Fix/Unfix Error message

[threadbuilt]

Turning an already dimensioned line or construction line into a fixed line does not then create a driven dimension - so you can go and edit the dimension and it will throw an error but not tell you that this is due to the geometry being fixed i.e. error warning states the following: "Failed to Solve. Please delete or modify one of the following constraints/dimensions" but does not identify that it is fixed or give a dimension number or to remove a constraint

[masa.minohara]

Hi @threadbuilt,

Thank you for posting! I tested with a simple sketch but was unable to reproduce the issue. Would you be able to share a public link to the design and also record a screencast of the issue?

[threadbuilt]

@masa.minohara,

Link to screencast:

http://autode.sk/2IyikM8

I have shared the "project" with you in this case although it is just a made up one for the purposes of proving the issue I noted. The reason I noticed this originally was I was trying to scale some exploded text not realising it was constrained by default with the "Fix" constraint. Issues with this in general (at least for me are:

1. Fix/Unifix constraint icon is not shown against geometry when active - yet every other constraint is
2. Dimensions that are created prior to geometry being Fixed are not shown as driven dimensions yet if I were to dimension the same item after it being fixed then it would be - perhaps driven is the wrong wording here given the sequence of events however this is a good indicator normally that the dimensions are not editable at the very least...
3. Error message only referenced the dimension as a source for the error and does not mention that the Fixed constraint (which again is not wholly obvious at times that it is in effect) could be the cause and when trying to alter the size/scale of some geometry using dimensions the last thing you want to do is delete the dimension that was going to drive the changes

This isn't a world ending issue but would be nice t see it ironed out a little. I have submitted an Idea on the forum for showing Fix/Unfix constraint icon...so if that is of use to this process at all feel free to promote it.

Regards,

David

[jeff_strater · Accepted solution]

Hi @threadbuilt, I can provide some context here.  First, you are absolutely correct about the misleading error message.  I will file a bug to get that improved.  Responses to your other points inline below

1. Fix/Unifix constraint icon is not shown against geometry when active - yet every other constraint is

The reason we chose not to show a fixed icon is for performance and screen clutter reasons.  It is common to fix a lot of geometry at one time.  Even a simple rectangle is composed of 8 items - 4 lines and 4 points.  Fixing that rectangle would then result in 8 fixed icons.  On a larger sketch, you could imagine the large number of icons that would result.  I agree that it is inconsistent, but FWIW, it was done purposefully

1. Dimensions that are created prior to geometry being Fixed are not shown as driven dimensions yet if I were to dimension the same item after it being fixed then it would be - perhaps driven is the wrong wording here given the sequence of events however this is a good indicator normally that the dimensions are not editable at the very least...

Fusion does not automatically change dimensions to driven when the geometry is fixed, mainly to support a different workflow.  It is a good idea, when working with large sketches to fix the portion of the sketch that you are not currently working on.  However, you may later want to go back and modify that area of the sketch.  You can unfix that area, and all constraints and dimensions will become "live" again.  You can edit them, move geometry, etc., the fix them again.  If Fusion converted all dimensions referencing fixed geometry to driven, this workflow would be more difficult.

1. Error message only referenced the dimension as a source for the error and does not mention that the Fixed constraint (which again is not wholly obvious at times that it is in effect) could be the cause and when trying to alter the size/scale of some geometry using dimensions the last thing you want to do is delete the dimension that was going to drive the changes

Agreed.  This is a misleading error message.

[edit]  bug has been filed as FUS-38958