Bodies vs Components in Fusion 360 Explained - Learn Autodesk Fusion 360 in 30 Days: Day #13

[@ProductDesignOnline]

PLEASE NOTE: Day #13 was intended to be a visual tutorial, not a step-by-step tutorial for the demos that I show. The goal is for you to understand bodies and components and focus on the concepts not how to manipulate them step-by-step. I demo that in future videos. _ *TIMESTAMPS* 0:00 - Bodies vs Components in Fusion 360 2:08 - Bodies explained 3:01 - Components explained 6:15 - Rule #2 of Fusion 360 7:38 - Subassembly explained 9:12 - Rule #1 of Fusion 360

[@partsdave8943]

By far, the best explanation of the differences, and reason for each, that I've found yet! Definitely much more informative. Good job!

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Thanks, Parts Dave! I appreciate the kind words and I'm happy to hear that. Thanks for your continued support! Cheers, Kevin :)

[@ericcsuf]

I've always had trouble with step-by-step tutorials. I can follow all the steps and sometimes even replicate it without looking at the tutorial again, but it never sticks with me. When I attempt building my own models everything falls apart. It happened with Sketchup and Blender for me. The problem is most tutorials don't cover the overall concepts and work flows very well if at all. This video and several of your earlier ones don't fall into that trap. This one, after a couple of viewings a few days apart, helped me finally put together the workflow I need for a moderately complex model of a Morse Code key (left-handed bug for those who know what that means). It was a giant leap for me in making this a useful tool. I think this video is critical to understanding Fusion 360.

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Hi, Ericcsuf. I'm glad to hear that! I will probably start to do some more tutorials that are more "mindset" related... Topics such as what to prepare before even opening Fusion 360... working with more complex assemblies, etc. These all seem to be things that industrial professionals use...but something that always seems to get thrown out when it comes to online content because it's not "flashy" demos of making something. Please don't hesitate to comment on any of my videos should you have any questions. Cheers, Kevin :)

[@ericplante2322]

I made a fantastic job. I continue the course but just wanted to say that. This one clarifies why I had so much problem to convert a body to a component. Thank you.

[@darinwhite5475]

Thanks again, Kevin. Mixing in these "The Way of F360" vids is helpful in understanding the bigger picture. Combined with your step-by-step vids, this is a very effective way to learn Fusion 360. I run a makerspace at a Canadian university and refer all my students to your channel who want to "graduate" from our Tinkercad intro workshops. Your straight-to-the-point and short videos are working for everyone, young/old/experienced/newcomer.

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Hi, Darin. Glad to hear everyone is enjoying the tutorials, including these "Way of F360" ones! Thanks for sharing them at your Makerspace...I really appreciate that. Don't hesitate to send students my way if they have any particular roadblocks with their projects. I'm always interested to see what non-design students come up with! Cheers, Kevin :)

[@robertpaulson2327]

you are a natural teacher. Thank you.

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Thanks, Robert! I appreciate you taking the time to watch and comment. Please don't hesitate to comment on any of my videos should you have any questions. Cheers, Kevin :)

[@piyushpalsania7685]

Thank you Product Design Online ( Kevin ) I have watched this video

[@lebasson]

These explanations and tutorials are RIDICULOUSLY illuminating, bravo!

[@Mr2Xri]

Amazing and so simplified explanation!

[@21807]

I have used other CAD software before and now trying to assembled in Fusion 360. You are the first to answer my major question about Fusion 360 assembly style. It doesn't just work especially when you are working on a project that have up to 50-100 parts to put together. I have worked in a consumer electronics company where you can find BOM running into 100's of parts to assembled. sh***t!

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Hi, Manis. For large assemblies with more than 20 components I would suggest creating sub-assemblies as separate files. You can then right click on the file in your data panel and select "Insert into current design" to insert your sub-assemblies into your main file. This will help you work on certain areas or assemblies without Fusion 360 having to process each component with every move or feature addition. Cheers, Kevin :)

[@amaiauriarte1513]

Great job Kevin. Your explanations and video editing are crystal clear. Many thanks!

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Thanks, Amaia! I appreciate your support :)

[@bobthackery257]

This is an extremely helpful and valuable explanation of these concepts, features and their use. I will need to watch it again and maybe even again as I begin learning to use Fusion 360. I'm stumbling around a bit, picking and choosing which of your many videos to watch next. I haven't figured out how to tell the intended order of viewing this series of videos. Is there a list? Thanks for this informative video. Your talent and skills for explaining how to use Fusion 360 are exemplary.

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Hi, Bob. Glad to hear you're learning a lot so far. You can find the entire 30 Days series in order with my playlist, here - bit.ly/learn-fusion360 Don't hesitate to comment if you run into any roadblocks. Cheers, Kevin :)

[@umitdemir2873]

As a Solidworks and Inventer student at the college, this video let me know the main idea of the difference between Fusion 360 and other drawing programs.

