IMAGINiT Manufacturing Solutions Blog

NEW Home for the IMAGINiT Manufacturing Solutions Blog

We truly enjoy writing blog posts and sharing them. But that’s not all we do. Our new blog site lives on the IMAGINiT Resource Center. 

The IMAGINiT Resource Center offers a searchable index of our older posts, on-demand webcasts, tips and tricks, case studies, whitepapers, and more.

Content from our amazing technical team will continue! We hope you’ll join us: https://resources.imaginit.com/manufacturing-solutions-blog

Fusion 360 Title Blocks

Fusion 360 (Fusion) has 2 basic workflows for creating custom Title Blocks.  The first is to create the Title Block within Fusion and the second is to create the Title Block in AutoCAD and import it into Fusion.  The first option (Create within Fusion) is pretty straight forward and the way to go if you do not have or know how to use AutoCAD.  The second (Create in AutoCAD) is for those of us who have and are comfortable using AutoCAD.  Lets take a look at both.  NOTE: This is not a tutorial on how to draw in Fusion or AutoCAD but, just how the Title Blocks works.

To get started with either option the process is the same.  Follow these Steps.

1. Optional, but recommended is to have a Project that contains your templates and other company standards.  It is also, recommended to sketch out on a piece of paper what you want the Title Block to look like, and what information is required and what information is optional before you begin.
2. Start a New Drawing Template.
   
   • 

   • Select "From Scratch" and choose the standard, units, and paper size.

     • 

   • At the bottom of the screen select "Add Title Block"

     • 

   • You now are presented with 3 options.

     • 
       
       1. From Existing

          • Create Title Block from an existing one

       2. From Scratch

          • Create a brand new Title Block from scratch

       3. From DWG File

          • Import from an AutoCAD DWG

Option 1 - Fusion 360

1. Select Option 2 (from above) and give your Title Block a name
   • 
     

2. Fusion will give you basic drawing and modifying tools (Geometry and Modify Panels) to design the Title Block. 

   • 

   • Attributes (Text Panel) are very easy to place with the built in attribute names already populated (7 built in attributes) .  If you require more information than the 7 provided, you can also easily place custom attributes to add additional data.

     • 
   • Fusion attributes and where they are pulled from are listed below.  Most of the attributes are read only once when the drawing is created so, if you change the model's title, project…, the attribute value will not update automatically. You will need to modify the Title Blocks attributes manually by double clicking on the individual attribute(s). (insert sad face).  Filling out custom attributes is done by simply double clicking on the attribute in the Title Block.

     • TITLE_1

       • This pulls the name you saved the Fusion file with.

     • SHEET

       • This will add the sheet number and total sheet count (1/3, 2/3, 3/3…. In this format)

     • PROJECT
       • When you save your file, it is saved within a project folder.  This will pull the project folder name.  So, be thoughtful how you organize your data and if you want all CAPS you need to type in your project folder name with all CAPS.
     • SIZE

       • This will pull in the sheet size of the template.

     • SCALE
       • This will pull in the scale of the first view and how you typed in the scale (1:1, 1/1, 1…).  Also, if you change the scale after the first view has been placed, and you want this attribute to update, you have to double click on the Title Block and select "Reset Attributes".
         • 

     • DRAWN_DATE

       • The date the drawing was created.

     • DRAWN_BY

       • Pulls in your Autodesk profile information displayed in the upper right of the screen.

         • 

3. One huge disappointment when creating a Title Block within Fusion is the lack of drawing geometry accurately with dimensions as you draw.   Once you draw a line, rectangle, circle, or arc you can only go back and use the Inspect command (Inspect Panel) to measure what you drew.  You would then have to drag snap points to adjust the size.  Not sure why the same functionality you have in the sketch environment can't exist here so, as you draw you can place dimension to accurately layout and design the Title Block.  For example, if you use the rectangle command first there is no reference as to how big the rectangle actually is.  And you may end up drawing the rectangle that is 100 times the size it should be.  The line, circle, and arc command at least show a visual as to how big you are drawing.  So, if you choose this route to create your Title Block start with the line command so you have an idea how big you are actually drawing.

   • 

4. Modifying Title Blocks

   • To modify an existing Title Blocks simply select the Title Block and right click to choose "Edit Title Block".  Now you are back in the Title Block creation environment to make the desired modifications. 

