HOW and WHY to Fully Constrain Your Sketches - Learn Autodesk Fusion 360 in 30 Days: Day #17

How AND Why to Fully Constrain Your Sketches in Fusion 360 // Welcome to Day #17 of Learn Fusion 360 in 30 days. By the end of this tutorial, you’ll have a solid understanding of how to use dimensions AND constraints to fully constrain your sketches. You’ll learn a few dimension tricks, and I’ll explain and demo WHY it’s important to fully constrain your sketches.
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 - How and WHY to fully define sketches
0:43 - Explaining the why
1:25 - Demo Part
2:13 - New Component
3:30 - Automatic Constraints
6:45 - Equal Constraints
9:07 - Fully Constraining Sketches
11:07 - Demo of Bad Practices
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#Fusion360 #ProductDesignOnline

[@ProductDesignOnline]

As promised at the end of the video...follow these sketch tips: In general, you want to try to use as small of a sketch as possible, because a sketch’s history is not captured. The more you use non-sketch tools, the easier it will be to change/edit the features of your model. Complex sketches can also be a pain in the a** to edit. Follow these 3 tips to limit your sketching: 1) Avoid adding fillets to your sketches. Sketch fillets always remove or throw-off constraints and they can cause problems if you want to go back and edit your original sketch. Use 3D fillets instead (you’ll get G2 fillets). 2) Avoid symmetry in the sketch. Similar to fillets, using the mirror sketch feature can affect things if you change dimensions or constraints. Use the 3D mirror feature instead. 3) Avoid patterns in the sketch, as they will duplicate the base feature and all of its constraints. If you want to edit the sketch, later on, you will run into many problems. Plus, the 3D pattern feature(s) will run a lot faster. - *TIMESTAMPS* 0:00 - How and WHY to fully define sketches 0:43 - Explaining the why 1:25 - Demo Part 2:13 - New Component 3:30 - Automatic Constraints 6:45 - Equal Constraints 9:07 - Fully Constraining Sketches 11:07 - Demo of Bad Practices

[@crossthreadaeroindustries8554]

Ok, your tips is actually rock my perspective. Now I get what you mean keep your sketch as simple as possible - just what you need to get back into Create or Modify mode. Have to try this.

[@alvinasandra6233]

thanks bro

[@andrewmorsillo3468]

Why is symmetry in a sketch an issue? What sort of problems do you run into? One of the first things I noticed when watching some of your videos is you sketching things out manually that could easily have been symmetry of another line which confused me a bit.

[@wizardOfRobots]

Super helpful! I realize all this is true after working on my own sketches. symmetry in sketches doesn't work the way you expect it to. if you replace a line or curve in the sketch by deleting and creating a new one, that doesn't get mirrored. btw what's a G2 fillet?

[@piyushpalsania7685]

Thank you Product Design Online ( Kevin ) I have watched this video, these tips are useful i didn't follow all three of them, I would make this a consistent practice to follow making it a good habit for beginner

[@baconsledge]

This series of videos is excellent. Explains not only how to do something but "why"... which really is the key to understanding!

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Thanks, Bob! I'm happy to hear you're enjoying the series. Please don't hesitate to comment on any of my videos should you have any questions. Cheers, Kevin :)

[@darinwhite5475]

If I had a time machine, I would take this video back to myself when I started learning Fusion. Two things that drove me nuts: #1 the auto-applied constraints preventing me from moving items or changing their shape and #2 constantly getting the "overconstrained" warning and not really knowing what the hell that meant or why it was happening. Thanks Kevin.

[@ProductDesignOnline]

When I used to teach in-person Fusion 360 classes I found that this concept really tripped up new users. Particularly, if they had no prior knowledge of any CAD program (basic features such as Extrude, sweep, etc). That is why I placed the concept later on in this series. However, I can definitely see that someone with more CAD experience (of software experience in general) would want/need to know this earlier on in their journey of Fusion 360. Nonetheless, I'm glad that you've got the concept now...better late than never ;) The warning messages are pretty cryptic in Fusion 360 so I feel your frustration with the common overconstrained warning. Cheers, Kevin :)

[@jardimmachinetools9225]

This was by far my most important video. Your videos are BRILLIANT!! you sir are a legend

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Thanks, Jardim Machine Tools. I'm happy to hear you enjoyed this one.Constraining sketches is definitely important!! Cheers, Kevin :)

[@rianstriegel5506]

Via the Modify Icon in the toolbar with the "Change Parameters" option you can change the names of dimensions like d1, d2 etc. into more useful and descriptive names, much like using "User Parameters" but driven from the dimensions you entered. All references to the original name will also change. In your example changing the d1 into Size, will make the formula in the Circle diameter change in Size/2. Maybe helpful in a complex sketch.

