Hello, I am around an intermediate CADder. While I started off in Onshape, I am looking to learn Fusion360 as well since it is available for with an educational license and its CAM features are a great benefit.
Because I self-learned how to CAD only about a couple months ago, I am unfamiliar with other software and its details. How do teams that use Fusion360 for their robots (I know there aren’t too many teams that do this) or design small components for their robots with Fusion insert configurable FRC parts just like mkCAD offers in Onshape?
You can use a KOP but there is no true alternative. Fusion’s independent import features are also pretty bad–you must create a new configuration for each length. Honestly, stick with OnShape.
I recommend you export files from OnShape for CAMing. That said, if you plan to use CAE or renders then you might just want to use a KOP.
Can you elaborate with what you mean by KOP? (sorry, I’m new to Fusion and have no idea what you mean ) Unless you mean kit of parts, which makes me even more confused…
I guess I’m not looking to use Fusion for FRC stuff because I do get what people say when Fusion isn’t just fast or powerful enough. I’m just trying to learn more industry-standard software that runs on Mac OS
oh ok! I do mean kit of parts–some teams make downloadable ones that you can make into fusion projects and use at will. The issue is that you can’t make a new config for each import like with MK.
As for other things, Fusion is a great piece of software and I highly recommend it for makers.
One of the reasons we switched from Fusion 360 to Onshape was for MKCAD. When we used Fusion 360, we had a folder called “global parts” and we sorted it like MKCAD where we had different folders for robot part sellers. We spent soooooo much time importing motors, wheels, etc, and not enough time CADing actual robot parts and mechanisms.
If you are learning for fun, and have access to a 3D printer try printing stuff. We found that is the best way to engage new CAD students.
The team still uses Fusion 360 for CAM, and some students use it for modifying/remixing .stls for 3D printing because you can’t really edit them in Onshape.
Also for reference, I am a self-taught/student-taught beginner/intermediate CAD mentor, so there are better ways to do it than what I suggested.
I totally get what you’re saying. As someone who’s started out in Onshape, Fusion is so frustrating sometimes to work with and Onshape really isn’t appreciated enough!
Also, I forgot to answer the other half of your question. When we used fusion, we had a different file per mechanism. We also had a main file for the whole robot that imported each mechanism. It took forever to update because our computers were not fast enough to handle fusion. For a CAD team of 4 students, the process felt clunky and slow compared to when we switched to Onshape.
) Unless you mean kit of parts, which makes me even more confused…