     • 

Option 2 - AutoCAD

 

1. First things first, the AutoCAD file cannot contain any blocks information or Xref's so, you must purge the file of any of this information that may be hanging on in the background.  For more information of what's not supported click here.  If you have no idea what blocks, xrefs, purge or AutoCAD even is.  Sign up for one of our many classes on AutoCAD or stick with Option 1 above. 

2. Start at 0,0 and sketch in negative X and positive Y direction.  Below is a screen shot of Fusion so you can understand where AutoCAD and Fusion reference 0,0 from.  If you don’t start like this your Title Block will be off the border back in Fusion.

   • 

3. Borders can not be created independently like the Title Block but a custom Border can be included in a Title Block/Border combination.  Returning to Fusion 360 you would need to delete the existing Border if you go this route.  Also note that you can add things like proprietary notes, company information, standard notes… as well. 

4. Unless you have modified the standard Fusion border or are creating a combination AutoCAD Title Block/Border, it is good to know what dimensions you have to work with.  Below are the dimensions of all of the ASME and ISO borders to assure your new Title Block fits appropriately.

   • ASME Border Size (Actual X,Y) 
     • A 8.5in x 11 in

       • (7.74 x 10.50)

     • A 11 in x 8.5 in
       • (10.50 x  7.74)
     • B 17in x 11 in
       • (15.76 x 10.24)
     • C 22in x 17in
       • (21.00 x 15.50)
     •  D 34in x 22in
       • (32.00 x 21.00)
     •  E 44in x 34in
       • (43.00 x 32.00)

          

   • ISO Border Size (Actual X,Y)

     • A4 210mm x 297mm

       • (180mm x 277mm)

     • A4 297mm x 210mm

       • (277mm x 180mm)

     • A3 420mm x 297mm

       • (390mm x 277mm)

     • A2 594mm x 420mm

       • (564mm x 400mm)

     • A1 841 mm x 594mm

       • 811mm x 574mm)

     • AO 1189mm x 841mm

       • 1159mm x 821mm)

   • 

5. Attributes (AutoCAD ATTDEF Command) that translate over to Fusion properties must be named exactly as below.  No need to fill out the prompt or default option in the "Edit Attribute Definition" dialog box as Fusion will ignore them.   Any attributes you create that are named differently then what is below will come across as a custom attribute in Fusion.  How the attributes are mapped to Fusion properties were stated above in Option 1.

   • 
     
     • TITLE_1
     • SHEET
     • PROJECT
     • SIZE
     • SCALE
     • DRAWN_DATE
     • DRAWN_BY

6. Once you are finished laying out and designing your Title Block there is no need to block it in AutoCAD.  If you do, Fusion will fail to load it until you Explode the block and purge all traces of it from your file.  For me one thing I had to overcome is that Fusion is different than AutoCAD, AutoCAD Electrical, and Inventor and the information that I track in those programs doesn’t have to be included in my Fusion Template (but, can be).  Basically, I had to tell myself to Keep It Simple Stupid (KISS).  Below are some examples of simple and more complex Title Blocks.

   • 
   • 
     
     

7. Images in the Title Block

   • Even though it is mentioned above that Xref's are not allowed, an Xref'd Image is allowed.  If you have an image to place it can be placed through the Xref Manager (AutoCAD Xref Command).  These images will show once the Title Block is imported into Fusion.

   • Images can also be placed once you are back in Fusion by using the "Image" command on the Insert Panel.

     • 

8. Bringing the AutoCAD Title Block into Fusion.

   • Once the Title Block is finished save and keep this file in case changes are required.  If and when changes are required (Ever have a boss or customer change their mind?) this file can be modified and the changes can be brought back into Fusion. Follow the steps in the beginning of this article of how to add a Title Block from AutoCAD and re-select the AutoCAD file.  You will be presented with a dialog box to over write the existing one.

     • 
       

Conclusion

 

Whichever option you decide to create the Fusion Title Block.  I hope this finds you well, and sheds a little light on a few things.  And as always…..back to sweeping…..

