Modeling with T-Splines in Fusion 360 (2021)

T-Splines in Fusion 360 offer a unique "free form" approach to modeling. T-Splines in conjunction with Solid and Surface modeling are what make Fusion 360 so unique - the ability to model with 3 types in one software package.
This introduction to T-splines will teach you everything you need to know to get started - including best practices, common workflows, and a simple practice object.
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0:00 - Intro to T-splines in Fusion 360
0:30 - What type of modeling is Fusion 360?
2:02 - How to start a T-spline model in Fusion 360
6:30 - What are T-splines?
7:21 - NURBS vs T-splines explained
9:00 - Subdividing T-spline faces in Fusion 360
10:45 - Using symmetry with Fusion 360 t-splines
13:00 - How to edit T-splines in Fusion 360
14:20 - Does Finish Form make a Surface or Solid?
15:08 - Extruding T-spline faces Fusion 360
16:34 - Fill Hole in Fusion 360 T-splines
17:10 - Fusion 360 T-spline selection filters
18:42 - Finishing a T-spline body with Solid tools
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Disclaimer:
This video description may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a small commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you.
This video is sponsored by Thangs.com
#Fusion360 #ProductDesignOnline

[@ProductDesignOnline]

*FREE DOWNLOAD* - Get the Jack-O-Lantern STL file: bit.ly/jackolanternSTL

[@GoblinBlaster3000]

Knowing that holding Alt down to do an extrude is such a game changer for me. The only other modeling software I've used was Maya in school so I'm used to extruding faces and offsetting faces to create things. This was a super useful tutorial

[@jamesrguk]

This was another great tutorial. I subsequently designed my own pumpkin and now my friends have been emailing me their children's pumpkin face drawings. I import as a canvas on an offset plane and then create a sketch over the top and extrude/cut then 3D print them. Bespoke pumpkins! They look great in white PLA with a battery powered nightlight in Digital pumpkin carving is now actually a reality!

[@AthanCondax]

Great tutorial as always! I've gotten very comfortable with solid modelling over the last few months but have always steered clear of form and surface modeling. I especially liked the tip where you used a surface to create a thickened cut in the model.

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Thanks, Athan! Glad to hear you're getting comfortable with solid modeling. Definitely give T-splines a try sometime... They can be fun to play around with :)

[@keanorobotics9219]

Great tutorial Kevin. I have always find free form modelling a little difficult to grasp but I learned a lot from your tutorial. Keep it up

[@michaelzimmer4850]

Such a great video man. I know it's a couple years old but it's exactly where I'm at with my skills. Thanks and keep'em coming!

[@billyfrank6318]

Great video Kevin, Thank You!... Looking forward to more videos on sculpt and surfacing and appreciate you doing these for us!

[@ndcapper]

Great video! Helped me understand forms and how it is used in the overall modeling concept with surface and solid.

[@drbishy_hao]

Thanks Kevin for sharing good tips and tricks on T Spline body...want to see more

[@kslong29]

I love this guy's videos, easy to understand and learn from. His voice so reminds me of John Bunnell from Wildest Police Chases... So hold on tight, the action starts now!

[@winstoncooper8647]

Wowow dude!! Thanks!! Your sooo clear in your details!! Your helping me fill in all the gaps in areas I wasn't sure or didn't understand!!

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Glad to hear that, Winston! Happy learning :)

[@ronzoot602]

Great to be able to watch it in 4K. And thanks again for this explanation.

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Trying to make all the new content in 4K now :)

[@F2_CPB]

1:45 I always used to think they removed it from free version. Now I know how to access it thanks!

[@gonzabouchet]

You make things seem so easy! I love your videos

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Thanks! Appreciate it, Gonzalo :)

[@AsimAntuleVlogs]

Thank you so much for such a detailed tutorial, it really helped. God bless you.❤

[@IceCreams62]

Great video Kevin. Thanks a lot for your effort :-)

[@TobiPHartmann]

That was what iam looking for Thanks for sharing your knowledge dude

[@piyushpalsania7685]

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

[@salilhegiste_live]

Cool and awesome video buddy thanks for sharing, Keep posting!

