Surface Modeling with Fusion 360

Learn the fundamentals of surface modeling with Fusion 360's Surface tools (formerly the Patch Workspace). Kevin Kennedy of Product Design Online will walk you through the core concepts with a step-by-step example, surfacing a steam iron.
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 - Surface modeling foundations in Fusion 360
0:56 - Discussing the sketch geometry
2:30 - Switching to the surface tools
4:26 - Using the surface loft command
5:21 - Changing the visibility settings
6:27 - Creating sketch geometry for handle
8:34 - Extruding the handle surface
9:17 - Trimming the handle surface
9:41 - Lofting the hole to finish the handle
12:13 - Sketching the back geometry
12:34 - Extruding the back geometry
13:00 - Trimming the back surfaces
14:30 - Creating the bottom surface
15:23 - Using the boundary fill command
16:37 - Adding fillets and next steps
17:40 - Summary of surface modeling techniques
TUTORIAL RESOURCES
1. This tutorial's resource page ➞ ProductDesignOnline.com/21
2. View my checklists for Fusion 360 beginners ➞ bit.ly/f360checklist
3. Join us on Patreon ➞ / productdesignonline
TOP FUSION 360 PLAYLISTS
bit.ly/learn-fusion360
bit.ly/woodworker-playlist
bit.ly/3D-printing-playlist
bit.ly/sculpt-playlist
SUBSCRIBE for more high-quality Fusion 360 tutorials! ➞ bit.ly/sub-right-now
________________________________
MY PREMIUM COURSES
2 Months FREE ➞ bit.ly/courses-free
DISCLAIMER
This video and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. This helps you support the channel at no extra cost to you and allows me to continue to make videos like this.
-
#Fusion360 #ProductDesignOnline #surfacing

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Learn more about surfacing with my beginner surfacing playlist ➞ bit.ly/surface-playlist _ *TIMESTAMPS* 0:00 - Surface modeling foundations in Fusion 360 0:56 - Discussing the sketch geometry 2:30 - Switching to the surface tools 4:26 - Using the surface loft command 5:21 - Changing the visibility settings 6:27 - Creating sketch geometry for handle 8:34 - Extruding the handle surface 9:17 - Trimming the handle surface 9:41 - Lofting the hole to finish the handle 12:13 - Sketching the back geometry 12:34 - Extruding the back geometry 13:00 - Trimming the back surfaces 14:30 - Creating the bottom surface 15:23 - Using the boundary fill command 16:37 - Adding fillets and next steps 17:40 - Summary of surface modeling techniques

[@md.arrahmandip7638]

How to set canvas perfectly?

[@md.arrahmandip7638]

can you provide the whole process?

[@KenOfHouston]

YES, more like this please. I rewatched this one several times to pick up more points and that has allowed me to get started in surface modeling.

[@puneetsingh7639]

Love this Kevin! I'm an automotive industrial designer. Me and my girlfriend sit together on our systems, learn Fusion from your videos, initially started from Skillshare. Please do more tutorials on surface modeling. Thanks alot for all your efforts. HUGE HELP!!

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Thanks, puneet singh! Glad to hear the two of you are enjoying them. I'll definitely be doing more surfacing tutorials. Stay tuned! Cheers, Kevin :)

[@DaddyScribbles]

One of my most trusted Fusion 360 teachers. Thanks for a great tutorial.

[@jerrychan1471]

Absolutely yes for the high-level tutorials! This was a fantastic video with clear explanations.

[@RushikeshKalane]

Absolutely yes for the high-level tutorials!

[@shahulmaricar4869]

Thank You So Much for your wonderful videos, Kevin! YES to more step-by-step surface modeling and other higher-level concept tutorials and good practices from you! Thank You Again.

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Thanks, SHAHUL MARICAR! Glad to hear you enjoyed this style. I'll definitely be doing more like this. Stay tuned. Cheers, Kevin :)

[@realspacemodels]

I have almost no experience in the sculpt/form tab. I didn't even know where to begin. This tutorial is the clearest and most concise demonstration of working in the sculpt environment I have seen. I have bookmarked this in my history so I can refer back to it.

[@robertstokes1986]

Another great surface tutorial. Please keep making the intermediate tutorials as its the only way to learn new tools.