AutoCAD 2020 DWG Compare Command

AutoCAD introduced the DWG Compare command in version 2019 and at first glance, the command appears to have only gone through a “cosmetic” change in the AutoCAD 2020 release. In AutoCAD 2019 the command activated a complete Ribbon tab with multiple panels. In AutoCAD 2020 this has been replaced with a small DWG Compare fixed palette found just below the Ribbon.

Most of the same functions on the Ribbon panels can be found using the drop-down menu under the “Gear” icon on the new palette. This drop-down menu can be pinned in place if desired. The rest can be found on the palette itself with the addition of three function icons as shown by the red box.

I would like to first cover the major change to the DWG Compare command in AutoCAD 2020, which will help to explain the three new functions. In AutoCAD 2019, the command created a new comparison drawing from the two separate drawings you selected. It would use your current drawing as DWG 1 and you had to choose the second drawing for comparison which became DWG2. In the screen capture below, the current drawing was “Bank Class.dwg” used as DWG 1 and “Bank Class – Compare” as DWG 2. A new file tab, showing “Compare_Bank Cl…lass – Compare*”, was created to perform the comparison.

The DWG Compare command in AutoCAD 2020 uses the current drawing as the base drawing and places the comparison drawing into it as a special type of external reference.  This means two things; an extra comparison drawing is not needed, and best of all, dynamic edits can be made directly in the current drawing during the drawing comparison process.  This process can be used between the current drawing and a comparison with the same current drawing to create a unique revision control process which will keep track of drawing edits in real time.  Once drawing edits are complete use the small green arrow on the DWG Compare palette to exit and then the current drawing saved.

The two other functions on the DWG Compare palette are:

Import Objects:

This function allows you to select any object, which is marked as existing only in the comparison drawing and copy it into the current drawing. In my comparison, the Reception desk is in red showing that is only exists in the comparison drawing.

After using the Import Objects function, the desk is changed to a gray color showing it is now a part of both the current and the comparison drawings. Also notice that the Revision Cloud is removed.
Export Snapshot:

This command will create the same combined AutoCAD 2019 color-coded drawing for the comparison process. This drawing can be saved for reference purposes.

The Light Bulb icon on the new DWG Compare palette is simply an on/off switch to activate the comparison or turn it off to make editing easier. As mentioned earlier, the Green Check icon quits the DWG Compare command.

I want to mention an AutoCAD system variable that makes the DWG Compare command much more useful during the command process. The system variable “COMPAREPROPS” can be set to the combined total of any of the following drawing property values so these properties will be detected during the comparison process.

0 – Object property changes are not included in the drawing comparison
1 – Color
2 – Layer
4 – Linetype
8 – Linetype Scale
16 – Lineweight
32 – Transparency
64 – Thickness

For example, to set the system variable to detect drawing comparison differences of “Color and Layer” the value would be set to 3. In my current drawing, the text layer and color, are different from the comparison drawing. With the system variable “COMPARPROPS” set to 0, the text is not flagged as being different.

With the system variable set to 3, both text values are marked as different between the drawings being compared.

The AutoCAD 2020 DWG Compare command has truly become a valuable tool in your design work.

Live Industry Lecture Series

We're excited to announce IMAGINiT's Live Lecture Series! Each month, enhance your knowledge and use of Autodesk products with our complimentary "live lecture" style learning that emphasizes real-world topics and experiences not found in standard training classes. Explore the latest features, tips, tricks, and more for your industry.

Sign up now to attend January's free Lectures:

 

MANUFACTURING

Swapping and Updating Blocks in AutoCAD Electrical

January 10 - 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM ET

Objectives

• Understand the various ways to handle changing components
• Use the Swap/Update Block command

View full description and register for free.

 

Technical Overview of Inventor Tube & Pipe

January 13 - 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM ET

Objectives

• Understand the components of a Tube and Pipe run.
• Discuss the difference between a Rout and a Run
• Configure and use a Tube and Pipe Style

View full description and register for free.

 

AUTOCAD - GENERAL

Dynamic Blocks in AutoCAD
January 17 - 12:00 - 12:45 PM ET

Objectives

• Create a single dynamic block to manage different sizes and variations of an object
• Add parameters and actions to objects in a block to make it dynamic
• Add constraints (geometric or dimensional) to a dynamic block to help it retain its correct shape
• Create a block table to select from a list to adjust dynamic block

View full description and register for free.