[@JoeStanfordDoughty]

Thank you so much, I understood everything and enjoyed the tutorial

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Awesome, glad to hear that, Joe!

[@CraigHollabaugh]

Wonderful video. I definitely need to now watch your form videos. Also added you to my Patreon support list. Thanks.

[@ProductDesignOnline]

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

[@valveman12]

Thanks for this video... I learned a lot and now subscribed.😁

[@ArnoldRowntreeTeachesFusion360]

Thanks Kevin, I've been looking for an intro like this to T-splines. It looks like it'll be a great set of tools (when I get good at it) for designing ceramics.

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Very cool! what type of ceramic objects do you make?

[@ArnoldRowntreeTeachesFusion360]

Classical vessel shapes, wheel thrown up til now, but now CNC milled patterns will open up some mould making possibilities. I hope to have fine control over the forms by means of these T-splines.

[@jamiethomas18]

Another great tutorial. Thank you.

[@fastcomputer5927]

Just subscribed to your channel. I find your videos very helpful for me, because I'm trying to design a custom gaming mouse.

[@danefarmer1549]

you make some awesome tutorials!

[@kmurugan7414]

Its really good demo

[@67kadon]

Great videos for someone new. When I do circular symmetry and click a face the others do not light up and i don't get the sided option? Would appreciate any help, thank you.

[@sergiocarreiras5328]

Great Tutorial! Thre is any way to use UV texture map from a obj file to t-Splines?

[@fmorocz]

Kevin great super class!. Very profesdional as always.. if it's possible for more classes in this field of design. Because few people know as you. Thanks 👍

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Thanks, Francisco! I'll definitely be doing more intermediate and advanced T-spline tutorials at some point :)

[@pauldavidson317]

awesome. Thanks!

[@manricobaldeschi8057]

Veramente interessante , grazie.

[@kajpaget3180]

Great vid❤❤❤❤

[@elscientifiko6142]

Thank You So much

[@summerofplastic1392]

Me this week: Hmm I wonder how you’d 3D model a pumpkin... Kevin: In my next episode I will show you how to model a pumpkin Thanks!

[@ProductDesignOnline]

haha :)

[@JasRose_]

This is very cool i like pumpkins

[@Shabazza84]

Can you also return to the form editor later, when "Direct Modelling" is turned on?

[@Luis-mdv]

Thank youuu!

[@andybarnett4060]

BANG! Consider my mind blown...

[@TheDistantDancer]

Very useful, but not what I was looking for. You kind of touch my problem 19 min in when you cut out the pumpkins face. Would it be possible in any way to cut towards the center axis of the pumpkin? So that each cut surface became perpendicular to the shell? (Sure, would not be perpendicular due to the ripples, but say it would be an apple instead) Would really help me if possible! I have already established that you can not simply cut "to object" and then select an axis, unfortunately. (Is aware of the "tapper angle" option, but it angles towards a point, not an axis) Thanks

[@user-eq6nn5dy8b]

as usual good tutorial. however I'm having issues with the modification of the stem. when I try to modify it just unravels and then ends on the original position. what am I doing wrong?

[@jkiry]

Thanks!

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Thanks for your support! I appreciate you!

[@claudiasurrage8534]

Great vid! how would you keep the edges of the ridges sharp rather than softened?

[@claudiasurrage8534]

Just figured it out! I used the crease tool

[@antonkieser4585]

Hi there I have just tried my fusion 360 in the form space and when I extrude my sketch I don't see the actual T-splines except if I hover the mouse over it. It only highlights the face or spline that the mouse is over .... is there a setting the turns them on and off ? Ps: love the videos they are super helpful . Regards Anton

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Hi Anton. It sound like you need to change your visual style option to Shaded. This forum post may help - forums.autodesk.com/t5/fusion-360-support/t-splines-don-t-show-up/td-p/7371793

[@bubbat5249]

Great video, however, i keep running into a problem. When i thicken it, a get an "Intersect" error. How do i fix this?

