Fusion 360 Essentials - Handout
Chair Design with Fusion 360: Step-by-Step Guide Skill level: Advanced
AUTODESK EDUCATION |Chair Design in Fusion 360
1
Table of Contents Foreword ...........................................................................................................................................3 Hands-on Exercises ............................................................................................................................4 Lessons ..........................................................................................................................................4
Lesson 1: Working with existing design data ................................................................................5 Objectives: .....................................................................................................................................5 Exercise 1a: Import a neutral format file .........................................................................................5 Exercise 1.b: Insert converted data into a Design.............................................................................6 Exercise 1.c: Create a concept using a T-Spline Plane .......................................................................6
Lesson 2: Creating an open body concept from a closed primitive ................................................8 Objectives: .....................................................................................................................................8 Exercise 2.a: Create a T-Spline Quadball. .........................................................................................8 Exercise 2.b: Edit the Body. .............................................................................................................8 Exercise 2.c: Thicken the Body. .......................................................................................................9 Exercise 2.d: Connect the seat to the purchased frame. ...................................................................9 Review: ........................................................................................................................................ 10
Lesson 3: Exporting Data for 3D Printing .................................................................................... 11 Objectives: ................................................................................................................................... 11 Exercise 3.a: Set options for .STL output........................................................................................ 11 Review: ........................................................................................................................................ 11
2
Foreword | AUTODESK EDUCATION
Foreword
Autodesk Fusion 360 works in the Cloud only installing a small local client to improve performance. To use Fusion 360 you will need an Autodesk ID. As a Student or Educator, you can obtain an Autodesk ID and the Fusion 360 software for free at www.autodesk.com/education. If you already have an ID not related to the Education Community it is still possible to obtain Fusion 360 at no cost from fusion360.autodesk.com. Designs that you create will be saved on the Cloud in Autodesk 360 and organized in Projects. These designs will be accesible from any system with Fusion 360 by logging in using your ID and can be shared with any other user who has use of Fusion 360. As you create your designs Fusion 360 will save versions and keep a record of your progress. The flexibility in operations to create models and the creativity that it enables will make Fusion different than any other design or CAD system you’ve used. Enjoy!
AUTODESK EDUCATION |Chair Design in Fusion 360
3
Hands-on Exercises Lessons
Importing existing data into a design
Creating an open body concept from a closed primitive
Exporting data for 3D Printing
4
Hands-on Exercises | AUTODESK EDUCATION
Lesson 1: Working with existing design data
Objectives:
Import a neutral format file Insert converted data into a design Create a concept using a T-Spline Plane
Note: Before beginning this lesson download the ChairFrame_ADV.stp file from the Digital Steam Workshop page to a local disk.
Exercise 1a: Import a neutral format file 1. In the Data Panel click the Upload button and upload the ChairFrame_ADV.stp file. Note: We do not want to edit this data as it is a model of a part that would be purchased and we must work from the manufacturer’s data. Instead, we will incorporate it into a design and use it as a reference. 2. Select New Design in the file menu to create a new tab in Fusion 360 containing a new, empty design.
AUTODESK EDUCATION |Chair Design in Fusion 360
5
Exercise 1.b: Insert converted data into a Design 1. Click and drag the Chair Frame from the Data Panel into the new design window 2. Once the data is converted to a component in the design you will be offered an opportunity to reposition it. Right-click and select OK to finish inserting the data. 3. Find the new component in the Browser. Right-click on it and select Ground from the context menu to lock it in place.
