Requesting the ability to create and maintain custom XML thread libraries which are synced on the cloud.

[george.sparshatt]

We design predominantly for the defence sector and as such, there are many custom threads we create. We require the ability to maintain our own customised XML thread data in Fusion 360. I've played with creating a customised XML thread file and got good results. Unfortunately they get overwritten when Fusion gets updated. The custom XML files would also need to sync on the Cloud. Please implement this, as I won't use the 'coil' command as while it is flexible, it's too finicky for a process that could be made so simple. Thanks for listening.

[g-andresen · Accepted solution]

Hi,

have a look at this  post

by @MRWakefield  and threadkeeper

günther

[MRWakefield]

Thanks for the mention and link to the thread @g-andresen .

[MRWakefield · Accepted solution]

As @g-andresen pointed out, there is a potential solution using my custom threads app and ThreadKeeper. Even though I'm a team of one I do store my custom thread files in the cloud (Google Drive in this case) so I can use my backup laptop if need be and still have access to my custom threads.

Prompted by your enquiry I wondered whether I could use the AutoDesk Desktop Connector software to store my custom thread files in (if you don't already know this gives you a 'Fusion 360' drive that reflects your Fusion data panel). I created a new project called Custom Thread Files and copied all of my custom thread files to it.

This might be easier to manage than yet another cloud service as far as team access goes. However, there appears to be an issue with ThreadKeeper syncing when using this particular cloud solution. I had it work with a few sample files but when I tried to sync all my files it errored out. My app does have a syncing facility but it's not as automated as ThreadKeeper. There has been mention in the past about changing the location of thread files so that they sync across the team and also don't get moved with every Fusion update! The 'Assets' folder has been suggested IIRC.

Anyway, I hope this helps.

[george.sparshatt · Accepted solution]

@g-andresenand @MRWakefield 

Apologies for the delay in getting back to you, but thank you both so much for your valuable time and feedback.

I've been testing your individual solutions and have ended up adopting both...

I'm using ThreadKeeper in conjunction with Tresorit (a Swiss "army knife" equivalent of Dropbox), to synchronise my Custom Threads between my workstations, and Marcus' Fusion Thread Utility to organise, compile and add new ones.

By setting the default folder in both apps on each workstation to point to my Tresorit shared folder, works seamlessly across the ether 🙂

You Guys rock! Thank you both so much for all the hard work you have put into these fantastic solutions.

With kind regards, George

[MRWakefield]

Thanks for your kind words and appreciation @george.sparshatt. It's very satisfying to know that people are benefitting from the many many hours spent writing the app (in my case at least!). It's not perfect but hopefully it gets better with each iteration.