[@EnergySeeker]

good video , for 3d print do we use the 3 types or only solid ?

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Hi Amir. Great question! You would need a solid model to 3D print. Technically, if you export a Surface model it will be "infinitely" thin, so there is nothing to print. However, that is why surfaces and t-splines are/can be converted into solid bodies :)

[@EnergySeeker]

@@ProductDesignOnline thanks a lot

[@xl000]

Can you define an exact sphere or sphere segment with a T-Spline ? It looks like it's just a NURBS with a well chosen knot sequence. Don't answer if you don' t actually what a knot sequence / vector is in the context of NURBS

[@jasonwoody8041]

Old video but great information

[@AmanSingh-hl6ib]

I am not getting any finish form option in my form space...how to turn my form into hollow-solid?

[@MH-ce2io]

First Class

[@Rick-pi9zn]

how did you came up with the idea of doing a pumpkin? just THE perfect usecase for tsplines!

[@ProductDesignOnline]

The original video was created close to Halloween 😂

[@johnbais8866]

Great video! Is there a way to go back and change the value of the thicken from 18min in the video? Lets say after printing you realize 4 mm would have been preferred over 3mm

[@ProductDesignOnline]

If you use the Thicken command in the Solid Tab you will be able to edit at any time by double-clicking on the Thicken feature in the parametric timeline (bottom of Fusion 360). If you use the T-spline (sculpt/form) thicken command you will not be able to edit the thickness unless you change the T-spline geometry by editing the T-spline body (double-click on the purple Form icon in your timeline).

[@johnbais8866]

@@ProductDesignOnline Awesome thank you

[@GreyWolfLeather]

Great video, thanks for all your assistance with Fusion. I had a question off topic to this discussion. I am currently utilizing the software to make templates and stitching lines for leather patterns. What would be the best way about making stitching holes across a curve or an arc, without extruding the model? Or if the only way is extruding (god my PC hates it) is there a way after to flatten the model back to just a sketch mode and keep those spaced holes? I've found the software much easier to utilize in its 2D form for template purposes. Thanks!

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Hi Michael. There are a few things you could try. First, you can right-click on any feature in the timeline and "suppress" it while you're not needing it/actively working on it. That should help with any latency issues. You could also try using the Surface Extrude command. Surface tools make infinitely thing surfaces. You'll essentially have an outline where all your slots/holes are, and the speed shouldn't be affected at all. You could take that into the Drawing workspace to get a DXF or PDF for your template.

[@GreyWolfLeather]

@@ProductDesignOnline You my friend are a @#$#@$#@ genius. Both helped immensely, thanks!!!!!

[@ProductDesignOnline]

@@GreyWolfLeather Glad that helped :)

[@GreyWolfLeather]

@@ProductDesignOnline So one issue I do have using that feature, is when I use design > drawing from design and drop it in, none of the holes I placed along the radius populate and I get the following dialog box - Mesh, T-Spline and surface bodies will not be included in the drawing.

[@ProductDesignOnline]

@@GreyWolfLeather you can use the modeling thicking command to thicken them to .01mm or some arbitrary small number. They'll then technically be solid bodies and should show up. If you're doing that as a last step it shouldn't hinder the performance.

[@IronMountainAxeandTool]

I really appreciate the tutorials! I am having an issue trying to tilt the stem though. When I select the top portion of the stem and edit form, it doesn't allow me to tilt or reposition the stem, it only twists it, opens what i thought was a closed hole on top, and or extrudes the stem. lots of twisting....any help is welcome

[@vyngoco3495]

Yeah, I was in the same problem with you. The reason is that you didn't clear symmetry beforehand, since reposition the stem is an asymmetrical action

[@RogueCow]

@@vyngoco3495 Thanks! I ran into this same issue!

