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Digital technologies/3D printing/3D modeling- Intermediate (view source)
Revision as of 19:14, 25 August 2023
, 19:14, 25 August 2023→Introduction to Fusion360
=== Fusion 360 User Interface ===
=== Fusion 360 User Interface ===
[[File:User Interface of Fusion 360.png|center|959x959px]]
There are 5 main areas of the user interface. When the software is first launched, you should be seeing the screen above.
There are 5 main areas of the user interface. When the software is first launched, you should be seeing the screen above.
=== Sketching ===
=== Sketching ===
The sketch function is the most important feature of a CAD program. It allows users to sketch 2D drawings as the base to create 3D objects.
The sketch function is the most important feature of a CAD program. It allows users to sketch 2D drawings as the base to create 3D objects.
[[File:Sketch Interface.png|center|650x650px]]
To create a rectangle, first click on “Create Sketch” from the tool bar above. Select the desired sketch plane. In the example above, YZ plane was selected. This is the plane which the 2D sketch will be created. You’ll notice the tool bar above has transformed to display sketch functions. Select “2-Point Rectangle” from the tool bar. Click on the origin of the sketch plane and drag to create a desired rectangle. The sketch features are defined with reference to the origin to position it in space. It is why it is recommended to have one vertex of the sketch to be defined as the origin. After the rectangle is drawn, you can define the dimensions of the 2 sides of the rectangle. You can toggle between the dimensions by using the “Tab” key on your keyboard. Press enter to confirm the sketch.
To create a rectangle, first click on “Create Sketch” from the tool bar above. Select the desired sketch plane. In the example above, YZ plane was selected. This is the plane which the 2D sketch will be created. You’ll notice the tool bar above has transformed to display sketch functions. Select “2-Point Rectangle” from the tool bar. Click on the origin of the sketch plane and drag to create a desired rectangle. The sketch features are defined with reference to the origin to position it in space. It is why it is recommended to have one vertex of the sketch to be defined as the origin. After the rectangle is drawn, you can define the dimensions of the 2 sides of the rectangle. You can toggle between the dimensions by using the “Tab” key on your keyboard. Press enter to confirm the sketch.
[[File:Fusion 360 Rectangle Sketch.png|center|600x600px]]
Next, the line tool will be introduced. Drawing a line is the most simple and versatile function of sketch. It will allow you to create any shapes you will need. Select the “Line” option from the tool bar. Hover your mouse over the rectangle, the mouse will be drawn to the line and an ‘X’ will appear. This means that one end of the line will intersect with the rectangle. Move the mouse towards the middle of the line on the rectangle until a triangle icon shows up. This signifies the midpoint of the line. Click to create the start of the line segment. Drag the mouse to create the line and click again to create the end of the line. You can also manipulate the dimension of the line manually by entering the value.
Next, the line tool will be introduced. Drawing a line is the most simple and versatile function of sketch. It will allow you to create any shapes you will need. Select the “Line” option from the tool bar. Hover your mouse over the rectangle, the mouse will be drawn to the line and an ‘X’ will appear. This means that one end of the line will intersect with the rectangle. Move the mouse towards the middle of the line on the rectangle until a triangle icon shows up. This signifies the midpoint of the line. Click to create the start of the line segment. Drag the mouse to create the line and click again to create the end of the line. You can also manipulate the dimension of the line manually by entering the value.
[[File:Fusion 360 Line Sketch.png|center|649x649px]]
To draw the line at an angle, drag the line out at an angle. At this point, there should be an angle dimension displayed. This value can be altered manually.
To draw the line at an angle, drag the line out at an angle. At this point, there should be an angle dimension displayed. This value can be altered manually.
To create an arc, select “Create” -> “Arc” -> “Tangent Arc” from the tool bar. This will create an arc tangent to two other entities. Left click on the vertex of where you would like the arc to connect. Then click on the other vertex to connect. Alternative to create arcs include 3<ins>-</ins> point arcs where you select the two vertex and the middle point of the arc or center point arc when the arc is create<ins>d</ins> by finding the center of the arc.
To create an arc, select “Create” -> “Arc” -> “Tangent Arc” from the tool bar. This will create an arc tangent to two other entities. Left click on the vertex of where you would like the arc to connect. Then click on the other vertex to connect. Alternative to create arcs include 3-point arcs where you select the two vertex and the middle point of the arc or center point arc when the arc is create<ins>d</ins> by finding the center of the arc.
In order for a 2D sketch to be converted to 3D model, the 2D profile has to be a closed shape. This means all the lines and entities have to form a closed loop. This will be indicated with a light-blue shading inside the sketch.
In order for a 2D sketch to be converted to 3D model, the 2D profile has to be a closed shape. This means all the lines and entities have to form a closed loop. This will be indicated with a light-blue shading inside the sketch.