[@kalpitkatpara4363]

Your videos and tips that you provide are the real gems!! thank you so much, Kevin.

[@milesbgibbons]

Yes! More examples exhibiting different uses of the workflow. Thank Kevin!

[@hatchattack23]

Super helpful. Thank you. I loved seeing the handle workflow and the steps involved in creating the handle geometry.

[@heresoneavailable]

Please make more of these, your tutorials are great!! I'm almost done witht the Learn F360 in 30 days, and I want to go heavy on surfaces. Thanks!

[@ErnestGWilsonII]

Great Fusion 360 surface modeling techniques tutorial! This is the best Surface Modeling with Fusion 360 techniques tutorial hands down! The Product Design Online Fusion 360 videos are the best tutorials on the Internet and have the highest quality audio with easy to follow and clear instructions! I am of course subscribed with notifications enabled and thumbs up!

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Thanks, Ernest! As always, I really appreciate your continued support. I'm glad to hear you found the surfacing techniques in this tutorial to be helpful. Cheers, Kevin :)

[@danielslackergenius1641]

I like how you teach. It is most helpful when tutorials go beyond just how to use a tool, but to the why you would use 1 work flow vs another.

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Thanks, Daniel! Glad you're enjoying them 🙂

[@jarnold2000]

Yes. First time exploring surface modeling. So great to have high-level.

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Hi, Joe. Thanks for your feedback. I'm glad to hear the high-level concepts are beneficial. I'll definitely be doing more. Cheers, Kevin :)

[@mciro]

This is so incredibly good for learning. You have a gift. All my thumbs up.

[@Zimer]

Great high level video. I like that because I was able to learn few new tools and how to use them in around 20 minutes. And I think you touched all the necessary steps.

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Thanks for the feedback, Amit. I'm glad to hear that! I will definitely do some more high-level videos. Cheers, Kevin :)

[@caspar3152]

Yes, yes, yes!! Your approach of teaching the workflow with such a complex software is excellent. Thank you for sharing your expertise in such an enlightening way! I just subscribed your channel😉

[@gordon6029]

Love it! More please. Haven’t used boundary fill before. Really nice.

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Thanks, gordon6029! I will definitely be doing more of these high-level tutorials. Cheers, Kevin :)

[@mauricioexequielguzmanlafu116]

Love your videos mate, precise and clear enough!!!

[@SelcukOZMUMCU]

Yes, absolutely cool stuff. Congratulations. Please keep up with advanced surface modeling.

[@MachChicken]

Love it! Thanks for all you teach Kev👍🏼

[@NoName-vl5gr]

This is soooo helpful. All your tutorials are so simple. I learnt how to use fusion just by watching your vids. Thank you!

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Glad to hear that, No Name. What types of projects do you work on?? Cheers, Kevin :)

[@NoName-vl5gr]

@@ProductDesignOnline Just random stuff. Just got started. I wanna design the next iPhone. Maybe a foldable iPhone.

[@ProductDesignOnline]

@@NoName-vl5gr Make sure it doesn't end up like the Samsung phone :)

[@schirleyamaral]

Your videos are amazing! Thank you, you are a true teacher.

[@jelacio]

excellent thats what I need, I also notice that your explanations are much better I hope that you continue this lesson with more challenge designs 😉👍

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Hi, jelacio. Thanks for your feedback. Could you elaborate on how you think my explanations are better? (I'd love to hear more so I can continue to improve). I'll definitely be doing more designs, including more complicated objects, in the future tutorials. Cheers, Kevin :)

[@keithbarr3009]

Yes, like this type of delivery, but when an earlier beginner, the step by step was quite helpful. Now that I understand the basics, prefer this method.

[@_c_y_ko3150]

Nice vid and more surface modeling tutorials for sure!

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Thanks, _C_Y_ Ko! Glad to hear you enjoyed this one. I will definitely be doing more surfacing tutorials. Stay tuned! Cheers, Kevin :)

[@g0balot]

Hi, yes. This is much better. I have had difficulties with some of your videos because although they cover great topics and are full of really good information, getting that information takes so long when every little detail is described. I have found them a little bit frustrating. I also find describing the steps in detail before doing them is also a bit of a problem as it doesn't mean much to me before I see the results. However, you clearly have a great deal of knowledge to share and a fantastic delivery style so this new approach makes you much more accessible for me. Thanks for the great work.