[@HerrSalat]

Can you recommend a hardware configuration for fusion 360? (Laptop)

[@ProductDesignOnline]

I have some recommendations here - productdesignonline.com/fusion-360-users-what-to-buy/ I would buy your computer with a "holistic" approach, considering all the other use cases as well. All in, Fusion 360 is not as resource intensive as other programs may be. As long as you meet F360's "minimum requirements" you will be fine and shouldn't experience issues with the program - productdesignonline.com/tips-and-tricks/system-requirements-for-autodesk-fusion-360/

[@rrrripbing]

Is this for the old version of Fusion 360? The latest version doesn't have the Form tab. Also the revolve command seems to work differently.

[@ProductDesignOnline]

You have to select the purple "Form" icon in the SOLID tab to enter the Form contextual environment.

[@sparkzynr5543]

In your perspective which software is complete in itself in terms of all the Cad operations?

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Fusion 360 is really the only one that is 'robust' in terms of a variety of modeling types. Most CAD packages include only 1-2 types of modeling, not the 4 that Fusion 360 supports. That said, Fusion 360 is a general CAD package that is not trying to be specific to one single industry. There are often niche CAD packages that can solves important needs per industry. What are you using trying to achieve?

[@sparkzynr5543]

@@ProductDesignOnline sir i am looking forward to design exterior design of vehicles. My friend told me to learn rhino/alias as it offers a vast handling on the model. What do you think? That's why i am asking you. I just want to stick on 1 software and conquer it but sometimes i question myself is this enough for everything....

[@ProductDesignOnline]

You can certainly do vehicles in Fusion 360 with surfaces and or T-splinse. That said, you will find more resources or learning content for Rhino and Alias for vehicles, because it as been used for that longer. At the end of the day, it will require a very similar skillset so you should choose whichever program you feel more comfortable with :)

[@thestralsound]

Late arrival, and maybe a bit of a lackluster question - when I create a form body/surface I can't see the lines separating individual faces. Haven't been able to find a setting to change this - any advice?

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Go to your Display Settings (computer icon at the bottom) > Visual Style > switch it to "Shaded with Visible Edges Only" (I bet yours is set to "Shaded")

[@thestralsound]

@@ProductDesignOnline You would be right. Much appreciated

[@bobsteven2363]

Interesting, it’s basically 3d modeling with subdiv but you can make the ugliest booleans with no worries. I wonder if you could import an obj and convert it into a spline model so that you can do Boolean and fillet operations on it

[@ProductDesignOnline]

You can! Using the newer 'Convert Mesh' tool in the Mesh tab. However, the conversion to T-splines is (unfortunately) only available through the Product Design Extension (as of writing this, anyway).

[@anthonyfoster4804]

When I right click on the face I don't get the edit form buttons. I am using the free version, could that be why?

[@ProductDesignOnline]

All T-spline features are available in the free version. You can also access the "Edit Form" tool in the toolbar, followed by selecting the faces.

[@4funrc11]

🎃 Boo! 👍 Thx! 😃

[@RobinhoodCoins]

I think your link to the Prusa3d may be broken, I’ve tried on two computers and get an error message. I’ve been researching 3D machines so I was curious about your recommendation

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Strange. It works on my end, but I'll look into it. Here's the long/direct link, hopefully, that works - shop.prusa3d.com/en/3d-printers/180-original-prusa-i3-mk3s-kit.html#a_aid=pdo The original Prusa mk3 i3 kit is what I recommend if it's in your budget. They also have a new mini version (cheaper) but the build plate is smaller. Feel free to join my Discord if you have more questions. I try to answer things there :)

[@RobinhoodCoins]

@@ProductDesignOnline thank you, that link worked, I will try to join the discord, haven’t used it much but I’ll give it another go

[@ProductDesignOnline]

@@RobinhoodCoins Sounds good. Here's the discord link - bit.ly/PDO-Discord

[@RobinhoodCoins]

@@ProductDesignOnline maybe it was just the firewall at work blocking it

[@ProductDesignOnline]

@@RobinhoodCoins ah, that could be! anyway, thanks for the heads up... I'll try to keep an eye on it... I do occasional mess up the links :)

[@MusicMan9018]

Hmm... I cut the lid from the body like you did with the surface, and it successfully created two separate bodies, but when I look at a cross section it doesn't look like there is any clearance. The lid is still flush with the body...

