Cannot delete sketch regions

[PNW_Allstar]

I am a first time user of Fusion 360 having used AutoCAD for 3D modeling over the course of three years. I noticed two problems. 

The first problem is that I cannot delete a sketch after I extrude. I created a box by sketching the base shape and performing a simple extrude command, putting in an offset and extruding that offset to make blank space inside the box. I then copied the geometry from the box and extruded that to make a top. Since there was no way to just add a top to the box, I had to make the top piece separate from my box and move it over after I had extruded it. This worked after some frustration figuring out how to snap the lid to the box, but now I have a region sitting next to my box that I cannot delete. I select and hit the delete option, but it stays there. This is what it looks like. 

The other problem I am having is that I cannot delete a region inside of another region. I created a rectangle and offset it to essentially create the outline of a wall. I am unable to delete the region in the middle. This is causing problems because when I try to loft this with a scaled down portion (lofting wall section to wall section) it lofts the inside portion I tried to delete without having selected it. Here are some screenshots of the failed process. 

Here is the unwanted region highlighted in blue. The same region on the other rectangle is also unwanted. 

Here is what I get when I enter into the loft function before I hit okay in the loft menu. I want the two blue walls to loft to each other. 

This is the final product when I hit enter on the loft menu. I don't see any way that this should happen, regardless of not being able to delete the inner rectangle regions. 

I would appreciate any help with this issue. As I mentioned I have used AutoCAD frequently, so I should be able to understand some terminology, but as I have seen in my first couple of hours with Fusion, there are major differences, so bear with me please. 

Thank you very much.

[jhackney1972]

Please attach your design so others can troubleshoot your exact issue.

[PNW_Allstar]

Unfortunately I have already deleted the file. I was  practicing as a transition from AutoCAD focusing on some concepts that I will need to model an electronics enclosure I will be designing in Fusion. The goal was to test the capabilities of Fusion, and it was a valuable learning experience. 

From my further research after posting this I have concluded that this issue is just a design limitation in the fusion program. I am able to hide the sketch portion for the extruded model as a workaround, but from my understanding the loft feature is limited in terms of design intent. My design would require lofting a separate model for the outer perimeter of both rectangles and then subtracting the smaller perimeter portion from the larger perimeter portion. 

I will be researching this limitation further and assessing the feasibility of writing a python script to circumvent this deficiency. 

[jeff_strater]

@PNW_Allstar - There are a couple of things here that are worth trying to understand before you go any further in Fusion.  You cannot delete a profile (what you call a region) by selecting the profile.  There are reasons for that, but I won't go into those unless you really want to know them.  Instead, you have to delete the lines/arcs/curves that define that region.  Select them individually, or with a rectangle selection, and you will be able to delete them.  Second, in your first image, pretty sure that those sketch curves are not owned by the active sketch.  You can tell that because they are dimmed.  When in sketch mode, you can only delete curves from the sketch being actively edited, not from other sketches.

As with any new software, there will be a few fundamental concepts that you need to understand, or you will get frustrated trying to use that software.  Fusion is much different than AutoCAD.

[PNW_Allstar]

I would be interested to know why you cannot delete a profile in this case. Thank you for advising me of the nomenclature (region in AutoCAD vs. profile in Fusion.) By creating an offset within the original profile I assumed that you would be able to delete the profile inside of the offset lines. In AutoCAD the region would be selected from the line geometry so that there would be no inside region created initially unless manually created, so it makes no sense that the automatically created inside profile in Fusion would be unable to be deleted for design intent. 

As far as the first image, are you saying that the only workaround is to hide in the sketch dropdown with the lightbulb? When I took the screenshot I may have not selected the sketch trying to be deleted, but when the sketch was selected, nothing could be deleted. 

Thank you for your input. 

[PNW_Allstar]

UPDATE

I tried to replicate the issue, but now I am seeing that I cannot properly use the move/copy function anymore. When selecting the 'create copy' option in the move/copy menu it no longer makes the copy of the original line geometry from the first sketch, but moves the whole solid model. 

I'm surprised by the lack of a COPY/PASTE function. 

If I would have saved the original model I would have been able to show you my initial issue and clarified the inconsistencies I just discovered. 

Thank you again. 

