configuration project

[JYZMT]

Hello

I'm trying to understand the best way to have a least some level of multi configuration in designs (beyond dimension and pattern parameters).

I've been through the forums and many video tutorials; although there are some great videos, questions and ideas (requests) outs there, some go back to 2014, and I don't know how they sit against updates on this fast changing platform.

My principle problem is that often the designs need to be configured in quite different ways. I'm trying not to have to create a HUGE library of topologically different designs, which only change in the dimensions and part sizes. Say for example a lid that hinges on the right hand side, or the left hand side (but the rest of the design not mirrored). It does not take many options on many variables before the number of files becomes very large.

There is some talk in 2014 of the configuration project, but I can't see what happened to it?

One option I think I could use to an extent is to suppress features on the time line. i.e. create an indent or whatever on the right AND the left, and then suppress the one I'm not using... But this has limits.

There looks like an interesting add in which saves suppression configuration (and parameter settings)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VTTctoid2E

Which I will try and get my head in to. 

And there is some more recent requests for the ability to switch in and out components, but this is still gathering support I think.

Any ideas of best practice, like the suppress feature thing which I only just stumbled upon?

All suggestions gratefully received. Thanks  

[JYZMT]

Hello, 

It looks like onshape are on to this:

https://forum.onshape.com/discussion/6317/creating-multiple-parts-that-vary-only-in-input-variables 

Can anyone tell me how I might do a similar thing in fusion? 

....."Now... is there some better way to produce my 20 unique parts than just making 20 copies of that part studio, each with those two variables changed?"

Can even this be done in fusion? If I have set up a component (which refers to a sketch), and I copy it, can I vary one parameter on that copy? with out changing the original?

[TrippyLighting · Accepted solution]

Nope. Unfortunately true configurations like in any other Software I have worked with or am working with (Solid Works, Alibre Design, ZW3D) do not exist in Fusion 360.

In wish I still hadsaved the AD web page that advertised configurations 3 years a go as that one of the features that got me interested in Fusion360.

While there are many other things I've come to like  , this feature set is still not implemented.

[JYZMT]

Aghhhhh. I was getting on so well with fusion. I just assumed it could do this.

Thanks for your reply.

All it needs to do is control the user parameters of the linked components, within the live assembly. I would not have thought that was so hard?  

I'm new to these mechanical CAD packages (having come from architectural, rendering and BIM), some do do it then? 

[JYZMT · Accepted solution]

@TrippyLighting and all,

I think I may have discovered a big step towards this configuration project. I've come across an awesome add-in from @prainsberry  (thanks), called sheeter, available here.

https://github.com/tapnair/FusionSheeter 

You can see a user implementing it here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PT9XY-qnf0 , which is where I found it existed, because its not in the add in store.

I think this is a powerful work around for configurable models (for me at least), without heavy knowledge of API scripting, because its possible to use the if / then etc LOGIC in the spreadsheet to drive the parameters, and (importantly) the suppression of features can also be driven by parameter values. When you start to introduce data validation drop down lists to the cells (which refer to a list of values), vlookup from another tab and logic, it essentially works as a configurable data base

Its not going to give limit less flexibility, but I think it should solve a few of my work process issues, so I thought I should share it.

It works best one way, i.e from the spreadsheet to the model. It can go the other way, where the model drives the spreadsheet, but just bear in mind it overrides the cells, so if a user parameter cell is referencing another tab, or is a formula, it simply gets overridden by the numerical value pushed from the model (the formula can be copied in again, and then pushed to the model).

I know the parameters in fusion can easily be formula driven, but its the logic, and the list referencing and the vlookup commands that are so useful to me.

Anyway, its helping me, hope it helps you.

[JYZMT]

If any one from autodesk is listening... I see onshape have implemented their configuration capacity now. This is exactly what fusion needs.

Will fusion ever get something similar?  

[CruftMeister]

I too would consider this one of the foundational tools that any "modern" MCAD system must have, and in fact, any of the packages I've used (Pro-E, Creo and Solidworks) all had it.

It would be great to hear someone from AutoDesk address this with a real answer - i.e. a timeline to implementation . . .

[JYZMT]

@TrippyLighting 

Derivatives..... = configurations ?????

When these were announced last month, we became very excited. We are playing about with them now, and although not entirely what I was thinking, its certainly a massive step in this direction. We have not opened the champagne yet, but certainly moved it to the fridge. 

Just wondered if you had any thoughts on them so far, being a long term "configuration" advocate. Are they doing what you need them to?  

[TrippyLighting]

I've not had a chance to give the new derive feature a really good workout, but here's a recent thread with a lot of good info on the derive feature.

[JYZMT]

Thanks for the link, a very helpful intro.

I note, "derive was not created to fill in the configuration gap" on the second page. At least there is a acknowledged gap. 

We are also finding its not quite what we hopped it might be... still, its useful though. 

Thanks again

[gjemmott]

Holy Sheet, JYZMT!  What a great find!

FusionSheeter serves all my spreadsheet-driven configuration needs, at least for now.

Note: https://github.com/tapnair/FusionSheeter has a spare character at the end of the link that makes it not work when clicked on.

(I sent JYZMT a message, so hopefully the original post can be updated, but for now, if you get a 404 message from GitHub, this might be why)

[JYZMT]

Hello,

Thanks for that. I'm sure the link worked before. Either way, I can't seem to edit the original post now, presumably because its old? 

Anyway, as you say, correct link here

https://github.com/tapnair/FusionSheeter