Fusion 360 Break Down Your Assembly for CAM & Idea Station -Your Comments & Questions -

[@okflyer777]

Thanks again Lars for bringing this desired functionality front and center. I'll definitely keep the work around you demonstrated here in mind, esp if starting a new assembly from scratch. In a large pre-existing assembly (my current situation), the suggested workflow might not be possible due to assembly parent/child dependencies affected by deleting components, then re-linking back in. As you accurately pointed out, the need to separate out components might arise due to multiple setups, fixturing and an abundance of extra sketches required to drive CAM behavior. I found another work around by simply importing the fully linked assembly into a separate new design - calling it "CAM XXXX" and just turning off visibility for all components except those I want shown for that specific CAM operation. I believe this is what Rob was talking about. Not the most elegant work-around but simple & straight-forward and does get the job done. Sorry I missed the live session... had to catch a flight outta town. Vote is in!

[@ScottMoyse]

inserting the whole design into a new design and turning off what you don't want is the best approach at the moment. it would be nice if you could choose which components to bring in when referencing a design into a new one.

[@mat198572]

I like the STL files idea. I got a 3D printer 2 months ago and when I was doing some research about what software I should use to create my own files to print and found that a lot of people are using Fusion 360. I have some experience in sketch up but I found while using Fusion 360 that it is far superior in creating solid objects that are easy to manipulate. I came across your Channel a month ago and watched a lot of your videos and learned a lot from them. So thank you for that.

[@cadcamstuff]

Thank you for taking the time to watch, Matthew. Have an awesome day! Best, Lars

[@MindAkerKnives]

A good way that works for me is in the MODEL work space, right click on the component you want to CAM than click "Isolate", this hides the rest of the assembly. Than go into the CAM work space and Fusion will only select this component for setup. When you're finished CAMing this part, go back into the MODEL work space, right click the component and click "unisolate", the rest of the assembly becomes unhidden and you can do it again to another component. I do the complete assembly this way and keep only one file. Only wish the "isolate" function would work in the CAM work space but if you don't have too big of an assembly you can hide all the components but the one in the tree.

[@MindAkerKnives]

Actually, once you isolate the one component in the MODEL work space, you can hide it and unhide the next component in the CAM work space. No real need to go back into the MODEL work space till you are finished CAMing all the parts and want to unisolate the assembly again.

[@PT1040]

thanks Lars. great info every time

[@drazenkosutic]

Thanks. Vote on Idea Station - done.

[@davebroere9078]

when you create a linked component don't you limit the location where future editing of the component can take place? If I have an assembly, the remove a component and reinsert it into the assembly, I'm thinking the only place for editing that component is now in the new location. This makes it difficult to do future modifications to the component that depend on other components in the assembly. Just wondering if this wouldn't be an overriding issue.

[@cadcamstuff]

Hi Dave, You are right. Now you can only edit the re-inserted component in the new location. My personal opinion to this whole issue is that I don't have a good solution :-). I come from SolidWorks where you can reference files anywhere you want, BUT With great power comes great responsibilities, because as great as that is, I have also seen companies starting completely over on projects that cost them thousands. Because, if references are getting lost, you could have your biggest nightmare on hand.

[@jamesanderson7407]

STL files would be cool, a lot of us 3d printing are using fusion 360

[@brucemcmahon5654]

This is a major issue if Fusion will ever be useful in a commercial environment, a linked component can not be edited in the context of an assembly going against the inherent benefits of parametric modeling. I really like where this is going but it has a long way to go at this point. Please go to Idea Station and vote this feature up.

[@cadcamstuff]

Hi Bruce McMahon Thank you for watching! Link to idea station: forums.autodesk.com/t5/fusion-360-ideastation-request-a/idb-p/125