[PNW_Allstar]

UPDATE 2

This is becoming a disappointment. I found a way to copy the original sketch geometry, but only to the same sketch. I could not copy to the geometry to a different sketch, instead I had to use the geometry on the initial sketch to extrude a new body. 

As far as deleting the sketch, I was able to delete it, but only after selecting each individual line as you mentioned. For more complex line geometry this would be a major issue.

Are there any good plugins you would recommend for a more functional, efficient workflow?

[TrippyLighting]

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@PNW_Allstar wrote:

UPDATE 2

This is becoming a disappointment. I found a way to copy the original sketch geometry, but only to the same sketch. I could not copy to the geometry to a different sketch, instead I had to use the geometry on the initial sketch to extrude a new body. 

As far as deleting the sketch, I was able to delete it, but only after selecting each individual line as you mentioned. For more complex line geometry this would be a major issue.

Are there any good plugins you would recommend for a more functional, efficient workflow?

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You are working in a parametric modeling environment with a construction/design history.

That means , amongst a number of other essential things, that once you have created 3D geometry with the help of a sketch, you can go back and edit the sketch, 

The construction history, in Fusion 360 called the timeline is reevaluated from the point of the change, which will result updated 3D geometry. IF you delete the sketch you'l break the history.

You probably need to throw some of the antiquated AutoCAD workflows overboard. The industry I work in, and most others for the matter, moved away from AutoCAD 20 years ago to the parametric solid modeling software Solid Works.

That also means that you should consider sketches only as basic building blocks for geometry. 

As it pertains to the loft you are creating by connecting the two sketch profiles, Fusion 360 does not allow to create a hollow loft. You'll simply have to create a solid loft using the existing sketches and then create a second loft to cut out of the first one. Again, re-think your sketch based design workflow. Think 3D and 3D features. Everything that can be modeled with a 3D feature e.g. fillets should not go into the sketch but modeled as a solid modeled feature.

[jeff_strater · Accepted solution]

Here is a video, with audio, explaining some of the concepts you seem to be struggling with.  Hope it is helpful

[PNW_Allstar]

Thank you very much for the response video. No need to apologize for the late reply, you were doing me a favor. Thank you for clarifying the workflow for me. I experimented some more and I with a little work in this program I should be able to get used to the transition from AutoCAD. 

Before transitioning to Fusion 360 I spent some time trying SolidEdge, and it was unnecessarily painful. As an experiment, I modeled a multi-part model in SolidEdge and AutoCAD and found that SolidEdge took 2 hrs. to model vs. a casual 30-45 min. excursion in AutoCAD. The SolidEdge ordered modeling interface tried to simplify a complicated workflow and the synchronous modeling feature was a disaster to say the least. 

Once I work out the kinks in Fusion, being an Autodesk product, I should have no problem transitioning. 

I appreciate your personalized response to my specific issue, and I will strive to pay it forward to future users when I become proficient with this product. 

[TrippyLighting]

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@PNW_Allstar wrote:

..., I modeled a multi-part model in SolidEdge and AutoCAD and found that SolidEdge took 2 hrs. to model vs. a casual 30-45 min. excursion in AutoCAD. The SolidEdge ordered modeling interface tried to simplify a complicated workflow and the synchronous modeling feature was a disaster to say the least. 

Solid Edge is one of the most powerful CAD and modeling softwares available. That pertains in particular to their synchronous technology. That technology was developed to provide those users with tools that have come to the limits of parametric modeling.

That is a stage you have yet to get too!

[PNW_Allstar]

While synchronous modeling sounds good on paper, it has limitations within the SolidEdge environment. I did try both modeling environments to test the efficacy of the program, and was disappointed in both. SolidEdge operates at the level of a decent open-source program or freeware trying to become the real thing. It's okay for simple applications, but falls short of a dependable option. 

The biggest issue with SolidEdge vs Fusion is that I need to create a file for each part in SE, whereas in Fusion I can sketch multiple parts in the same file, and modify their relationship to each other without having to constantly move between files. In SE if you create two solid objects in the same part file it will export them as a single .STL file. I don't know how that even makes sense.

I got SE to work for a few small projects, but I feel the interface and capabilities still have much room to grow before it is worth my time. Fusion so far is just a strange learning curve, not easy to transition to from Autocad, but it is still a fully functional program.

Thanks for trying to help though.