External references and derives

00:02

External references and derives.

00:05

After completing this video,

00:06

you'll be able to

00:07

insert an external component,

00:09

use edit in place,

00:11

and create a derive.

00:14

To get started in Fusion,

00:15

we want to open the supplied data sets,

00:17

Joint and motion assemble.F3D

00:19

and mounting plate.

00:21

F3D.

00:22

We're gonna be taking a look at using external references and derives

00:26

and how working with these distributed designs works inside of fusion.

00:31

So to get started,

00:32

the first thing that we want to do is we want to identify the fact that

00:35

all of the components and subcomponents inside of our joints and motion assembled

00:40

are all internal to the design.

00:43

If we want to insert an external component,

00:45

there are 2 main ways that we can do this.

00:47

From the insert menu,

00:48

we can select insert component.

00:51

This will allow us to navigate to another location,

00:53

for example,

00:54

mounting plate and select insert.

00:57

When we insert a new component,

00:58

we have some positioning tools that are available to us right away.

01:02

What we can do is we can rotate a part around

01:05

and get its initial position roughly correct.

01:08

This can help with applying joints later.

01:10

While it's not strictly required that the joint position is perfect,

01:14

it does certainly help,

01:16

and we have the option to ground to parent at this time.

01:19

For now,

01:19

we're gonna select OK.

01:21

The external component has a chain link icon

01:24

because it's not currently in our design.

01:26

If we want to make edits or adjustments,

01:28

what we need to do is use what's called edit in place.

01:31

We'll take a look at that in just a second.

01:34

Another way that we can insert components into our

01:36

design is to find them in our data panel,

01:38

select them,

01:39

and drag them into our assemblies.

01:41

I'm going to hit cancel for this because it's the exact same dialogue,

01:45

but note that this is a secondary method that

01:47

we can use to insert these into our design.

01:50

In the timeline,

01:51

I'm gonna select the component creation and hit delete.

01:55

For now,

01:55

let's minimize the data panel.

01:57

What we'd like to do is position this plate

02:00

so that it goes to our mounting brackets for our cylinder.

02:03

Keep in mind that the pivot bracket is currently fixed.

02:07

To do this,

02:07

let's go to assemble and select joint.

02:10

For the joint motion type,

02:12

we're gonna first start with Revolut.

02:15

The first position will be this hole.

02:17

The 2nd position will be the center location of the backmost mounting point.

02:23

Note that it's positioned properly,

02:25

so instead of Revolut,

02:26

let's go ahead and set this as rigid.

02:28

This means that these two components will be fixed together.

02:31

Since our mounting bracket is fixed or pinned to our environment,

02:35

this means that the cylinder can move up and down.

02:39

The next thing that we want to do is we want to modify the mounting plate

02:43

because currently it's too short for this assembly.

02:46

To do this,

02:46

we need to use what's called edit in place.

02:49

Edit in place is a way for us to share external references

02:53

between our external designs and the assembly which we're working in.

02:56

We have the ability to modify the design by updating its features and sketches.

03:01

Let's go ahead and right click on sketch one and show the dimensions.

03:05

This shows that we have 90 millimeters for our overall length.

03:08

Let's go ahead and increase this length to 150 millimeters.

03:12

We can see now that the 3D model has been updated in the design.

03:16

Let's go ahead and reduce this down to 135 millimeters,

03:20

and then we can finish edit in place.

03:22

Let's go ahead and hide sketch one.

03:25

Minimize the sketches folder

03:26

and collapse the mounting plate.

03:29

So this is a great way for us to use

03:31

external references and to bring them into our current design.

03:36

Keep in mind that external references,

03:38

if we make any adjustments or changes to the design,

03:40

they'll be affected in all their locations.

03:43

We can right click and we have the option to break the link.

03:47

If we break the link,

03:48

this is going to pull all of the features

03:50

used to create that part into our current design.

03:53

Keep in mind also that there is a record of

03:56

where these components are used directly in our data panel.

03:60

So when we're taking a look at our joints and motions assembled,

04:03

if we expand this,

04:04

we'll be able to see which components are used.

04:07

We have uses and used in and as soon as we save this design,

04:11

it's gonna be updated based on the components that are being used.

04:17

So if we expand joints and motions assembled,

04:21

and we take a look at our uses,

04:23

we can see that it's using the mounting plate.

04:26

And used in and drawings would also be populated if there

04:29

were some additional components or places where we put this subassembly.

04:33

Let's go ahead and minimize the data panel.

04:36

One other thing that we do want to discuss is the use of creating a derive.

04:41

A derive is a way for us to take a component out of assembly into its own design.

04:46

Just like external references brought into a current assembly,

04:50

a derive will maintain its link back to its parent assembly.

04:54

Changes made to the derive will not affect the original assembly.