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Rian Striegel - Thanks for sharing this awesome tip with the community! Cheers, Kevin :)

[@crashkg]

This tip is fantastic. I was spending so much time pre entering and naming parameters. Now I can just sketch and rename, dimension, and constrain later. Now if you could just tell me how to copy parameters to another Fusion Model.

[@leroycasterline1122]

@@crashkg Check the store for a free Add-In called 'ParameterIO'. It allows you to save all parameters to a CSV file, which you can then (edit as desired) and import them.

[@cdhego]

Brilliant! I just started my learning and have gone through 19 videos in 3 days till now. Thanks!

[@barrysimon3823]

This is an excellent course. I’m completely new to 3d modeling and this has brought me up to speed very quickly by demonstrating not only the “how”, but even more importantly the “why”.

[@deanroadifer6013]

I especially like all the small tips like showing where to find what each constraint is. There is so much going on it is nice to know that we need to look at the whole screen to find some of the features.

[@thecompound7354]

Another Great Video! Working my way through the series and really enjoying it. Thank you for your content!

[@doc-holiday]

i have to admit Kevin videos are so well explained and so easy to understand. Very rarely do we find a KZbinr like Kevin who has the talent to teach other in such a simple way.

[@shannonmcneill4019]

Fantastic! Truly. Thanks Kevin.

[@bikepacker9850]

Awesome Awesome Awesome. Thank you Kevin.

[@johnx9318]

Very useful, thanks.

[@christillier8083]

Precious!!! Thank you Kevin.

[@hancastle604]

Really like your videos, it's so helpful for beginner like me!

[@shaileshgupta4506]

Very nicely explained, with all doubts coming on the way of learning. I had joined a class and now i am following you Sir. THANKS

[@RCwithAdam1]

Dude this is so great! Thanks Kevin!

[@andywang6918]

You are such am amazing teacher. Your lesson plans are so inspiring. You ask so many good questions and answers them comprehensively without overwhelming the students. I hope you are a teacher in real life, because you are talented at teaching.

[@ProductDesignOnline]

I used to teach in-person classes to college students/community members. I started the YT channel as a way to reach more people :)

[@skrebneveugene5918]

Best fusion360 tutorisls on KZbin

[@LeRiderOP]

Kevin... I have been following your class for almost a month ( not regularly, work calls 😅) I am getting the hang of designing. I never learned any cad software prior to this & you made fusion 360 a fun yet powerful software to learn. Thanks a lot..!!

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Thanks! Keep going :)

[@quantumvortex3942]

Dude, your series is helping me get up and running a LOT. Also loved the tips in the comments, also extremely helpful Also... Your teaching style is superb! Great job!!!

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Thanks! Happy learning :)

[@Spasmomen]

Using functions in dimensions was a great tip!

[@MarcoComparato]

Just waiting the next one, thank you sir.

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Marco - Thanks for watching! Cheers, Kevin :)

[@Graham1904]

Well done.

[@henrybecker2842]

Thanks!

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Thanks for your support, Henry! I appreciate it :)

[@matheusmayer2141]

kevin, you rock

[@johnf4388]

Very informative, thank you!

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Thanks, Tesla 5869! I appreciate your continued support. Cheers, Kevin :)

[@johnf4388]

@@ProductDesignOnline you're welcome, you deserve it. I'm working on a project and thanks to you im starting to learn 3D which i had 0 experience before and im able to continue the project! I will definitely follow you and subscribe on patreon, its the least i can do.

[@jamesbarratt593]

Yeah I did learn something. Fantastic job. Cheers. Oh more surface modelling please and try to do that mask. tx

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Thanks, James. Glad you learned something in this one. Cheers, Kevin :)

[@mayurahuja817]

Your tutorials are veryyyy amazing, thank you very very much for the efforts & time that you have put to make these videos... I do not have much to offer, but if anytime you plan to visit, Mumbai_(India), I would love to host you.

