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Fusion 360 Review
Last year in EDM 1, we covered a brief introduction into Fusion 360 during the project, Plane and Simple. Within this unit, we learned about the fundamentals to 3D design, including creating a sketch, changing sketch dimensions, extrudnng objects, using the fillet tool, using the shell tool, as well as creating basic shapes within the 2D plane (tangent arc, circle, 2-point rectangle all included). Following online tutorials, I designed a custom lego block with my extruded name and a book page holder. In this unit, I reviewed the different applications in Fusion 360 (listed below), created several "pro-tricks" based on previous experience, and finally created two projects following online tutorials--a paper clip and a root beer bottle. Below contains my documentation:
Parts of Fusion 360 Interface
Below contains the different parts of Fusion 360 interface including the title and function:
Browser
The browser displays all objects in a user's assembly, organized by different components. Within this menu, one can change the visibility of sketches/bodies/joints. You can change the units for dimensions in the browser.
Data Panel
In the data panel, you can organize active Fusion teams, projects, and different files. Addition to creating new projects, you can also create folders and upload content.
Profile and Help
Located on the application bar, the profile and help features allow you to view your online account and interact with the Fusion community (help + feedback)
Application Bar
The application bar allows you to create new projects (by clicking the plus icon next to the tabs), as well as save/export/open active files. To the left is also the undo/redo button to allow one to revert their recent actions. Additional icons represent the Fusion 360 extensions represent job Status, notification center, help, and profile.
Toolbar
The toolbar is where all the necessary applications for design are located. The left hand drop down menu consists of different workspaces, including design, generative design, render, animation, simulation, etc. -- each workspace has its own unique tools. The toolbar also has different tabs to organize the tools; for example, all parametric tools are located under the "Solid" tab.
Canvas and Marking Menu
The canvas is the main area where the design assembly will display- it is where sketches are made and objects are edited. The marking menu is a condensed list of frequently accessed tools (undo/redo/delete/etc.), and it summoned through right-clicking the canvas. It is split up between the command wheel (most common commands) and the overflow menu (additional commands).
View Cube
The view cube, located in the top right corner, allows the user to adjust the viewpoint of the object. It can be manually adjusted through dragging the cube; however, one can also click a face to achieve a certain side. The standard perspective, named the home view, is a 3/4 view of the model.
Timeline
The timeline, located at the very bottom of the interface, lists the chronological actions completed while in Parametric modeling (essentially design history). The play button allows the user to play through the design.
Navigation Bar
The navigation bar contains commands used to zoom, pan, and orbit the user's design. One of the main features of the bar lies in the "Display Settings," which allow the user to physically change the appearance of the object (shaded/unshaded).
Preference Page
This page allows the user to implement specific document changes (ex. changes in dimension) for future files.
Multiple Views
Here is a design from multiple views at once, accessed from the Display settings.
navigating the Fusion 360 User Interface
Pro Tricks
Pro trick #1
Use an image as an overlay on a project to create custom designs (ex. QR code + extrude). Import the image onto the canvas and toggle the visibility afterwards
QR code design with overlay
QR code design without overlay
Pro trick #2
Use a negative extrude to create an engraving-like design. Either type in a negative value or drag the arrow inwards.
example of negative extrude
Paper Clip
Paper clip design in Fusion 360, home view
Imported .STL file in PrusaSlicer
Sliced design in PrusaSlicer, no supports
Paper clip sweep path
Paper clip sweep path solely containing the construction lines
To make the paper clip in Fusion 360, I learned how to create basic sketch with sketch constraints and constructive lines, draw tangent arcs, and utilize the sweep tool. I first designed a sweep path using the line features, snapping the lines vertically/horizontally. Next, using the tangent arc feature, I drew the rounded parts of the paper clip at the end points of the construction lines; when doing this, it naturally applied a tangent constraint to the curve and the adjacent line. Then, I created a new sketch in the vertical plane perpendicular to the paper clip sketch. Once I drew a center circle at the outside of the paper clip, I applied the sweep feature, selecting the cirlce for the profile and the paperclip body as the path.
IMG_1047.MOVTime-lapse of paperclip print
Printed paperclip
Problems Encountered and Solutions
There were no problems throughout this process.
Root Beer Bottle
Root beer bottle design in Fusion 360, home view
Imported .STL file in PrusaSlicer
Sliced design in PrusaSlicer, no supports
My Movie 14.movTime-lapse of root beer bottle print
Printed root beer bottle
sketch of root beer bottle before revolve
To make the root beer bottle in Fusion 360, I learned how to import a reference image into the canvas, sketch a fit point spline, and use the revolve feature. I first imported my image into the vertical plane of my file. After creating three basic lines (2 vertical and 1 horizontal), I used the fit point spline feature to draw the curves of the bottle. I later adjusted the curvature by dragging the points around--this was simply trial and error. Then, I used the revolve feature, selecting the half-bottle sketch for the profile, and the middle vertical line as the axis.
Problems Encountered and Solutions
There were no issues throughout this process.
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