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Hi, Scoopy Doopy. This is great - thanks for all the feedback! I'm always searching for new ways to improve the tutorials, including types. Some like the step-by-step approach (and complain if I don't say every step) whereas others like these high-level concept tutorials. It sounds like a great mix of both will be useful for all. Cheers, Kevin :)

[@t3chrs]

Yes. This tutorial was excellent.

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Thanks, Tony! I appreciate your feedback. Cheers, Kevin :)

[@simpernchong]

Very good video. Thanks for sharing the techniques.

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Thanks, PC Sim! Glad to hear you enjoyed this one. I appreciate you taking the time to watch and comment. Cheers, Kevin :)

[@tommansell1140]

yes, I like your techniques. thanks for sharing.

[@markg1531]

Yes, this is great. Very helpful. Thanks!

[@kajpaget3180]

Thank you for your time it helps me❤

[@mateszentes1]

Yes it was reaallyyy useful. Thank you!

[@adrianstephens56]

Very clearly explained. Thank you.

[@Shabazza84]

Very nice tutorial as always.

[@manricobaldeschi8057]

Veramente interessante, grazie per il Tuo modo di esporre gli argomenti. Continua così.

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Grazie mille!

[@3dworxs]

Great videos, thank you

[@jamesbarratt593]

Had to jump forwards to see about this surface modelling which is where I aim to be one day. Wow it looks great can also see how grasping the beginning fundamentals really helps. As a befinner I like the slow pointing everything out step by step, and as I get to this stage I wonder if my thoughts might have changed. Kevin my hat off to you. Awesome tutorials. Love every minute of them. Wheres the patreon page?

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Hi, James. I'm glad you got a glimpse of how this could be applied to your welding helmet. I'll definitely continue with step-by-step tutorials. I think a great mix of both will be helpful. My Patreon page can be found here - www.patreon.com/productdesignonline Cheers, Kevin :)

[@ironman2010h]

Yes, I love it, and it will be nice if you make form tutorials.

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Thanks for watching, Hussain Gaddal! Cheers, Kevin :)

[@KeyLeaves]

Great stuff. Thank you!

[@winstoncloete1670]

Yes. Great tutorial

[@sergeybob3224]

High klass work ! Useful and interesting lesson... Thanks !..

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Thanks, sergey bob! I appreciate your support. Cheers, Kevin :)

[@Suedzville]

yes, more like this please!

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Thanks for your feedback, Suedzville! I'll definitely be doing more. Cheers, Kevin :)

[@rvabarndoors]

Great production! ...again

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Thanks, Scott! Glad to hear you enjoyed this one. I appreciate you watching and commenting. Cheers, Kevin :)

[@madisarlybayev4208]

Nice tutorial. I would like to see tutorials on how to make gun parts like pistol grip with beautiful curvature on it as well.

[@rjlatheart]

yes This was good once again. It would be nice to see YOUR final product.

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Thanks, Rich. Glad you enjoyed this one. I will definitely do some A to Z tutorials at some point (featuring larger projects/products). Cheers, Kevin :)

[@PureAdvicePT]

Yes, pelase do more and more. Thanks

[@AlnPila]

great info !

[@lawrencepun2483]

great tutorial!

[@rospone70]

Yes, very good tutorials.

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Thanks for watching, Moreno! Cheers, Kevin :)

[@rajaryanigdncxhadk4090]

yes, pls high level stuff :)

[@vitymp007]

great video, like always. Thanks have a question, instead of making it a solid body can you make it on sheet metal and flat pattern each part? i hope you can because that will be awesome.

[@ian6083]

Great tutorial! I would have loved to have seen how to edit the creases.

[@michaelbrown-qe8cr]

Kevin - Your tutorials are some of the best available. I would love to know how to loft from a scanned image to a geometric shape. (ie.. scan of human face to loft to a breathing apparatus)

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Hi, Michael. Is the scan a mesh file?