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Thanks, Ümit. Glad you were able to learn the difference. It definitely confuses a lot of people who switch over to Fusion 360 from SolidWorks. Cheers, Kevin :)

[@adityadhobale9361]

Hey Kevin this is Aditya from India. Your videos are very informative and helpful. Thanks for such a wonderful content.

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Thanks, Aditya! Be sure to subscribe to get notified of new ones :)

[@singnwu]

Thanks for sharing this video. This part is very essential for learning.

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Hi, Singn Wu. Glad you enjoyed this one. Don't hesitate to reach out if you run into any roadblocks with Fusion 360. Cheers, Kevin :)

[@stevetheengineer]

Really useful to get this clarity at this stage, would have been too abstract earlier.

[@quantumvortex3942]

Awesome!!! Dude, You the man...!

[@TuniPanea]

This was extremely usefull. Thank you so much!!

[@dinierto]

Thank you, that was very informative! One thing I'm still wondering is, why do you create seperate bodies for parts of the same model? For example in the coffee mug, I would ostensibly just join the handle to the mug and it would all be one body. Why is this a bad idea?

[@robocatstudios]

I know it's been a year since you left this comment, but I just wanted to say, if you re-watch the video you'll find that he actually says to join the bodies for the coffee mug.

[@mytvmetgal1286]

Concept logic very well explained

[@MaxGoddur]

Your understanding of Fusion 360 is amazing. How and where did you gain such insight on a very complicated tool? Also I can't believe you don't have more viewers. Will have to post your link in the communities I belong to.

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Rud Dog - Thanks for watching and for sharing my videos! :) As far as viewers... I think it is partially because of KZbin's algorithm giving a lot of weight to other content/channels that have been around a lot longer (I've only been posting F360 videos for 2 months). With that said, Product Design Online has been steadily picking up traffic and I'll continue to post new vids! I'll give you a brief background as far as how I learned Fusion 360... -2006: I learned Autocad which led me to learn Autodesk Inventor and CREO -2012: I started to study Industrial Design @ The University of Illinois and picked up SolidWorks, which was fairly easy coming from Inventor -2013: I started a SolidWorks User Group, with their support, and started teaching it to the community/students. I met some Autodesk fellows as they were heavily pushing F360 to students around its release. They tried to get me to focus on Fusion instead of Solidworks but at the time F360 was pretty clunky. -2014/16: I started teaching in person F360 and 3D Printing classes to the community/students. I slowly started using F360 more and Solidworks less... somewhere in their switched over. -2018: I missed teaching F360 so I decided to start this KZbin channel! :D

[@helios_ja]

Words of Capt, Mike & Kevin echo: Always create new body/component & name them! Lool

[@WVRetreat]

I like to attach a word to the end to the object that describes what it is, e.g. "left hinge component" or "right hinge component." Another example: "handle body." This way I can quickly tell what the object is. It can be misleading when you copy a body to a component because it still has "body" in the name, so make sure to rename it and add "component" to the end.

[@paulrudman1349]

Helpful video, but I have a question: what is the point of *ever* using bodies? Thanks

[@MaxGoddur]

Testing the fit of a part within Fusion 360. How does one test the fit of a part before 3D printing? For example a hinged box and the pin. Could not help noticing how close this was to the door hinge you show in this video. Is there a way to test the fit of the door hinge pin before creating it?

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Rud Dog - If you're 3D printing the parts then I recommend using the joint tool to create an assembly of the parts (hinge and pin) and make sure that there are .3mm to .5mm for tolerances (depending on your print settings and how accurate your 3D printer is). I like the idea of a hinged box for 3D printing as I've printed those before. Maybe I'll make a video on it ;)

[@mikejarvis9143]

Yo Kev, is the procedure the same for creating components as it is for bodies?

[@karvtek]

I imported an iges file for large parts I need to program and make. I’m having trouble manipulating it for programming purposes. I now assume it’s because they consist of bodies. Hopefully I can convert them after watching this. Thanks.

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Hi, KarvTek LLC - John Bara. Unfortunately, one downside to Fusion 360's file structure is that imported files, such as IGES, take some effort to reorganize. You should be able to group things and put them into components. Make sure that you place any relevant sketches or other features (construction planes, etc) into those components as well. Typically it's easiest to right-click on the bodies in the Fusion 360 browser and select "Create components from Bodies". Then, you can drag the relevant sketches and features into that component. I also suggest renaming all your components as you create them. Good luck and keep me posted with how it goes. Cheers, Kevin :)

[@karvtek]

Thank you for the tips. It’s still being a nightmare.

[@ProductDesignOnline]

​@@karvtek You're welcome. Always happy to help. Keep me posted with how it goes. Cheers, Kevin :)

[@coreyhaugh8013]

How do I get my version to look like yours. My account says I have the latest version and I’ve redownloaded as well.

[@stubz321]

When I "Create Component from Bodies" and then save... when I drag and drop into an assembly it doesn't link the component/part. Do you have a video with more in depth explanation in how to create a single component from multiple bodies so that when that component is used in an assembly it links.... thanks for the help and great video.