[@jackgringlas5782]

Hi Kevin, really cool working my way through, I really like the logical sequence of your lessons, thanks

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Thanks, Jack! I'm happy to hear you're finding my tutorials useful! What are you planning on using Fusion 360 for the most?? (i.e. 3d printing, woodworking, product design, etc) Cheers, Kevin :)

[@jackgringlas5782]

I am currently building a model train set. I have access to a friends 3D printer. I plan to use F360 to 3D print scenery like mountains with tunnels etc.

[@ProductDesignOnline]

That sounds great! You'll have to post some pictures as you get some parts printed and everything put together. I'm assuming you'll be doing some post-processing to models....painting them to look more realistic?

[@helios_ja]

Excel strikes again thanks for this amazing video Kevin

[@tomparker5993]

Thanks for doing this series! As a hobbyist, this has been really helpful. One question regarding functions, though. In a design with many dimensions, If a function is used, does F360 have a way to easily find which dimension is referenced in the function?

[@samarthk4130]

Your videos honestly deserve awards! The amount of work you put into them is visible.

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Thanks, Sam! 😎

[@samarthk4130]

aaand a reply within two minutes. I'm not even done watching the video yet! crazy dedication.

[@boboscurse4130]

fx = VERY COOL!!!

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Functions can be a huge timesaver while building models or revisiting former models. Cheers, Kevin :)

[@lowellalleman]

The tip at 4:01 was so helpful! How did I miss that!?! Thanks!

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Not your fault... most people do as it's hidden down there :)

[@yorkshiresfinestpair]

Agree.. i never knew this.. :)

[@VE4NSA]

This video should really be the 1st in the series

[@erickillian8470]

The answer to this question may be too long, but I was curious on why it is recommended to start every sketch at the origin point? Or do you mean starting every file aka the first sketch of the model? Thanks!

[@themrc81]

Nice videos! I’m a Rhino and T-Spline user and I’m passing to fusion due to it’s parametric structure, are you going to explain surfaces in deep and sculpt as well? I’m in a little trouble with fusion surfacing, it looks a little bit limited compared to Rhino but not sure as I am not familiar with commands yet. Thanks!

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Marco Malfatti - I am going to start covering sculpt and some surfacing modeling, but you are correct... Fusion 360 is somewhat limited in surface modeling if you compare it to Rhino. I'm planning on doing a few very basic sculpting videos near day 21-22 of this series. Then, after that, I'll be doing a new series entirely on sculpting. Cheers, Kevin :)

[@simplyamazingwood1505]

Can you help me with a problem I have with a Center point Rectangle 470 x 235 x 12mm. If I change the length to 600 for example, the extra 130mm gets added to the right hand side and not equally to both sides. I'm building a box and the base changes as it should when I change the length, and so does the front but the front gets the extra length added to one side.

[@onoskain]

Again, great and easy to understand. Not sure if this is the best place to ask, but I was wandering. How should I reference stuff between sketches? Let's say i want to make piramid using loft where height is half of width of the base. All I can think of is to create user parameter, create base sketch, set width to my parameter, create offset plane with width/2 offset, create another sketch with single point to loft to (or perpendicular sketch with line set to width/2). Is this the way or am I overcomplicating this? Any other way to make sketches dependent on each other? edit: nvm, I think Day #19 answered my question :P

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Hi, Onos. That's correct - a combination of user parameters and formulas are ideal. The other option, which can be used in addition with the former, is to use the "Project' sketch feature. Projected sketches keep their relationship to the original, making things update in both places when the original is changed. Cheers, Kevin :)

[@user-yz5ui7bg3h]

I don't have the constrain options in the sketch palette. Did autodesk remove it in the latest versions?

[@71bagarn]

Yeah thats all fine and dandy, but if i want the top part of m washer to be 110mm and the bottom 100mm , IE an Isosceles trapezoid?

[@mdlrcase245]

Hi Kevin, we spoke via Facebook already-:) I do have a question/problem. I’m having a DXF file which i need to constrain but it’s without any measures. How do you do this?

