CAD - Autodesk Fusion 360
Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) is a method of making technical drawing using computers. CAD was developed and first used in the 1980's as an alternative to drafting (the use of tools to make accurate technical drawings). CAD offered the same advantages over drafting that word processing provided. The ability to make clean crisp line, neat clear text, high degree of accuracy, copy, paste, delete, trim, extend, and some automated dimension definitely saved time once the operator learned the commands and use of joystick, trackball, or mouse. The ability to save multiple versions of a drawing, quickly make changes to drawings, and electronically share the files brought even more efficiency to projects. With the development of photo-copiers, large CAD drawings could be printed and reproduces quickly.
While the term CAD is still used to describe how computes are used to design and make technical drawings, modern CAD software use 3D Modelling to create virtual three dimensional representations of parts and assemblies. This is a huge leap beyond just making two dimensional drawings on a virtual piece of paper.
3D Modelling creates virtual three dimensional representations of parts, assemblies, or even building or entire site plans. These 3D models are then used to create technical drawings, but they can also be used to create Rendering (images of the design with simulated lighting and environment), Animations (videos of the assembly moving or the viewpoint moving to make it look like you are flying around or through the design), Simulations to test the structural integrity of the design, or to create programs files that can tell CNC machines or 3D prints how to make the part. These files can be shared over the internet and view on a wide variety of devices including smartphones, tabulate, laptops and desktop computers. As the 3D Modelling software become more "cloud-based" they over even more opportunities for collaboration with design team members virtually anywhere in the world.
Autodesk Fusion 360 is the 3D Modelling software used in all PLTW Engineering classes. Students will create an account online with Autodesk that will allow them to access their work on any computer that has Autodesk install on it. Once your teacher has confirmed your their students, they will give you access to the programs you will be using that year/semester. Much of the processing of Autodesk Fusion 360 is done in the cloud, so you will need internet access to use this application. To use Autodesk, students will click on the program icon on the desktop and log into their Autodesk account. Below is the display student will see once the program is open.
Data Panel - This is where you can find your saved files and set the ACTIVE Fusion Projects and open team projects. You can create new projects and folders to organize your design files.
Browser - This is located on the left side of the screen and it list all of the objects in your open file. It organizes information about components, bodies, sketches, origins, joints, construction geometry.
Application Bar - This is at the top of the screen and give you access to the Data Panel, File Menu that will let you create, open, save and export files. This is also where you find the Undo and Redo buttons. There will be tabs at the top middle that will display the name and version of each of the files you have open. Access to Fusion 360 Extension are on the right side and include: your profile, feedback, sign out, and refer a friend.
Toolbar - This is a dynamic section that display the commands that are available and they typ of data you can create depending on whick workspace you are in. The Workspaces Menu is on the left side and expands to show the workspaces you can choose from. The tools on the toolbar are different for each workspace. Tabs divide each section of the toolbar in to groups. The Design Workspace includes tools for designing Solid, Surface, T. Spline, Mesh, and Sheet Metal bodies. Below that are Contextual Tabs that only display the tools that are relevant to your current state.
Canvas - This is the main area of the display. This is where the model you are working on will be shown in its own virtual 3D world.
View Cube - Located in the upper right corner of the screen, this feature lets you change your view point and allows you to see the model from different positions. You can select the vertex, edge or face of the cube to choose a standard view point or you can click and drag the cube to rotate the model. The Home Icon next to the cube allows you to return to the starting view point and its menu expands to allow you to change the views and home view for the file.
Navigation Bar - This is located at the bottom middle of the Canvas. It contains commands to change display settings for the canvas including zoom, pan, orbit and appearance of the model.
Marking Menu - This menu appears when you right click on the canvas. It contains frequently used commands in a wheel arrangement and additional command in a menu. The tools in the marking menu will change depending on where the cursor is when you right click.
Orbit - Hold Shift key and Click Rollerball and drag to rotate.
Look At - will orient your view to a surface you select.
Pan - Click Rollerball and drag to move/center your view.
Zoom - Mouse Rollerball forward = zoom in, backwards = zoom out
Fit (View All) - zooms to fill canvas with model.
Display Setting
Grid & Snap Settings
View Ports - opens other views of the model.
Timeline - Located at the bottom of the screen this section show each operation you have done in this file and organizes them in chronological order. You can right click on an operation to make changes or double click on it to edit the operation. For example, you can double click on a sketch in the timeline in order to reopen and edit that sketch. You could also right click on the sketch to make changes like sellecting a new surface for the sketch to be on.