[@michaelbrown-qe8cr]

@Kevin. Initially it is a scanned mesh. Hi converted it to a BRep file. Tried various options such as tracing the outline with the PIPE spline and that created a nice contour, but then could not loft to the pipe. Another option was to offset a plane, extrude a circle or square to encapsulate the mesh, then use COMBINE / CUT to create a parting line as a new body and delete one of the bodies I do not need that extend beyond the scanned BREP body. The task is very tedious and wondering if there is a more simplified workflow. I’ll be glad to arrange a GOTO meeting with you offline to further discuss the scope if you like. ([e-mail])

[@ProductDesignOnline]

@@michaelbrown-qe8cr One option would be to use the "Project to Surface" command or "Project" command to take the pipe geometry and turn it into a 2D sketch that could be used with your Loft feature. Scanned files are tricky in Fusion 360 because they always mesh files. Converted files often have a high number of triangular mesh data which makes it hard to reference without simply recreating the shape/mimicking it.

[@matthjck]

excelent tutorial, very helpfull!

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Thanks, Matth Jocker. Glad to hear you found this to be helpful. Cheers, Kevin :)

[@mytubehkjt]

Yes. A comment on why surface vs solid would be useful.

[@pavalige]

yes your doing a great job !

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Thanks, pavalige! I appreciate your feedback. Cheers, Kevin :)

[@theerawor8287]

definitely yes!!

[@paulchapman524]

yes, I like it. Easy to follow

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Thanks, Paul! Glad to hear you liked this one. I appreciate you taking the time to watch and comment. Cheers, Kevin :)

[@biglouie69]

Over my head like a trapeze act! Back to the beginner stuff but interesting to see what I might do with a bit (or a lot) more training!

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Keep at it, Louie! I have no doubt you'll get there :)

[@supergiantbubbles]

Really nice video. Boundary fill could be very useful.

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Glad you enjoyed this one, Dustin. I'll have to do a video solely on the Boundary fill command at some point - it's super useful! Cheers, Kevin :)

[@dimitros1981]

defiantly YES!

[@gbancroft245]

yes, more please

[@joker_g7337]

Yes, it's easy to follow like it is.

[@barkster]

Thanks for video, my problem I always have is when you want to edit the original sketches to create the surfaces. Do a video of editing the sketches because every time I try it the projected geometry never stays constrained. Would love to have seen you add the extra planes at the end you mentioned to refine the shape.

[@shukurlujavid98]

Thanks a lot!

[@IceCreams62]

Great work as usually, thanks a lot NO

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Thanks for your feedback, IceCreams62! Cheers, Kevin :)

[@juggalizzle75]

Yes less in depth. Sure cover the concepts in longer thorough videos but general "hey look at what you can do with the fundamentals you habe learned" type videos are great to highlight what else we can do and didn't know we could.

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Thanks for your feedback, Gary! This is very helpful. I'm definitely going to be doing more of these high-level tutorials. Cheers, Kevin :)

[@hectorsamuelgarcia4384]

Yes i love it

[@enriquemorales8419]

It is a greate training. Just the thing I am looking for.

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Thanks, Enrique!

[@kpan500]

Your tutorials are always full of useful information and I really enjoy them. I'd just like to see more "mainstream" examples. Cars, airplanes, engines, and the ever popular shoe tutorial.

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Thanks, nickelfloor. I appreciate the video suggestions. I've added these to my list of potential video topics. Cheers, Kevin :)

[@santiagomino4874]

Good tutorial

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Thanks for watching, Santiago! Cheers, Kevin :)

[@fr3akky602]

love you videos! I am having an issue with "boundary fill" - the bodies will not turn green if i select all 5.. am i missing something? but if i circle the whole object it turns green but has 8 Tools and 5 cells, but if i also click on XY plane (have 6 tools , and the middle cell aswell as 1 more on the bottom line-which you added for extrusion)..could help me out here? thank you in advance.

[@kistler140]

YES!

[@poderis1088]

YES. Could you also discuss how to work with CAM for CNC machining?

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Thanks, Poderis. Yep, I do plan to start doing CAM videos soon :)

[@poderis1088]

@@ProductDesignOnline Can't wait! Your content is amazing btw.

