Use bridge on form edges

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Use bridge on form edges.

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After completing this video, you'll be able to

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use bridge weld vertices and merge edges

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in fusion 360. We want to begin with the supply data set bridge and merge dot F 3D.

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In this video,

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we're gonna be talking about how to connect

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multiple areas of a free form model together.

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And there are multiple ways that we can do this.

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We're going to be talking about the bridge tool which allows us

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to create new faces and edges by bridging two selected edges together.

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We're also going to be talking about merging edges we

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vertices and we're going to also include edit form as well as the face tool.

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So to begin, we need to figure out what the problem is that we're trying to solve. In

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this case,

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we've got two copies or two independent form bodies that we

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want to combine together to make a single form body.

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In order to do this. Let's go ahead and begin by going to our bodies' folder.

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We're going to select both of these and use control C and control V to make a copy.

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You can also use the right click menu and do copy

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and paste or you can use command C and command V.

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If you're on a Mac,

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we wanted to create a copy because there are so many different ways to do this.

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We want to make sure that we understand the differences.

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So to get started, we're first gonna begin by using the bridge tool,

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the bridge tool will allow us to create new edges and new faces.

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And in this case, we're gonna double click for side one

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and double click for side two

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to make sure that we select those together.

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Note that the bridge tool is available for edges,

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but we can also make face selections.

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When we select a face, the selected face will be removed

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and new geometry will be added from it.

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We have to keep in mind that there is a preview option.

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And when we use multiple faces such as three, in this case,

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they are going to be co linear, they're going to go straight across

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unless we use the follow curve option, which can help drive the shape.

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So for this,

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I want to go down to a two section which will

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allow us to have a line of symmetry in the middle.

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If we decide to use symmetry later,

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we're gonna say OK.

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And now you can see that we've added additional faces

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and we've connected these together as one single body.

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Now that we know how to do this with the bridge tool.

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Let's talk about a couple of other ways that we can do this

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using modify and edit form and double clicking on this edge.

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We can hold down the alt key on a windows machine or the option

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key on a mac and we can translate or scale to add new faces.

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And if we do this on both sides, let me go ahead and pull this one out as well.

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We're able to drag those out and add those new faces

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in order to connect them together. We have one of three options.

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We can use the face tool

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which allows us to snap to these vertices

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and connect them with new geometry.

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And in this case, I'm going to carry on with the face tool

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working my way down the design.

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Keeping in mind that what I'm doing here is I'm adding a new face,

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which means that we're adding new divisions.

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This can be problematic for symmetry,

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but in some cases, it might be the easiest option for you to fill in these open areas.

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The next thing that we can do is bring body three and body

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four back and we can use tools like merge edge or we vertices.

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I'm gonna begin with merge edge by double clicking on one side

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and then double, clicking on the other for group two and saying, OK.

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Uh what happens with merge edge is it'll take our first selected group

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and it'll move them to the location of the second selected group.

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Now, in some cases, this is not going to be the ideal way to do this.

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Generally, when you're using merge edge,

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you've likely moved the edge into a relatively close position

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where you can then merge it with the selected edge.

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We also have the option to use we

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vertic

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similar to merge edge. The first vertex we select will be the moving vertex.

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And the second one we select will be the location that we move to.

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With this tool we can carry on making those selections.

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And once we're in a position where we're close to the end,

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we can start to see the final shape.

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And we want to make sure that we do close everything off

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and then say, OK,

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once again with merge edge and weld vertices,

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this is going to take the position of the last selected vertex or edge

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as that final location.

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Now, this can be problematic to the overall shape of your design,

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especially if you're trying to work with symmetry.

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Whereas the first version or iteration

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where we were using the bridge tool, it was able to stay completely in the middle.

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Now

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each of these will have their own benefits and drawbacks.

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So you have to decide which one works best for the design that you're working on.

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In a lot of cases using edit form to extrude an edge relatively close.

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And then weld vertices or merge edge is a great option.

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However, when you're working on symmetric designs.

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You might find that sometimes using the bridge tool or using the face

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tool to fill in those gaps is going to be the best choice

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at this point. Let's make sure that we do save this design before we move on.