Exercise 1.c: Create a concept using a T-Spline Plane 1. Right-click on the design component at the top of the browser and select New Component from the context menu. 2. Give the new component a name and make it active. 3. Create a work plane offset 10mm above one of the mounting pads on the Chair Frame. 4. Select Create Form from the Create panel of the browser. 5. Once the Sculpt workspace is made active, expand the Create panel and select the Plane tool. 6. Click on the new work plane to start laying out your T-Spline Plane. Figure 1 chairdesign_advanced_lesson_01_ 7. Rough in a size that is slightly wider than the chair frame, but 03 extends behind it. 8. Use the manipulators to add several faces along the length but keep the number of faces across the plane limited. 9. Start the Edit Form tool and select several faces for edit by dragging a selection window from right to left over them. This will allow you to select by just making contact, rather than enveloping the faces. 10. To edit the faces when the Triad appears, find the Reorient button on the side of the mini-toolbar and click it. 11. Click on an edge next to the faces that you selected to edit. 12. Click the Stop Reorient button which replaces the Reorient button Figure 2 on the mini-toolbar. chairdesign_advanced_lesson_0 13. Now that the Triad has been reoriented you can use it to bend, 1_04 scale or rotate the selected faces based on its location. 14. Make a few changes to the model keeping in mind that we will be making an additional conceptual model in another exercise. 15. When you are finished editing the body you can turn it off, or use the Move tool (Marking Menu) to relocate it and then turn it off. Ideally you want to use Components in the Browser to make it easy to iterate through many design options. You can also copy bodies to preserve 6
Lesson 1: Working with existing design data | AUTODESK EDUCATION
Figure 3 chairdesign_advanced_le sson_01_05
one concept, while using its geometry as a starting point for another concept.
Lesson 1: Working with existing design data Review: Import a neutral format file Insert converted data into a Design Create a concept using a T-Spline Plane
AUTODESK EDUCATION |Chair Design in Fusion 360
7
Lesson 2: Creating an open body concept from a closed primitive Objectives:
Create a T-Spline Quadball Edit the Body Thicken the Body Connect the Seat to the purchased frame
Exercise 2.a: Create a T-Spline Quadball. 1. If you are no longer in the Sculpt workspace, use Create Form to return to it. 2. In the Sculpt workspace, expand the Create pull-down and click on Quadball. 3. Select the YZ plane of the design to act as the base for the new body. 4. It is recommended that you click the left or right face of the Viewcube to be able to see how the Quadball should be positioned above the chair frame. Figure 4 5. Click the screen a distance above the top of the frame. If your selection chairdesign_advanced_les proves to be too near or far from the frame, the body can be easily moved son_02_01 to a preferable position.
Exercise 2.b: Edit the Body. 1. Once the Quadball is formed, use the Move tool from the Marking Menu to select it and rotate it 30 to 45 degrees. 2. Rotate your view so the view of the Quadball shows the edges on the side as being nearly vertical and horizontal, as they did before you rotated it. 3. Use the crossing selection window (right to left) to select the faces of the top half of the Quadball. 4. Delete the selected faces. 5. Use Edit Form to make changes to the Body to suit your tastes.
Figure 5 chairdesign_advanced_less on_02_02
Note: Keep in mind that your goal is to create a shape that is complex but can be produced. The shape cannot fold onto itself.
Figure 6 chairdesign_advanced_les son_02_03
8
Lesson 2: Creating an open body concept from a closed primitive | AUTODESK EDUCATION
Exercise 2.c: Thicken the Body. 1. Use the Thicken tool from the Modify pull-down to change the 2D TSpline to a 3D body. Use a thickness of 5mm and set the Thicken Type to soft before clicking OK. 2. Look closely at your model and use Move if need be to make sure that it is not intersecting with the chair frame. Move if necessary. 3. Once the body is in the proper position, click the Finish Form tool in the toolbar to convert the body to a solid, and exit the sculpt Figure 7 workspace.
chairdesign_advanced_lesson_02_04
Exercise 2.d: Connect the seat to the purchased frame. 1. Turn the body you created off in the browsers. 2. Keep the current component active and start a new sketch on one of the mounting pads of the chair frame. 3. Project the profiles of the pads into the sketch and add lines to connect the two front pads together. 4. Do the same for the rear pads. 5. Finish the sketch and start the Extrude tool in the Create pull-down. 6. Select the profiles and use the arrow to stretch the extrusion. Figure 8 7. Turn your seat body back on in the browser. chairdesign_advanced_lesson_02_ 05 8. The display will update to show your extrusion cutting the seat. 9. Switch the Extrusion Operation option to Join and set the extents to All. 10. When the view updates and generates the geometry, click OK to create the mounting system for the seat to the chair frame. Note: If you get no result or a warning, you might have to move the body of the seat up or make sure it is wide enough to be mounted to the chair frame.