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Hi MDLRCASE. I'm assuming you are importing a DXF file that was created in another program? If that is the case then you will want to make sure you go to the "Insert" dropdown menu in the model workspace and select "Insert DXF." This feature will allow you to select a plane and it will let you choose if you want it to be placed in one single sketch or multiple sketches. Then, you'll be able to double click on the sketch(es) in the timeline which will open them up. Once open, you'll be able to add dimensions (keyboard shortcut letter "D") or constraints. Please note: If you import the DXF file by "uploading" it to your data panel, then Fusion 360 will not let you dimension it. This is because it treats your DXF file as a "base feature" and not sketch entities. Hope this helps! Cheers, Kevin :)

[@berniewasserman265]

I have been watching your tutorials and I find them very useful. I have a question that I need a solution for. I would like to create a waving flag with a logo / svg on it. I have watch many videos and tried a number of options but none seam to allow me to either take a solid body and let it follow a curved path. I could either use the soldid body or svg to add to a waving surface but I have not found a suitable method. This might be a useful tutorial. Thank you

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Bernie Wasserman - Thanks for the kind words and for watching & commenting! 🙂 I want to make sure I'm understanding you fully so I can give you the best advice. What is the end goal of your flag? something to 3d print? CNC? Is this going to be 2D (with a set thickness) or a 3D dimensional wave/curve? My initial thought is that you should use the loft feature and follow along a spline (curved path). If you're able to give me a link to some references image(s) then I can give you a lot more pointers on where to start with this. Cheers, Kevin :)

[@berniewasserman265]

The flag will be 3d printed. It is for my son for use in Warhammer. I am looking to create the flag so it looks realistic. I have tried a few techniques but they are really difficult, at least for me. I have the logo and canncreate a curved back drop but ensuring the logo is embossed equally, on both sides, is a challenge.

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Bernie - Thanks for the additional info! If you're looking to emboss on both sides you could create a midplane, place your logo on it, and then use the press pull feature. I do something similar in Day #7 (kzbin.info/www/bejne/m4e1lX6ghtppptE) with the handlebar grip. Instead of the text that I placed, use your logo... then you can have the press-pull/extrude be multidirectional and go out both ways. If you need additional help then feel free to share your file here and I can take a look. Cheers, Kevin :)

[@frankcaballero2822]

Good Lord! get to changing the line from blue to black already! We're at the 9 min mark and your just getting to it!

[@allenpitts9653]

This excellent video has been torpedoed by AutoDesk who has changed the UI in F360 so much that Mr. Kennedy’s tutorial canno longer be used.

[@ProductDesignOnline]

I'll have to make an updated version in '23 as this has been getting a lot of questions lately.

[@jamesdufrene3572]

I traced an image with 3 pt arcs. I cannot get the sketch fully constrained (turn the lines black or the red lock on the sketch under the browser). The image was all curves. stuck, please help.

[@craftbrewer5401]

I followed along the video, but can't change the dimension by clicking the d1 and d2, after the square is fully defined. Is this done differently in the newer version of Fusion 360 ?

[@craftbrewer5401]

Solved. Its a double click.

[@bobthackery257]

Am I right that the only way to tell if you have any detail in a sketch fully constrained is that it's black rather than blue? If so, is there a way to identify the constraints that are currently being used on a given detail in a sketch, similarly is there any way to identify which constraints are currently applied to a given detail in a sketch. All the constraints that are automatically assigned when I create circles, squares, polygons etc are overwhelming in some cases. I've received warnings of over constraining a detail, but I'm not sure how to tell why the constraint I'm trying to add will over constrain the detail. Your tutorials regarding constraints have been very helpful.

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Hi, Bob. These are all great questions. That is correct that the only way to tell if individual parts of sketch geometry are constrained is by the color (black is constrained, blue is not). If your entire sketch is constrained then the sketch will have a "lock" icon next to it in the Browser. As far as the automatic constraints and warning messages - While there is no option to turn off or disable the creation of automatic sketch constraints, you may avoid them by holding the CTRL key (CMD on Mac OS). As far as seeing a list of constraints - Unofunretly, there is not yet a way to do this within the Fusion 360 app. This has been on the ideaStation forum for quite some time (with many votes). However, it is available on the Browser version of Fusion 360. Within your Fusion 360 app go to the File menu > View Details on Web (or access file from the A360 hub on your web browser) > Click "Edit in Browser" button. Toggle open your sketches folder and there will be a constraints folder which contains all of the available constraints, as so - snipboard.io/xvXcbu.jpg Selecting any of the constraints from the list will highlight them in the Canvas window, which should (hopefully) find the one you're looking for. Let me know if I didn't answer anything. Cheers, Kevin :)

[@grummzaire]

Is there a way to constrain a spline curve? As far as I can tell there is not. I have irregularly-shaped spline curves that I would like to be able to easily scale up and down, but when I tried scaling the sketch it completely messed up all the spline angles and curves, it was a mess. I need to be able to do this quickly and easily so I can draw complex shapes and extrude them for 3D printing at different sizes - but the shape wall always needs to be 0.8mm thick. Any tips?