[@ProductDesignOnline]

@@poderis1088 Thanks! I appreciate you watching :)

[@shanebarrett5827]

I wish I could watch your videos 24 hours a day.

[@ProductDesignOnline]

I hope you get some sleep at some point! ;) In all seriousness, I appreciate your support by watching and commenting, Shane. Cheers, Kevin :)

[@alonyouval3452]

Thanks

[@solllorentelucena5440]

Hey Kevin, amazing video! I have a question, I´m trying to model an electric keetle wth very organic shapes, would you recomend me doing it with surface modeling or sculpt modeling? Thanks for the tutorial again!

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Either one would work...but I would say Surface modeling if you need precise dimensions and sculpting if you're just exploring shapes :)

[@solllorentelucena5440]

@@ProductDesignOnline Thank youuuu!

[@ashwini6074]

Love this Video. I have noticed that in boundary fill I can't be able to select 'select cells' option. When i clicked that body disappears. Also model doesn't turn green. Is there any solution for this?

[@stuart6454]

Very informative

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Thanks, Stuart! Glad you enjoyed this one. Cheers, Kevin :)

[@jakewarner1902]

Yes!

[@shreyashagrawal2264]

Can you tell how will we add switches and other necessary details to the body?

[@25goldenboy25]

More please!

[@94paul1]

YES

[@hobojoe2000]

yes!

[@boboscurse4130]

How do you bring up the Spline command by drawing on the canvas with the mouse? I thought it was just the old UI, but you're doing it here in the new UI.

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Hi, Bobos Curse. I'm using the "Marking Menu". If you right-click with your mouse you can take a look at all of the actions. However, the intent of the marking menu is that you drag the mouse as you right-click, to quickly activate the desired command (you have to remember location of things). In this case, I was dragging my mouse cursor (while right-clicking) straight down to activate the sketch commands and then straight to the right to activate the Fit Point Spline. In a lot of my beginner tutorials I reference the options in the "right-click menu". In these overview or more intermediate/advacned tutorials I'm starting to show how efficient it can be. Cheers, Kevin :)

[@robertstokes1986]

At the end when completing the boundary fill command i select all the surfaces but it doesnt go green and there is no select cells option?

[@koushiknk6574]

I need high level tutorials

[@santiagoblandon3022]

Hey, awesome videos! have you seen the 3d printable rc planes that 3dlabs make and some other guys make? i was wondering if you could make a tutorial teaching how to do the internal structure those designs have. thank you so much!

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Hi, Santiago. I have not seen those rc planes but I will definitely take a look. If you could provide a direct link to some of the images/planes you're referring to that would be appreciated! Cheers, Kevin :)

[@santiagoblandon3022]

Absolutely! Here is a video kzbin.info/www/bejne/qqfWZKysesh0iKM And here a model on thingiverse made in a similar fashion www.thingiverse.com/thing:3040294 Thank you!

[@MrMalaman]

yes !!

[@sunpeter8260]

Very nice indeed! I can follow the first 60%, but I'm a bit lost in the last part, as I'm not totally familiar with the Surface environment.

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Hi, Sun Peter. Thanks for the feedback. The concepts were geared more towards "intermediate" level users. I would suggest checking out my beginner surfacing playlist if you're looking to learn more - bit.ly/surface-playlist

[@DESIGNBURO46]

Yes

[@robintomasi1775]

Yes.

[@zwazi09]

yess

[@mciro]

and of course YES

[@kafi2579]

Frik YES!

[@AndreCourtemanche]

A few step-by-step easy models will help solidify the understandings of the surface concepts and tips!

[@tannermoore4925]

I wish you could explain the beginning part that you don't show. The rest of the video is simple, but I can't for the life of me get the surface loft to work with the geometry I sketched. I have no I idea what I'm doing wrong. Do you have a video explaining how you did the first steps?

[@BoumanserviceNl]

Could you actually surface model arround a assembly of mechanical components ? Meaning a simple valve wich is connected to a flow sensor and wrap a model arround those components like you did on the raspberry case ?

[@ProductDesignOnline]

Hi, Bouman Service & Engineering. Great question. You definitely can. I would suggest starting your surface model in a separate component. Cheers, Kevin :)