Figure 9 chairdesign_advanced_lesson_02_06
11. Add fillets to smooth the edges where the extrusion meets the seat. 12. Change the Appearance override to suit your style.
AUTODESK EDUCATION |Chair Design in Fusion 360
9
Lesson 2 - Creating an open body concept from a closed primitive Review:
Create a T-Spline Quadball Edit the Body Thicken the Body Connect the Seat to the purchased Frame
10
Lesson 2: Creating an open body concept from a closed primitive | AUTODESK EDUCATION
Lesson 3: Exporting Data for 3D Printing Objectives:
Set options for .STL output
Exercise 3.a: Set options for .STL output 1. Right-click on the Body in the Browser and select Save as STL from the context menu. 2. In the Save as STL dialog, click the checkbox to turn on Preview Mesh. 3. Change the Refinement option to a couple of different options on the pulldown, finally selecting Custom. 4. In the Refinement Options change the values for Surface Deviation, Figure 10 Normal Deviation, and Maximum Edge Length to see the effect that it has chairdesign_advanced_less on_03_01 on the number of triangles listed in the dialog. 5. Click OK to open the Save STL dialog. 6. Set a location for saving and a file name. Click Save to create the file.
Lesson 3 – Exporting data for 3D printing
Figure 11 chairdesign_advanced_lesson_ 03_02
Review: Set options for .STL output
AUTODESK EDUCATION |Chair Design in Fusion 360
11
AUTODESK EDUCATION |Chair Design in Fusion 360
1
Table of Contents Foreword ...........................................................................................................................................3 Hands-on Exercises ............................................................................................................................4 Lessons ..........................................................................................................................................4
Lesson 1: Working with existing design data ................................................................................5 Objectives: .....................................................................................................................................5 Exercise 1a: Import a neutral format file .........................................................................................5 Exercise 1.b: Insert converted data into a Design.............................................................................6 Exercise 1.c: Create a concept using a T-Spline Plane .......................................................................6
Lesson 2: Creating an open body concept from a closed primitive ................................................8 Objectives: .....................................................................................................................................8 Exercise 2.a: Create a T-Spline Quadball. .........................................................................................8 Exercise 2.b: Edit the Body. .............................................................................................................8 Exercise 2.c: Thicken the Body. .......................................................................................................9 Exercise 2.d: Connect the seat to the purchased frame. ...................................................................9 Review: ........................................................................................................................................ 10
Lesson 3: Exporting Data for 3D Printing .................................................................................... 11 Objectives: ................................................................................................................................... 11 Exercise 3.a: Set options for .STL output........................................................................................ 11 Review: ........................................................................................................................................ 11
2
Foreword | AUTODESK EDUCATION
Foreword
Autodesk Fusion 360 works in the Cloud only installing a small local client to improve performance. To use Fusion 360 you will need an Autodesk ID. As a Student or Educator, you can obtain an Autodesk ID and the Fusion 360 software for free at www.autodesk.com/education. If you already have an ID not related to the Education Community it is still possible to obtain Fusion 360 at no cost from fusion360.autodesk.com. Designs that you create will be saved on the Cloud in Autodesk 360 and organized in Projects. These designs will be accesible from any system with Fusion 360 by logging in using your ID and can be shared with any other user who has use of Fusion 360. As you create your designs Fusion 360 will save versions and keep a record of your progress. The flexibility in operations to create models and the creativity that it enables will make Fusion different than any other design or CAD system you’ve used. Enjoy!
