Machine Configuration Preview (Incomplete)

[zwelsh91]

Since the last major update the Machine Configuration options are, in my view broken and incomplete. I will attach a screen cast to outline the major issues that I am having with the preview.

The first issue is of the fact that I have to turn off then turn on either the Additive or Machine configuration to get it to show up when creating a new setup in a file.

Second there is no option to map to a local folder to choose an existing Machine Configuration when you open the dialog box to select a machine. In the screen cast you can see that I have to select a generic machine click "OK" then use the "EDIT" button to open the Machine Configuration menu, From there you must select "LOAD", navigate to your preferred folder and file then click "OK" again.

I also Referenced this in a reply to someone else's post earlier here: https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/fusion-360-computer-aided/select-machine-no-longer-in-setup-dialog/m-...

Are these issues that everyone is seeing?

[seth.madore]

Couple points;

1) There IS a small bug where Machine Configs need to be turned on in the featureflags. Have you done that yet?

2) What sort of benefit do you pull from the Machine Configs? Right now, I sort of view them as just "there" and not much more. Yes, they will be added onto and turn into something that's actually beneficial, but as of now...?

[zwelsh91]

Tank you for the response.  Could you elaborate on FeatureFlags?

To answer your question about why I use the Machine Configurations, Plain and simple it is an easy way for me to make sure the correct post is associated with the setup I am programming and posting. Conventionally with Machine Configurations off, Fusion will default to the last selected post processor and when I switch back and forth between mill and turn work it feels clunky to me to have to toggle back and forth. So if I have two machine definitions that have the posts associated to them I don't have to think about it as much ( I know "LAZY" lol!).

[engineguy]

@zwelsh91 

Zak, please forgive me if I am a bit out of line here, first of all, I do agree with you on the issues of having to keep going to the Preferences to enable the Machine Configuration.

On the second issue of not easily finding the machine configurations I don`t seem to be having that issue, I simply open a new Setup, click select to get a machine it takes me straight to the folder where my machine is stored and I simply select the type required (Lathe/Mill) and that opens the folder with that type and I just select the machine I require so no clicking "round the houses" here.

The only thing I could see from your screencast that you do different to me is that you don`t select the folder from the drop down list which is defaulted to "All", I have mine (Both Lathe and Mill) set to "Local" because that is where my Machine Files were saved to when I created them which means that when I use the select in setup I am taken to those folders and I have only to toggle between Mill and Turning to get to my machines

My apologies if you had already tried the above and had no joy !!

Image attached.

Regards

Rob

[zwelsh91]

I have always saved my Post And Machine Config files outside of the Fusion 360 default file structure. I do this so that I do not have to dig through the software file system to find the files, especially when I have to do post edits. I just believe that it should be an option to associate the Machine Configurations with a user defined location.

[engineguy]

@zwelsh91 

Zak, Hmmm, yes, I see what you mean, but you don`t have to dig through the PC to get the path to the folder, as it is a local one it is safe from the dreaded Fusion updates so my little workaround for ease of access was to put a shortcut on the Desktop that goes straight to the folder that contains both the Folder containing all my "Personal Post Library" Post Processors and also the Machines folder containing all my Lathe and Mill machines (.XML files) that I have created.

So, it is a double click (Single if you have your mouse set for single) and it is instant access and just go from there

Works OK for me but maybe not your "cup of tea", each to their own as they say !!

Anyway, I don`t have anything more on this right now, I`ll try and take a deeper look into it sometime soon I hope, time permitting

Regards

Rob

[seth.madore]

Here's a short video on Feature Flags. This was for another purpose (speeds and feeds) but the access remains the same:

[zwelsh91]

Thanks for the info @seth.madore!

Turning on the machine config feature flag fixes the problem I was having where I had to turn off then turn on the preview in the preferences. I also noticed the comparison feature for simulation and I must say it has potential, needs a little optimization though, but it is nice to have a visual of left over material.

[seth.madore]

Everything in the FeatureFlags is really just beta stuff. It give developers and power users some stuff to play with while it's being developed. Rest assured, the Stock Comparison is nowhere near completed and what they have in mind is a lot more fleshed out then what you have access to

[engineguy]

@seth.madore 

Thank you Seth, very interesting looking forward

Regards

Rob