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Hi, Johnathan. Great question! Are you using Fit Point Splines or Control Point Splines? You can dimension and constrain the control points with control point splines and you can dimension and constrain the points in fit point splines. With that said, it is often hard to truly" fully constrain" splines completely. Have you tried using the "Sketch Scale" tool? Sounds like this tool may work well for you. You can scale your entire sketch in unison, based on a scale factor. Then, your extrusion dimension of 0.8mm thick would remain the same. Cheers, Kevin :)

[@grummzaire]

@@ProductDesignOnline I did try Sketch Scale but the result massively distorted the shape. After some thought, I might know what's wrong - I selected the line itself to scale, but not the control points, at least not manually. I'll have to try it again to see if I can make it work right.

[@ProductDesignOnline]

@@grummzaire That could be why. Try clicking and dragging over the entire sketch to select everything. See if that helps it scale better. Let me know how it goes! Cheers, Kevin :)

[@JustinG85]

Is there a way to change the line colors? I am color blind and can't easily tell if it's blue or black

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Justin - Unfortunately there is currently no way to change the line colors in Fusion 360. The colors are based on the environment you work in. As a workaround (until Fusion 360 implements the ability to change) you can change the visual style of your workspace in the display settings located at the bottom of the screen. Some of the visual settings may help you better decipher the different types of lines. I will submit to the Fusion 360 team a recommendation to be able to change the colors of lines. Cheers, Kevin :)

[@funrover90]

What would be a reason not to? @8:51?

[@ProductDesignOnline]

There aren't many... But there may be some outlier cases where you need to dimension from the origin or create a sketch in a different way, based on the rest of the assembly. Oftentimes it's a result of other bad practices.

[@funrover90]

@@ProductDesignOnline Perfect, thanks Kevin. Your support is second to none!

[@ProductDesignOnline]

@@funrover90 happy to help! :)

[@andywang6918]

14:17 "It can really suck....." (WHAT? Kevin is being unprofessional?) "........ up a lot of time and cause a lot of problem if you don't plan ahead" (Oh...... that make sense......)

[@andyh8239]

Once you extrude a sketch, it becomes a Body - how do you define / constrain a body?

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Bodies will always be dependent on the sketch used to create them. Are you asking how to move/position bodies in relation to other bodies? If so, you would want to use Components to 'group' your bodies...in which you can then use Fusion 360's Joints to position them. Check out this lesson: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qmWUgqCHqN-WmKc

[@andyh8239]

@@ProductDesignOnline I'm new to 360 - I'm trying to model a 3D part, but once you extrude a shape, you lose a lot of the dimensioning capabilities. (User Sketch parameters still work i.e. myvariable_height - x) Another frustration is if you were to for example draw 3 different size circles all with the same center; if you extrude two adjacent circles by the same amount - the plane becomes bonded forcing you to build a construction circle on plane to build atop. I'm sure it will eventually make more sense to me, but between that and being blocked from copying a constructed component leaves me bewildered.

[@andyh8239]

@@ProductDesignOnline Example frustration: Construct a center point rectangle with a 1:3 ratio Construct another +20mm (each end) Construct another +10mm (of the largest again on each end) Extrude the inner shell + 4mm (leaving the center a void) Now extrude the outer +4.5mm upward and .5mm downward Imagine this to accept a 0.5mm piece of sheet metal on each side. If I wanted to model the sheet metal - I can't copy the inner - nor do I understand if I should be declaring these /components/ or /assemblies etc... Continuing to model on this gets confusing as it is no longer easy to re-dimension the extrusions.

[@andyh8239]

(and actually - create - offset - produced a copy.... but move copy does not lol) I don't get it :)

[@barrysimon3823]

Thanks!

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Thank you, Barry! I appreciate your support :)

[@123kkambiz]

As before great tutorial for beginners.

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Hi, 123kkambiz. As always, I appreciate you taking the time to watch and comment. Cheers, Kevin :)

[@bushkillrealty1817]

Thanks!

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Thanks for your support, Bushkill! Sorry I'm just seeing this - appreciate you :)

[@markandrewsmall3984]

Thanks!

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Appreciate your support, Mark! Apologies for the delayed response :)

[@fredmoon2487]

Thanks!

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Thanks for your support! 🙂