AUTODESK EDUCATION |Chair Design in Fusion 360
3
Hands-on Exercises Lessons
Importing existing data into a design
Creating an open body concept from a closed primitive
Exporting data for 3D Printing
4
Hands-on Exercises | AUTODESK EDUCATION
Lesson 1: Working with existing design data
Objectives:
Import a neutral format file Insert converted data into a design Create a concept using a T-Spline Plane
Note: Before beginning this lesson download the ChairFrame_ADV.stp file from the Digital Steam Workshop page to a local disk.
Exercise 1a: Import a neutral format file 1. In the Data Panel click the Upload button and upload the ChairFrame_ADV.stp file. Note: We do not want to edit this data as it is a model of a part that would be purchased and we must work from the manufacturer’s data. Instead, we will incorporate it into a design and use it as a reference. 2. Select New Design in the file menu to create a new tab in Fusion 360 containing a new, empty design.
AUTODESK EDUCATION |Chair Design in Fusion 360
5
Exercise 1.b: Insert converted data into a Design 1. Click and drag the Chair Frame from the Data Panel into the new design window 2. Once the data is converted to a component in the design you will be offered an opportunity to reposition it. Right-click and select OK to finish inserting the data. 3. Find the new component in the Browser. Right-click on it and select Ground from the context menu to lock it in place.
Exercise 1.c: Create a concept using a T-Spline Plane 1. Right-click on the design component at the top of the browser and select New Component from the context menu. 2. Give the new component a name and make it active. 3. Create a work plane offset 10mm above one of the mounting pads on the Chair Frame. 4. Select Create Form from the Create panel of the browser. 5. Once the Sculpt workspace is made active, expand the Create panel and select the Plane tool. 6. Click on the new work plane to start laying out your T-Spline Plane. Figure 1 chairdesign_advanced_lesson_01_ 7. Rough in a size that is slightly wider than the chair frame, but 03 extends behind it. 8. Use the manipulators to add several faces along the length but keep the number of faces across the plane limited. 9. Start the Edit Form tool and select several faces for edit by dragging a selection window from right to left over them. This will allow you to select by just making contact, rather than enveloping the faces. 10. To edit the faces when the Triad appears, find the Reorient button on the side of the mini-toolbar and click it. 11. Click on an edge next to the faces that you selected to edit. 12. Click the Stop Reorient button which replaces the Reorient button Figure 2 on the mini-toolbar. chairdesign_advanced_lesson_0 13. Now that the Triad has been reoriented you can use it to bend, 1_04 scale or rotate the selected faces based on its location. 14. Make a few changes to the model keeping in mind that we will be making an additional conceptual model in another exercise. 15. When you are finished editing the body you can turn it off, or use the Move tool (Marking Menu) to relocate it and then turn it off. Ideally you want to use Components in the Browser to make it easy to iterate through many design options. You can also copy bodies to preserve 6
Lesson 1: Working with existing design data | AUTODESK EDUCATION
Figure 3 chairdesign_advanced_le sson_01_05
one concept, while using its geometry as a starting point for another concept.
Lesson 1: Working with existing design data Review: Import a neutral format file Insert converted data into a Design Create a concept using a T-Spline Plane
AUTODESK EDUCATION |Chair Design in Fusion 360
7
Lesson 2: Creating an open body concept from a closed primitive Objectives:
Create a T-Spline Quadball Edit the Body Thicken the Body Connect the Seat to the purchased frame
Exercise 2.a: Create a T-Spline Quadball. 1. If you are no longer in the Sculpt workspace, use Create Form to return to it. 2. In the Sculpt workspace, expand the Create pull-down and click on Quadball. 3. Select the YZ plane of the design to act as the base for the new body. 4. It is recommended that you click the left or right face of the Viewcube to be able to see how the Quadball should be positioned above the chair frame. Figure 4 5. Click the screen a distance above the top of the frame. If your selection chairdesign_advanced_les proves to be too near or far from the frame, the body can be easily moved son_02_01 to a preferable position.