04:58

Let's go to our Create menu and selective.

05:01

In here we can put them into new designs or put them into an existing design.

05:06

We have the option to derive objects or to specifically derive components.

05:10

There are some additional options such as parameters from our favorites

05:14

and our components that can be brought along as well.

05:17

For this example,

05:17

let's go ahead and just bring the cylinder.

05:20

Note that this is using bodies.

05:22

If we change the object to components and select it,

05:26

we'll be bringing in the component information.

05:29

You have the ability to bring in multiple things such

05:31

as the entire air cylinder and its assembly structure.

05:35

This will also bring over joints,

05:36

in this case the slider joint.

05:38

Let's go ahead and say,

05:39

OK,

05:40

and put this into a new design.

05:42

The new design contains the main body as well as

05:45

the shaft and the joints that are relating the two.

05:48

Any changes that we make at this stage,

05:50

for example,

05:51

if we decide to use press pull and increase the diameter of this hole.

05:57

That change is not going to affect the original design.

06:01

Information from the original design,

06:03

however,

06:04

any changes that are made here,

06:06

will propagate down to our derive.

06:08

So if I decide to change the depth of this counterboard,

06:11

for example,

06:13

once again,

06:13

we're going to use press pull,

06:14

which is Q on the keyboard.

06:16

I'm gonna set this at -0.1,

06:19

making a small adjustment.

06:21

I'm gonna save this assembly.

06:23

And navigate back to my derive.

06:26

Now Fusion is telling me that this is out of date

06:28

and there is an update to the version of my part.

06:31

If we select to go ahead and grab the update,

06:34

it'll make that minor change to this area.

06:37

So once again,

06:38

it's important to understand that there are many ways in

06:40

which we can use fusion to design our parts.

06:43

Keeping everything internal to a single design file is certainly a valid workflow,

06:48

but also understanding that external references as well as

06:50

derives are in many cases used in complex assemblies,

06:54

especially during collaboration is an important subject as well.

06:59

Make sure that you understand how to insert an external component,

07:02

make sure that you know how to use edit in place,

07:05

and also understand how to create a derive,

07:07

taking a specific body or component

07:10

out of a large assembly.

07:12

If you want to go ahead and make sure that you save all the

07:14

files that we've been working on before moving on to the next step.

Video transcript

00:02

External references and derives.

00:05

After completing this video,

00:06

you'll be able to

00:07

insert an external component,

00:09

use edit in place,

00:11

and create a derive.

00:14

To get started in Fusion,

00:15

we want to open the supplied data sets,

00:17

Joint and motion assemble.F3D

00:19

and mounting plate.

00:21

F3D.

00:22

We're gonna be taking a look at using external references and derives

00:26

and how working with these distributed designs works inside of fusion.

00:31

So to get started,

00:32

the first thing that we want to do is we want to identify the fact that

00:35

all of the components and subcomponents inside of our joints and motion assembled

00:40

are all internal to the design.

00:43

If we want to insert an external component,

00:45

there are 2 main ways that we can do this.

00:47

From the insert menu,

00:48

we can select insert component.

00:51

This will allow us to navigate to another location,

00:53

for example,

00:54

mounting plate and select insert.

00:57

When we insert a new component,

00:58

we have some positioning tools that are available to us right away.

01:02

What we can do is we can rotate a part around

01:05

and get its initial position roughly correct.

01:08

This can help with applying joints later.

01:10

While it's not strictly required that the joint position is perfect,

01:14

it does certainly help,

01:16

and we have the option to ground to parent at this time.

01:19

For now,

01:19

we're gonna select OK.

01:21

The external component has a chain link icon

01:24

because it's not currently in our design.

01:26

If we want to make edits or adjustments,

01:28

what we need to do is use what's called edit in place.

01:31

We'll take a look at that in just a second.

01:34

Another way that we can insert components into our

01:36

design is to find them in our data panel,

01:38

select them,

01:39

and drag them into our assemblies.

01:41

I'm going to hit cancel for this because it's the exact same dialogue,

01:45

but note that this is a secondary method that

01:47

we can use to insert these into our design.

01:50

In the timeline,

01:51

I'm gonna select the component creation and hit delete.

01:55

For now,

01:55

let's minimize the data panel.

01:57

What we'd like to do is position this plate

02:00

so that it goes to our mounting brackets for our cylinder.

02:03

Keep in mind that the pivot bracket is currently fixed.

02:07

To do this,

02:07

let's go to assemble and select joint.

02:10

For the joint motion type,

02:12

we're gonna first start with Revolut.

02:15

The first position will be this hole.

02:17

The 2nd position will be the center location of the backmost mounting point.

02:23

Note that it's positioned properly,

02:25

so instead of Revolut,

02:26

let's go ahead and set this as rigid.

02:28

This means that these two components will be fixed together.