 

CIVIL

Geotechnical Data for Civil 3D Surfaces
January 13- 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM ET

Objectives

• Review types of Data Formats
• Demonstrate the Geotechnical Workflow
• Review Geotechnical Data
• Create a Surface and Profile

View full description and register for free.

 

BUILDING

Rapid Detailing in Revit
January 27 - 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM ET

Objectives
• Link CAD files into a Revit project
• Add residential doors, windows, components, and floors
• Create a roof and add trusses
• Develop room elements and report schedule data
• Assemble sheets for construction documents

View full description and register for free.

 

Please note: on-demand recordings of these webinars are available for ProductivityNOW customers only. 

New AutoCAD 2020 Blocks Palette

AutoCAD has always had several ways to insert a block into a drawing including:

• Typed “Insert” command
• “Insert” command on the Ribbon
• Tool Palette configured with blocks
• Copy and Paste
• Design Center (which was the main method of using blocks from other drawings).

AutoCAD 2020 has added another method with the new Blocks Palette.  The command is found on the View Tab > Palettes Panel.

The Blocks Palette is a typical AutoCAD palette and uses the same controls as all other tool palettes with the ability to auto-hide, dock to either the left or right of the design screen and be set to a transparent state.  The significant difference is the Blocks Palette brings together many of the above listed methods for placing a block into a single, comprehensive palette.

The first thing you notice about the palette layout is the three tabs representing the accessibility of various blocks, Current Drawing, Recent (used) and Other Drawing.

The “Current Drawing” tab, obviously, lists the blocks found in the current drawing.  The “Recent” tab will list the blocks which you have recently used.  Control the number of blocks in this list by setting the “BLOCKMRULIST” system variable. This variable is in the Windows registry and can be set from 1 to 100 (the default value is set to 50).  You can manually remove blocks from this list one by one.  The Other Drawing tab will list the blocks in any drawing you select using the file selection dialog, which is mentioned later.

The familiar Insertion Options are at the bottom of the palette and minimized if desired.  One new choice has been added; “Repeat Placement” allows you to insert multiple occurrences of the selected block at one time.  The “Insertion Point” choice is always selected when you start AutoCAD, other options are remembered only during an AutoCAD session.

A block filter is provided at the top of the palette which can be used to sort the block list(s).  The traditional Windows “*” and “?” specification keys can be use in the filter string.  A drop-down list of used filters is available, but it is reset once the AutoCAD session is ended.

The three dots (red arrow) are used to open a file dialog box which is used to select the drawing of blocks displayed on the “Other Drawing” tab.  The block view mode selection drop-down list is located in the top right corner of the palette.

Information about a block is presented by hovering your cursor over the block.  This information is available in any view mode however, if the view mode is in any view mode except “small icon” and “list”, some of the information will be displayed graphically.  The information available can be seen in the screen capture below.

The two methods of placing a block from the palette are the same as before.  If you left click and drag a block from the palette to your drawing, all insertion options are ignored.  If you left click and let go, the configured options and the command line options are respected.  Additional placement options are available if you right click on a block entry.  These options vary depending on which Block Palette tab is active.  The screen capture below is with the Recent tab selected.

A couple of changes have been made to the AutoCAD 2020 Ribbon block Insert command.  The two commands, at the bottom of the block insert preview box, if selected, will automatically open the Blocks Palette.  The small icon, indicated by the red arrow, can be used to size this preview box.

In AutoCAD 2019, the select “More Options” would have opened the classic Insert Block dialog box and has been eliminated.  This classic Insert Block dialog box is still available in AutoCAD 2020 by typing the command “CLASSICINSERT” at the command prompt.

When using the Other Drawing tab, you will notice the first block is noted by an “*” and is the complete drawing selected for block display.  Placing this block is similar to using the Wblock command to create a block of an entire drawing, then placing it into another drawing as a block.

Blocks are an important and integral part of AutoCAD and now you have just one more fantastic way of finding, sorting and inserting them into your drawings.

AutoCAD to Fusion 360 Sheetmetal

Often times I run across a client that wants to convert their 2d sheet metal flat patterns into 3d models. These flat patterns are trusted and has been successfully manufactured year after year.  Using Fusion 360 the designs could simply be recreate and flattened.  But, the odds of getting the new Fusion 360 flat pattern to lay exactly on top of the trusted flat pattern would be a difficult and time consuming task. 

