years is a step in the right direction.

Thank for implementing this sought after feature.

[Christoph_360]

Hello

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@Careless_wrote:

Seems like this has been addressed in the latest update as of this post.

On the F360 October 2023 blog post, there is this section here:

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Yes it works.

Thanks

Christoph

[Christoph_360]

Hello

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@Careless_  wrote:

Seems like this has been addressed in the latest update as of this post.

On the F360 October 2023 blog post, there is this section here:

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It also works for Configured Design. Great job by the developers.

Thanks

Christoph

[jhawkinsRXEMB]

Am I correct that it is still not possible to use a driven dimension in a formula? I am trying to set a parameter to the max of a calculated value or a safe minimum. I.e. max(myCalculatedValue;drivenDimensionThatExpressesTheSafeMinimum)

I get errors using the driven dimension like this, whereas it works if I just throw a number in to confirm the formula syntax. Is this expected, or am I missing something?

[laughingcreek]

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@jhawkinsRXEMB wrote:

Am I correct that it is still not possible to use a driven dimension in a formula?...

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you can use driven dims in formulas, even the max formula.  you still have you manage your units though.