Parametric modeling in Fusion360 explained in 40 seconds + detailed tutorial with example

With parametric modeling, you can easily change dimensions of a model without having to painfully go over individual steps and correct it there.

[rjc]

Parametrics are so useful. One of the biggest things I did over lockdown was convert massive amounts of work over to parametric designs. Now that we have returned, we have distributed them around the company and everyone is finding them so useful. It's not just easier for me, its easier for people who wouldn't even know where to begin!

[conormacfadden]

Always good to see CAD used properly!

Parameters are very useful but stable modeling practice is important to make the size changes reliable. Try to locate your model around the origin to make best use of the planes and axis for mirroring, revolving, patterning and dimension references.Think about the feature types being used, for example a draft could have been used instead of a chamfer but as you want the lower diameter to be controlled rather than the angle the chamfer was the easier to control option. Your sketches should always be fully constrained to avoid unexpected results. Naming them also helps when you go back to fault find. Plan ahead and leave finishing features like edge blends and chamfers as late as possible as these can remove or change edge references and are likely to cause update problems. The order in which blends are applied can also make a huge difference to the results. If you have more than one body in a part then you should probably be splitting them into separate components. Most importantly keep it as simple as possible. The longer the history tree the more likely it is something will fail but with proper planning even complex models can be very stable.

[CasparMacRae]

Aside from being a wonderfully clear intro to parametric design in Fusion360, the example used (self watering plant pot insert) made for a perfect practical real-world demo.
Blog post mentions "constraints", think that would make for a great follow-up video; that's the bit that ensures parameters are bounded.
Thank you Josef - am sold, now 👍 & 🔔

[Krynn]

Always interested in more modelling tutorials from Prusa! I like the "concept tutorials" like this more than the step-by-step "how to model a widget" type. This sort of info is much more applicable to many more things!

[Scoop]

45 second summary was so perfect, I felt ready to get started... but those 45 seconds were executed so well I decided to stay and see what else you had to say.

[freddotu]

Your presentation style makes for a good learning experience. You are correct about the quantity of F360 tutorials, but your skills in creating the presentation along with your teaching ability makes this a pleasure.

[Jeggo]

What really seems to essential to parametric design in F360 are fully constrained sketches.
It is sometimes hard to get this, but it is worth the effort.

[helicopterjohns]

Enjoyed the video. Keep showing fusion 360 related tips.
Thanks!
John

[TheDaveOutlaw]

I have been learning 360 fusion and this practical example helped . I also have flash forge printers as a use them to help teachers in the classroom because they are so simple to learn . I do not have a Prusa printer because I had aleardy invested in dremal, ultimaker and flash forge. But think that I may want to rethink this as the new prusa has addressed a lot of issues .thank you for sharing.

[amoose]

Fun fact: When in a sketch and defining a dimension, you can click another existing dimension in the same sketch to reference it without typing. Second tip: arrays need unitless integers for the count field and this can be accomplished as a driven function of an existing length by just dividing the length by (1 mm) or "1 in" if working in freedom/inferior units. Making a value snap to the nearest integer can work with any of the floor(), ceil(), or round() functions.

[spikekent]

Great tutorial Mikolas, I've been using Fusion 360 for some time and I like to think I've got pretty good at it. I love the parameters, they save a ton of work, I've even added them after my original design. The bridging tip is one that I learnt a while ago and found it to be superb, not only in filament but print time too.

[wcndave]

One thing that's really handy that you missed, was to go into parameters and assign names to values already used.

If you've done your cylinder a while ago, and now realise you want to make it a parameter, you can go in and give it a name to use later. You can also change parameters in that dialogue box without having to click each item in the timeline, all entered measurements are in there. I just wish you could work on the model with the parameter dialogue always open, eg on another screen, or floating!

[shipuku]

thank you, i was unsure of how to do tapers and parametric stuff without struggling to change things manually. I wish i learned this earlier to make things easier for myself.

[Oggies]

Although I think I use Fusion with skill, I always watch what others do and pick up hints and tricks always, just looking for a few gems. I really appreciate your training manner and pace. Really appreciated your tip for bridging instead or support, nice one - Thanks Mikolas. Nice to see more videos from Prusa Reaseach, love the live videos too.

[hillfortherstudios]

Really great explanation of a powerful feature. I am contacting Autodesk and requesting the ability to have the FEATURE MENU OPEN AT THE SAME FREAKING TIME AS THE SKETCH!!!! Its silly that you can't have them both available at once.

Thanks again! Good job!

[TonyGoesRiding]

More Fusion 360 tutorials for 3D printing relevant topics is always good!

[covertpluto]

Me: changes 140mm to 120mm
Fusion 360: no

[TheChrisChung]

Thank you for sharing this, what an eye-opener!!

[JAYTEEAU]

I use OpenSCAD and am learning Fusion, that was a great primer. Cheers, JAYTEE

[darthPixel]

while creating an object you can also define parameter directly by typing Height=140 which ommits the need to open param window