The Fusion 360 Team has now added a "bend" command to sheet metal which allows us to successfully tackle the task described above and have faith that when we flatten the design it will lay exactly on top of our original flat pattern. So, moving forward the Fusion 360 file would become the official document of record.  Where we can take full advantage of everything that 3d has to offer.  

Before we jump into Fusion 360 lets first take a look at what the file looks like in AutoCAD. Make sure that the bend lines are not set to a continuous line type.

 

If the lines are set to a continuous line type then when we go to select the object in Fusion 360 incorrect areas will get selected.  Also, please make sure that all of the actual edges of the sheet metal are on the same layer so, that when the profile is selected it recognizes all of the internal cutouts.  If the internal cutouts are on layer "A" and the outside profile is on layer "B" the internal areas will not be detected.  And would add more time in the converting the design to 3d because you would need to manually select the internal cut areas.  Like the image below.

Now that we have some house cleaning out of the way let's get started.  How do we get the 2d into Fusion 360?

 

If you are using Fusion Team which I hope you are.  Then I would copy and paste the 2d files directly into your drive and the files will just show up in your Data Panel.

 

I will assume for now that you are not using Fusion Team and just want to get the file into Fusion and start working.  Create a new sketch and go to Insert DXF.  Select your DXF and choose what layers to bring in and make sure that the Insert Mode is set to "One Sketch per Layer" then hit OK.

 

Select the Flange command, choose the sketch and select the appropriate sheet metal rule and hit OK.  When using the Bend command it is crucial that you work from the outside of the part to the center of the part.  If you think about it, it just makes sense.  If I started in the center of the part and bent the part up 90 degrees the sketch with the bend line is still laying flat.  So, I wouldn’t be able to continue bending the part because the part is now up in the air and the bend lines are still on the original plane.  There will be times, that no matter how careful you are you may need to create a new sketch on the part and draw in a new bend line.  I will show you an example of that here soon. 

Select the Bend command and choose the area of the sheet metal that you do not want to bent and then select the bend line.

Continue working from the outside to the center of the part. 

Here is an example of when you still may need to create a new sketch and a new bend line.  In the below image Fusion 360 will not allow me to bend the wings up 90 degrees because the model will self-intersect. 

 

So, the body of the plane needs to be bent first.

 

The only problem is the part bends and the sketch that we inserted stays on the sketch plane.  So to finish the wing a new sketch needs to be created on the part with a new bend line drawn in. 

So, experiment with this workflow and I will get back to sweeping some mines. 

Hope this helps you in some way!

 

P.S

Depending on how you bring in the 2d data the history may be turned off in your design and you may not see any sheet metal functionality.  Simply right click on your timeline and select "Capture Design History".

Getting AutoCAD 3D files to Inventor

Do you have AutoCAD 3D files that you need to get over to Inventor in order to add CAM toolpaths or include the part in an assembly? Here are two quick workflows to get those AutoCAD 3D files into Inventor.

 

Workflow #1:

1. Export the AutoCAD 3D file in IGES format.
2. Start a session of Inventor.
3. Navigate to and open the IGES file.
4. Import Dialog Box will open.
   
   1. Check Solids box in the Object filters area.
   2. Name the file and set file location as needed.
5. Click Ok.
   1. The inventor file is created.

 

Workflow #2

1. Save the AutoCAD 3D file as a DXF file.
2. Start a session of Inventor.
3. Create a new part.
4. While in the new part, navigate to the Manage Tab
   1. On the Insert Panel, click Import
5. Navigate to and select the DXF file.
6. DWG/DXF wizard will open.
   1. Check/select the DXF file circle.
   2. Click Next.
   3. Choose whether to open or ignore external references.
   4. Select the necessary layers to import.
   5. Adjust the import destination options as needed.
7. Click Finish.
8. Inventor will create two files.
   1. 3D model
   2. Drawing file (you can save or delete this file as necessary).

 

 

 

 

 Once the model has been created, you can proceed to create toolpaths using HSM or use the part in an assembly!

 

Thanks!

