From the Ethers to Reality with Fusion 360

I've been struggling to get my tiny brain around Fusion 360 after getting fed up with the limitations of Sketchup.

I needed a router template to cut some recesses in my workshop cabinets for the castors, so I thought I'd have a crack at designing and 3D printing it. Why do it the easy way and cut it out of wood :roll:!

I'm glad to say, that all the frustration is starting to pay off. Took about an hour of swearing to go from a thought bubbly to a blob of molten plastic...

I'm constantly amazed at how clever Fusion360 is. I designed the template and then thought, "why don't I make the screw holes countersunk... now how the devil do I do a tapered extrude...?" But of course, Fusion already has a countersunk screw tool! Some smart bugger has been there done that. 30s later, and 4 x countersunk holes.

What a world we live in where this sort of thing is possible in our own home..

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I tried to get my head around using 360, but found it did my head in. I use mainly AutoCAD 2002, because that's what I was taught on, not for CNC stuff but for general drawing. Tried cambam, but that does my head in also.

Fusion 360 works like other mechanical 3D modelling programs. Once you learn it you will be able to pick up NX, invetor, solidworks etc quickly. It does routine things like your project well. I could probably do that job in 15 minutes. It handles less common tasks like controlled surfaces less well. The sketcher is clunky and data and file imports are limited. It is IMO the best thing autodesk has ever built, but that comes off a very low bar indeed.

NX will create a countersunk, counter-bored, drafted or screw threaded hole in a couple of clicks. Mind I have about 6 years full time on NX so I'm a lot quicker on it. I could model your project in about 5 minutes.

I have not used sketchup so cannot comment.

KB, it's worth persisting. I asked about good Youtube tutorials here on the forum, and got some excellent suggestions. Lars in particular is very useful - he has a bunch of recorded webinars where he goes through similar things again and again, which is great for embedding things. Paul Jenkins is very good for getting your head around the howto and power of parametric modelling.
I have yet to get to some of the other suggestions in the thread.

At the moment, at a total cost of $0, F360 can't be beat. I'm just hoping they don't suck us all in, and then slap a charge on it!

The forum and video tutorials on autodesk's site are very good aswell. Better IMO than the youtube stuff but YMMV.

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Originally Posted by damian

The forum and video tutorials on autodesk's site are very good as well. Better IMO than the youtube stuff but YMMV.

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Did a few of them but found them too long-winded and didactic. Lars' practical approach works well for me

I have also tried various cad programs. Must admit i really struggle, that's why i currently stick to cambam,,,,however i do need to learn a proper drawing program

watching the right vids on youtube about sketchup for woodworkers helps shorten the learning process.

I learned Sketchup from a Steve Ramsey video

YouTube

this is a Fusion360 thread, not a Sketchup thread. Get off my lawn ! :roflmao:
But in all seriousness, IMHO F360 has a better "maker" license these days, and the power of parametric editing is significant when you're iterating on things.

It's a sketchup forum.

Steve Ramsey Rocks!

But its Jay Bates for me!
Easy and quick talking.
Gets stuff done!

So much better.

Wasted so much time trying to learn 360.

Had to return to sketchup to get stuff done!

I really like Fusion 360.
I have the advantage of an employer who pays for online training courses - used to be Linda but now LinkedIn has acquired them. Some very good courses for SketchUp and Fusion 360 but some not so good. Lucky I can pick and choose or try them all :D

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Originally Posted by ericks2

I have also tried various cad programs. Must admit i really struggle, that's why i currently stick to cambam,,,,however i do need to learn a proper drawing program

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It really does depend on what your needs are ericks2. If you are after doing Cad drawings for construction or drawings for mechanical parts like the OP then you have to choose the right one.

Stewie D