3d printer

[ukracer]

seems i've opened up a can of worms. i've had a look at f360 and it's completely baffled me i need to either watch tutorials or find something much more simple. i am brand new to this rememberi'm going to look at Tinkercad

I am telling you there is nothing easier than fusion 360 BUT its damn hard unless you happen to just click with the concept.
I am sure other people will find other software easier but in general that's what they started with.
It's all useable once you understand it.
Everytime I use something else I go back to fusion.

 

[ukracer]

What I do is find a datum to base the second sketch off, for example the centre point of the first sketch. That way they are both in line. I can then make a new component, and add a new plane x distance from the original. Then i start a new sketch and extrude. Bear in mind you can move the second plane and object around in all 3 axis, so you're not limited to one method.
I've come to the conclusion that multiple sketches is where it's at. Almost every detail gets a new sketch. You'll find it a lot easier to manage. I'm still learning, but the more I play around, the more I learn. And I found it to be a VERY steep learning curve. I also detest watching youtube tutorials because they don't usually provide you with a quick answer, so it's taken me a while to figure things out.

I know you are correct but simply can't get my head round sketches.

But I am in 100% agreement with the rest of it.
My problem is when I use it I am after a solution. I don't have time to learn a bit at a time. (Sadly)

The way I learn best is to show people what I hae achieved. What I want to achieve and if any one helps ask them to record the screen. I have even purchased screen recording software for someone in the past.

 

[Dr.Al]

I am telling you there is nothing easier than fusion 360 BUT its damn hard unless you happen to just click with the concept.
I am sure other people will find other software easier but in general that's what they started with.

I'm sure that's true, but Fusion is quite different to other software. I use OnShape a lot and also ZW3D a lot. Occasionally I use NX. Even less frequently I use SolidEdge or Solidworks. I can go between any of them without too much pain but Fusion drives me potty. Even FreeCAD seems easier than Fusion to me. So I would say "other people find other software easier but in general they started with something other than Fusion".

If Fusion is where you've started, then definitely keep going at it as it'll be a steep learning curve to go elsewhere. Or use something else and be free to switch around quite a few other similar tools, but Fusion will forever be a PITA.

 

[Can'tWeld]

I use f360 too, found it surprisingly easy to get used to.

Blender is a lot more of a steep learning curve (although it is more powerful too) as it isn't really designed for solid modelling. I've done some blender work for my game project and honestly I hate it.

 

[hooblah]

My problem is when I use it I am after a solution. I don't have time to learn a bit at a time. (Sadly)

That's exactly my problem too. I don't want the faff of learning, I've got **** to do! But the same principle applies to anything and everything. If I hadn't spend hours learning mechanical theory, how to use workshop machinery, how to weld, etc. I'd eventually have to put the time in to figure it out because my problem wouldn't solve itself. I pick things up as I'm doing them, and it's the same with f360. Every time I pick it up it gets a little bit easier (and it's never 'just to practice').

Just today i've spent a lot of it faffing about with f360. I started a project last night (out of necessity), and finished it a few mins ago. I had to restart at least twice because it wasn't giving me the result I was after, but I also learnt a few things along the way, and i'm sure it will be even easier next time I go to use it.

 

[ukracer]

I'm sure that's true, but Fusion is quite different to other software. I use OnShape a lot and also ZW3D a lot. Occasionally I use NX. Even less frequently I use SolidEdge or Solidworks. I can go between any of them without too much pain but Fusion drives me potty. Even FreeCAD seems easier than Fusion to me. So I would say "other people find other software easier but in general they started with something other than Fusion".

If Fusion is where you've started, then definitely keep going at it as it'll be a steep learning curve to go elsewhere. Or use something else and be free to switch around quite a few other similar tools, but Fusion will forever be a PITA.

Spot on that's how I feel.

 

[skotl]

What are tutorials with conventional words and pictures like for Fusion? One major irritation of DSM is that almost everything is in "video" format which I can't be doing with.
I have tried Fusion just playing with it and find it totally unintuitive, the same as Onshape. That is how I ended up on DSM.

Really good - there's tons of vids but the tutorial site itself is all text and diagrams.
Then there is the incredibly helpful forum - here's just one example from when I googled "offset from an offset" - all very clear textual descriptions:

Can't offset from an offset?

I've noticed this in a couple drawings, not sure if it started with the latest update. I'm unable to create an "offset" from a curve that itself was created as an offset. Video below. Sure, I can offset from the original one, but I'd like to keep things relative the width of the feature...

forums.autodesk.com

By the way, I've never actually joined the forum and never asked a question myself. Pretty much every answer I've needed has come from me just googling the question.

 

[atconut]

i think it would go in a lot easier if i was 15 years old but i think i should start with something easier once i've grasped the theory then change

 

[ukracer]

i think it would go in a lot easier if i was 15 years old but i think i should start with something easier once i've grasped the theory then change

That's the problem. Fusion is not like anything else. Switching afterwards seems to be a lot harder.

 

[m_c]

The key to F360 and similar parametric modelling software, is it needs a different mindset from conventional CAD work.
You're not creating a drawing, you're creating a 3D model, and to create the 3D model you have to think about how you build up the model using the available tools.

However you also need to be aware there are different environments/workflows in F360. For the vast majority of engineering type modelling, you'll only need the Solid environment.

I'd probably suggest starting with the in app tutorials, then move on to modelling something very simple.

 

[hooblah]

I've made and remade this at least 6 times. I'm quite proud of what i've managed to achieve. Now to get the 3d printer working again...