 

Brady

Creating Different Layers in an Inventor Drawing and Exporting to AutoCAD

You can create layers in Autodesk Inventor and have those layers export to AutoCAD. Here are the steps that I've found work pretty well when trying to export an Inventor drawing with layers that AutoCAD will recognize.

    

Adding Layers to Inventor Drawings

• Make sure the style library for the project is set to Read/Write
• When a model/dwg is open
• Manage tab-->Styles Editor
• Expand Layers
• Click New…
• Will create a copy of the currently selected layer
• Rename as required
• Here you can edit the color, linetype and lineweight
• Just like in AutoCAD layer manager
• Once layer(s) have been created Save and Close the styles manager
• Back in the drawing
• Shift right-click, change selection to part priority
• Select the desired part
• Right click --> select as edges
• Go to annotate tabe
• In the format panel, select desired layer for selected part

Layer manager inside the Styles Editor

 

 

 

Set up AutoCAD to recognize Inventor Layers

• Open AutoCAD or ACAD Mech
• Open the Layer Manager
• Create the layers you wish to export from Inventor
• The names of the layers much match exactly
• Set colors, line types and line weights as desired
• Once layers are created, save the ACAD file as a drawing template

 

Exporting Inventor DWG to AutoCAD

• In Inventor select File>Save Copy As
• Select AutoCAD dwg as the file type and click Options
• Choose the AutoCAD version you are working with
• Click Next
• On the next screen select the Export Options as desired
• Before clicking Finish, make sure you search and select the AutoCAD Template file that was created to match the Inventor layers
• Click finish

 

When you open the file in AutoCAD you will notice that the layers created and assigned in Inventor will appear in the AutoCAD file.

 

Good luck!

 

Brady

 

Creating a Detail View in AutoCAD

During my last AutoCAD Electrical Tips and Tricks presentation, I was asked how to create an enlarged detail view in AutoCAD.

Here is a quick overview of the process to creating scale detail view. Below is a 1/4 scale viewport in paper space. I drew a circle in model space of my detail circle. It will be deleted later. Once the viewport is properly scaled, create another circle in paper space referencing the circle in model space.
  

I’m assuming you already know how to create viewports and their proper use. If not, here are a few other articles about creating viewports.
http://blogs.rand.com/manufacturing/2015/10/using-revision-clouds-for-autocad-paper-space-viewports.html
http://www.cadalyst.com/cad/autocad/create-speedy-autocad-paper-space-viewports-%E2%80%94-right-way-34524

Copy the circle in paper space and position it where the new circular view port will live. Then scale it properly. I want to go from 1/4  to 1/1 so I scaled the circle up 4 times. Finally I turned the scaled up circle into a viewport. Once the viewport is positioned properly in paper space, Draw the connecting line if needed by snapping to center of the two circles.

To center the circular viewport, enter the viewport and then use the ZOOM command with the ‘Object’ option. Select the circle in model space and the viewport will zoom to, and center, around the circle. Now set the viewport scale to the proper scale. It should be pretty close as it is but not exact. After locking the viewport, switch to model space and delete the original circle.

There you have it. A detail view that is exactly to scale of it’s call-out circle.

Autodesk University - Large Vault Data Loading

This year at Autodesk University I conducted a class on loading large amounts of data in an Autodesk Vault system.  This class is now available on the Autodesk University website.  Here is the handout and powerpoint in case you do not yet have the FREE access to Autodesk University.

Link to the class: Airing Dirty Laundry

Powerpoint:  Download IM124378 - Airing Dirty Laundry

Handout:  Download IM124378-Flayler-AU2017

KEY LEARNING

• Develop best practices for loading data into Vault
• Learn how to break down an Autoloader scan into consumable data
• Learn how to apply Task Scheduler to automate tasks in the migration and loading of data
• Learn how to resolve file relationship errors during and after the data-loading process

DESCRIPTION

When loading data into Vault data management software, several tools are available to aid in the process of migration and data loading to make the process smoother. It is not uncommon for files to be in question during this process as being unsupported data or corrupt, or for them to be missing file references or containing improper metadata. These issues can cause delays in the migration to proper data management with Vault. Adding new data to an existing Vault also has challenges, such as the possibility of duplicate files. In this class, we'll learn about the tools available to transition into Vault, as well as merge new data into an existing Vault while mitigating as many errors as possible.