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Hi Jacob - I don't currently have a video covering that, but I do plan on making a few more videos on components/assemblies. It's on my to-do list! Thanks again for watching & commenting! Cheers, Kevin :)

[@barisucarsoy]

Hey when we will learn about sclupting? I am trying to make some flying wing aircraft fuselage but I often mess up and it just turns to an ugly play-doh.

[@ProductDesignOnline]

barış uçarsoy - Good Question! I have two beginner lessons on sculpting planned out for Day 21 and Day 22. The interest in sculpting videos has been growing so after this series I will likely start a series solely on sculpting. Thanks for watching! Cheers, Kevin :)

[@barisucarsoy]

Product Design Online that would be very nice

[@kalpitkatpara4363]

we are eagerly waiting for your amazing video series on sculpting. Love your channel and effort you put in to make such quality videos.

[@ProductDesignOnline]

@@kalpitkatpara4363 I will be starting the sculpting series in 2-3 weeks... about Mid November :)

[@jamesbarratt593]

Kevin I think I found something which no one really knows how to do. Seems that way when I search for it on youtube or google. I simply want to move a hole in a body. How does one do that. Got 16 holes and want to move 10mm inwards. Though sketch then dimension and change the figure. Not allowed. Do you know how to move a hole?

[@tintin6892]

Any progress on this one? It was the main reason I was initially turned off of 360...

[@calvin-7540]

Hi, can you make a tutorial video about how to design a aircraft engine fan blade and other types of fan blades

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Hi Vincent. I have one fan blade related tutorial that may be of help - it shows the surface modeling approach. You'll find that here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jJ66pWOLoLF7jNk

[@rbrdly]

I'm going to have to watch this another 8 or 9 times....

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Hi, rbrdly. Did you have a question about bodies vs components? Cheers, Kevin :)

[@rbrdly]

Product Design Online Hi Kevin. Awesome of you to get back to me! No, I just need time to absorb / conceptualise the information. Your tutorials for this series have been fantastic! Thanks for taking the time and following up. You’re very responsive to your viewers. Hats off Sir! Keep up the good work!

[@ProductDesignOnline]

@@rbrdly You're welcome. Thanks for watching...glad to hear you're enjoying it. Please don't hesitate to comment questions on the tutorials as you work through the remainder of the series. Cheers, Kevin :)

[@Mirrikat]

Thanks

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Thank you, L M! I appreciate your support! Apologies for the delayed response :)

[@barrypybas8996]

Have been unable to download your PDF Checklist, have submitted every form found, yet clicking the link to download just runs the user in circles. No accessible PDF file found.

[@paddyovideo]

Hello. Just read your message so decided to try it. First I went to: productdesignonline.com/checklist-for-fusion-360-beginners/ and entered my name and email address. After about 4 minutes, an email arrived with a link to download the pdf. Clicking the link downloaded and opened the .pdf file, no problem. Hope this helps. If not, feel free to post again.

[@gdsapir]

Hi, ​Kevin. Really nice training videos! Sorry to tell the PDF file didn't arrive to my Gmail Inbox as well.

[@pekka8592]

I noticed that if I mirror a component, the mirrored component will NOT update if I make changes to the original one. What should I do? Give up mirroring altogether? Or is there a way that I can mirror components and still have them update?

[@ge2719]

based on this post it seems the only way to do that is to edit the component by going back in the timeline to before you mirrored it. forums.autodesk.com/t5/fusion-360-design-validate/mirrored-component-doesn-t-update-geometry-changes/td-p/6523630 unless you found a better solution?

[@willysnowman]

Why not just design in the parts studio?

[@markhall3323]

👍

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Thanks for watching, Mark! Cheers, Kevin :)

[@marknthetrails7627]

👍✌🖖🥃but that is "shooting yourself in the foot" or "kicking yourself in the ..."(variations) 🤣

[@rubyemmafrank]

Hello

[@raygrauer9626]

hello

[@rubyemmafrank]

@@raygrauer9626 Hola como estas

[@raygrauer9626]

@@rubyemmafrank Muy bien. ¿Cómo estuvo su día? ¿Estás trabajando en tu lámpara? Me gusta éste video.

[@rubyemmafrank]

@@raygrauer9626 Ma journée est belle. Je ne travaille pas sur ma lampe. Je n'aime pas la vidéo.

[@matt309]

Hi

[@hareeshkanagala4974]

I am living in India in Chennai . is there any trading centres in channai...plz tell me bro...........

[@ProductDesignOnline]

What do you mean by trading centers?

[@hareeshkanagala4974]

Hooo sorry bro... Its Training centers

[@ProductDesignOnline]

No worries! It looks like there are a few around you. I'm not sure your exact location, but take a look at this list and you'll see all of the closest "Authorized Training Centers" in and around Chennai - bit.ly/chennai-training-centers

[@lusher00]

more confused than I was before I started...