Exercise 2.b: Edit the Body. 1. Once the Quadball is formed, use the Move tool from the Marking Menu to select it and rotate it 30 to 45 degrees. 2. Rotate your view so the view of the Quadball shows the edges on the side as being nearly vertical and horizontal, as they did before you rotated it. 3. Use the crossing selection window (right to left) to select the faces of the top half of the Quadball. 4. Delete the selected faces. 5. Use Edit Form to make changes to the Body to suit your tastes.
Figure 5 chairdesign_advanced_less on_02_02
Note: Keep in mind that your goal is to create a shape that is complex but can be produced. The shape cannot fold onto itself.
Figure 6 chairdesign_advanced_les son_02_03
8
Lesson 2: Creating an open body concept from a closed primitive | AUTODESK EDUCATION
Exercise 2.c: Thicken the Body. 1. Use the Thicken tool from the Modify pull-down to change the 2D TSpline to a 3D body. Use a thickness of 5mm and set the Thicken Type to soft before clicking OK. 2. Look closely at your model and use Move if need be to make sure that it is not intersecting with the chair frame. Move if necessary. 3. Once the body is in the proper position, click the Finish Form tool in the toolbar to convert the body to a solid, and exit the sculpt Figure 7 workspace.
chairdesign_advanced_lesson_02_04
Exercise 2.d: Connect the seat to the purchased frame. 1. Turn the body you created off in the browsers. 2. Keep the current component active and start a new sketch on one of the mounting pads of the chair frame. 3. Project the profiles of the pads into the sketch and add lines to connect the two front pads together. 4. Do the same for the rear pads. 5. Finish the sketch and start the Extrude tool in the Create pull-down. 6. Select the profiles and use the arrow to stretch the extrusion. Figure 8 7. Turn your seat body back on in the browser. chairdesign_advanced_lesson_02_ 05 8. The display will update to show your extrusion cutting the seat. 9. Switch the Extrusion Operation option to Join and set the extents to All. 10. When the view updates and generates the geometry, click OK to create the mounting system for the seat to the chair frame. Note: If you get no result or a warning, you might have to move the body of the seat up or make sure it is wide enough to be mounted to the chair frame.
Figure 9 chairdesign_advanced_lesson_02_06
11. Add fillets to smooth the edges where the extrusion meets the seat. 12. Change the Appearance override to suit your style.
AUTODESK EDUCATION |Chair Design in Fusion 360
9
Lesson 2 - Creating an open body concept from a closed primitive Review:
Create a T-Spline Quadball Edit the Body Thicken the Body Connect the Seat to the purchased Frame
10
Lesson 2: Creating an open body concept from a closed primitive | AUTODESK EDUCATION
Lesson 3: Exporting Data for 3D Printing Objectives:
Set options for .STL output
Exercise 3.a: Set options for .STL output 1. Right-click on the Body in the Browser and select Save as STL from the context menu. 2. In the Save as STL dialog, click the checkbox to turn on Preview Mesh. 3. Change the Refinement option to a couple of different options on the pulldown, finally selecting Custom. 4. In the Refinement Options change the values for Surface Deviation, Figure 10 Normal Deviation, and Maximum Edge Length to see the effect that it has chairdesign_advanced_less on_03_01 on the number of triangles listed in the dialog. 5. Click OK to open the Save STL dialog. 6. Set a location for saving and a file name. Click Save to create the file.
Lesson 3 – Exporting data for 3D printing
Figure 11 chairdesign_advanced_lesson_ 03_02
Review: Set options for .STL output
AUTODESK EDUCATION |Chair Design in Fusion 360
11
