Resource list for ready to print things

@davee I had a look at Parametric, and I think it is different in F360 than what I understand it to be. Direct modelling looks easier for me.

@davee I know this is trivial, but a mere 48 hours ago I thought it was impossible for me to learn CAD. This is my second diagram and I did this from scratch myself. It may be trivial to everyone else, but it's a huge leap for me.

Hi Ron @zander,

 Well done for getting a foothold into CAD ... sometimes the hardest step is the 'Getting starting' one. You are clearly making great progress! Keep up your winning streak!!

RE: I had a look at Parametric, .. etc

Each to their own ... use the tools in whichever way you feel most comfortable ... you are not constrained to following what others say or do.

Personally, I find it convenient to give dimensions names ... eg OutsideBoxLength ... 30 (mm).

Then if that length is used in two or more places, if I want to make it 35 (mm), I only have one change to make, in the same was as you might define 'constants' near the top of a programme.

And in some cases, I find it easy to make a dimension a simple arithmetic expression.

e.g. for a box like yours:

     WallThickness       3 (mm)

     InsideLength        50 (mm)

      OutsideLength     (InsideLength + (2 * WallThickness) )

In some of Paul's videos, he will show ways of linking the dimensions on the diagram, which I usually find harder, but then I am not mechanical engineer.

And sometimes I draw a bit of the shape just typing the dimensions as numbers in directly. Then later, edit the numbers into parameters, so that I have an 'adjustable' shape later.

But there is absolutely no requirement on you to follow any of these comments!!!!

...........

Well done and keep designing!

Best wishes, Dave

I want to add a lip for the lid. I suspect there is no 'negative' tool, so I need to reduce the hight then add another box with a thinner thickness to bring the H back to what it was then merge the 2 parts into one. My question is where can I edit the dimensions?

@davee A bunch of stuff I didn't know there, Dave but since I am only at lesson 1 not counting the first 3 I have a lot to learn yet. It sounds like being able to name a dimension and rescue it is a way toward parametric. BTW, I had a quick peek at FS parametric and it is not what I call parametric so I will not be using it.

Hi Ron @zander,

  I'm not 100% sure what you mean by negative tool, but extrusions can be cuts, ... e.g. a hole cut into an existing extrusion, instead of an addition of plastic added. Be patient, and watch a bit more of Paul's efforts!

Editing dimensions ... again watch Paul's lesson is probably the best answer ...

The definitions are contained in a table .. Click "Modify" on the taskbar to produce the dropdown menu .. Near the bottom, I think it says Change Parameters .. click and a table editor should appear. Note, to add a parameter, click the + near the top right.

On a drawing, any dimension number (excepting those which are only showing a value calculated from other parts of the drawing) can be edited by clicking on it. Note, sometimes the dimension is not shown, but can be added by editing the drawing.  Again, maybe watch Paul a bit more.

Sorry, I have a feeling the answer is obvious, but my brain is working on a go slow, so what is FS?

Best wishes and great to see you are making progress, Dave

@davee FS is Fusion 360. Taking the day off so far because my 4,000wH emergency power supply was delivered this morning and I am busy getting it hooked up etc.

I think I will go slow and let the printer catch up to me so to speak. Things will make a lot more sense when I can do something in F360 then print to see the results.

Posted by: @zander

↑

... websites where you can get free or for a small fee things to print.

Looks like nobody has mentioned Thangs yet.

https://thangs.com/?sort=likes&range=month

Hi Ron @zander,

  That explains a lot. Hope the UPS is good .. I have only got a torch .. maybe 6Whr at a push!

Dave

@davee Technically, it isn't called a UPS, but it will simultaneously allow both charging and consuming via pass-through. A true UPS does not use pass-through, which guarantees not even a microsecond switchover. The load is only via the inverter. In my case, it will be just a standby unit that I will connect via long extension cords to the fridge and freezer. If we are going to be away for more than 5 or 6 hours, I will hook up the extensions, otherwise the appliances will stay cold enough until we get back home.