02:31

Since our mounting bracket is fixed or pinned to our environment,

02:35

this means that the cylinder can move up and down.

02:39

The next thing that we want to do is we want to modify the mounting plate

02:43

because currently it's too short for this assembly.

02:46

To do this,

02:46

we need to use what's called edit in place.

02:49

Edit in place is a way for us to share external references

02:53

between our external designs and the assembly which we're working in.

02:56

We have the ability to modify the design by updating its features and sketches.

03:01

Let's go ahead and right click on sketch one and show the dimensions.

03:05

This shows that we have 90 millimeters for our overall length.

03:08

Let's go ahead and increase this length to 150 millimeters.

03:12

We can see now that the 3D model has been updated in the design.

03:16

Let's go ahead and reduce this down to 135 millimeters,

03:20

and then we can finish edit in place.

03:22

Let's go ahead and hide sketch one.

03:25

Minimize the sketches folder

03:26

and collapse the mounting plate.

03:29

So this is a great way for us to use

03:31

external references and to bring them into our current design.

03:36

Keep in mind that external references,

03:38

if we make any adjustments or changes to the design,

03:40

they'll be affected in all their locations.

03:43

We can right click and we have the option to break the link.

03:47

If we break the link,

03:48

this is going to pull all of the features

03:50

used to create that part into our current design.

03:53

Keep in mind also that there is a record of

03:56

where these components are used directly in our data panel.

03:60

So when we're taking a look at our joints and motions assembled,

04:03

if we expand this,

04:04

we'll be able to see which components are used.

04:07

We have uses and used in and as soon as we save this design,

04:11

it's gonna be updated based on the components that are being used.

04:17

So if we expand joints and motions assembled,

04:21

and we take a look at our uses,

04:23

we can see that it's using the mounting plate.

04:26

And used in and drawings would also be populated if there

04:29

were some additional components or places where we put this subassembly.

04:33

Let's go ahead and minimize the data panel.

04:36

One other thing that we do want to discuss is the use of creating a derive.

04:41

A derive is a way for us to take a component out of assembly into its own design.

04:46

Just like external references brought into a current assembly,

04:50

a derive will maintain its link back to its parent assembly.

04:54

Changes made to the derive will not affect the original assembly.

04:58

Let's go to our Create menu and selective.

05:01

In here we can put them into new designs or put them into an existing design.

05:06

We have the option to derive objects or to specifically derive components.

05:10

There are some additional options such as parameters from our favorites

05:14

and our components that can be brought along as well.

05:17

For this example,

05:17

let's go ahead and just bring the cylinder.

05:20

Note that this is using bodies.

05:22

If we change the object to components and select it,

05:26

we'll be bringing in the component information.

05:29

You have the ability to bring in multiple things such

05:31

as the entire air cylinder and its assembly structure.

05:35

This will also bring over joints,

05:36

in this case the slider joint.

05:38

Let's go ahead and say,

05:39

OK,

05:40

and put this into a new design.

05:42

The new design contains the main body as well as

05:45

the shaft and the joints that are relating the two.

05:48

Any changes that we make at this stage,

05:50

for example,

05:51

if we decide to use press pull and increase the diameter of this hole.

05:57

That change is not going to affect the original design.

06:01

Information from the original design,

06:03

however,

06:04

any changes that are made here,

06:06

will propagate down to our derive.

06:08

So if I decide to change the depth of this counterboard,

06:11

for example,

06:13

once again,

06:13

we're going to use press pull,

06:14

which is Q on the keyboard.

06:16

I'm gonna set this at -0.1,

06:19

making a small adjustment.

06:21

I'm gonna save this assembly.

06:23

And navigate back to my derive.

06:26

Now Fusion is telling me that this is out of date

06:28

and there is an update to the version of my part.

06:31

If we select to go ahead and grab the update,

06:34

it'll make that minor change to this area.

06:37

So once again,

06:38

it's important to understand that there are many ways in

06:40

which we can use fusion to design our parts.

06:43

Keeping everything internal to a single design file is certainly a valid workflow,

06:48

but also understanding that external references as well as

06:50

derives are in many cases used in complex assemblies,

06:54

especially during collaboration is an important subject as well.

06:59

Make sure that you understand how to insert an external component,

07:02

make sure that you know how to use edit in place,

07:05

and also understand how to create a derive,

07:07

taking a specific body or component

07:10

out of a large assembly.

07:12

If you want to go ahead and make sure that you save all the

07:14

files that we've been working on before moving on to the next step.

After completing this video, you’ll be able to:

  • Insert an external component.
  • Use Edit in Place.
  • Create a derive.

Video quiz

Which option allows for an externally referenced component to be modified inside of a new design while maintaining associativity?

(Select one)
Select an answer

1/1 questions left unanswered

Step-by-step guide

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