[@MusicMan9018]

Update: I figured it out. You actually didn't do it correctly in this video. After making the surface into a solid body and using it as a splitting tool, you need to select both side of the tool in order to actually make a clearance gap. Then you can delete both the tool and the "in between ring" that is occupying the clearance gap. I think this is what you meant to do since, in the video, you said to remove the bodies (plural) where in the actual video you only removed one.

[@MusicMan9018]

That said, thanks for the video! Super helpful and I learned tons!

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Thanks! Glad to see you got it sorted out... just catching up on comments and apologize I didn't see this earlier :)

[@skurt21]

Great tutorial...almost for my level of dumb :) I got stuck on the stamp. I poke around with the upper ring, pressing CTRL, pressing Alt, dragging free, dragging up...nothing makes any difference and in all combinations it basically does one thing - widens the ring a tiny little bit. Any ideas what I could have missed?

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Hi Jan - are you on Mac or Windows?? One of the modifier keys should 'Extrude' faces when dragging the arrow. Something doesn't sound right :)

[@skurt21]

@@ProductDesignOnline Hi,it's Windows. U eventually made it...the problem is...I'm not sure how 😀

[@ProductDesignOnline]

@@skurt21 lol. Glad to hear you made it. Wish I could provide more help but hard to say without seeing it :)

[@skurt21]

@@ProductDesignOnline i know. Thank you for the effort 👍

[@Droanly]

Very strange double clicking the adjacent face does not select all faces on Windows you have to double click the adjacent lower face for that to work. Drove me nuts until I figured it out. No idea if that was in an update or difference between MAC and Windows.

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Hi Eric. Thanks for sharing - I wasn't aware of that. I'll have to look into this as it's been a while since I've ran F360 on Windows.

[@Droanly]

@@ProductDesignOnline One other comment when you make your lid you need to project that circle to the sketch plane using the project command unless you have auto project turned on. Auto project is now turned off by default in windows current releases. This will also hang people up like myself following this tutorial. Maybe an update to this video is in order.

[@georgesbekhaazi7798]

21:45 HOW DID U GET THE CONE SHAPE ?

[@ProductDesignOnline]

I created a sweep at ~20 minutes - kzbin.info/www/bejne/apKcinaoo96jhKM That swept cone-shape is what we use to cut the body into two.

[@user-yk1cw8im4h]

Is sculpt and tspline basically the same thing?

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Yep. They phased out the word 'Sculpt' because many were led to believe it was like sculpting in Maya or Zbrush. Sculpt/Form/T-splines are all synonymous in Fusion 360.

[@user-yk1cw8im4h]

@@ProductDesignOnline Ah I see, thanks for the explaination :)

[@peter.stimpel]

being used to solids, this looks like witchcraft, still...

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Understandable! It definitely still takes some practice and getting used to... But starting with the modeling approach will help a ton :)

[@peter.stimpel]

@@ProductDesignOnline Kevin, I am following your tutorials, maybe some of the mystery goes away. looks good so far

[@gutrali]

Has anyone ever told you that you sound exactly like @NileRed ? I wonder why that is? It is uncanny to me

[@ProductDesignOnline]

More people every day 😂

[@rendericeib4513]

used to be a great personal use program , not anymore

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Majority of the functionality is still there for hobbyist. What did you use that is no longer available?

[@rendericeib4513]

@@ProductDesignOnline export to 3ds max

[@ProductDesignOnline]

@@rendericeib4513 gotcha. You're the first I've heard that relied on that. Curious, what sorts of projects are you working on that you export and finish up with 3DS max? :)

[@rendericeib4513]

@@ProductDesignOnline hard surface modelling for robot parts , my vfx portfolio.

[@ofmoonsbirdsandmonsters]

How to separate and copy some chosen planes in this mode?