fusion-magic-revolve

JT Magic Revolve - User Guide

Version: 1.0.0
Compatible with: Autodesk® Fusion®
Developer: Giovanni Tommasi - JT Plugin Development

📋 Overview

JT Magic Revolve is a powerful plugin for Autodesk® Fusion® that enables you to create multiple copies of 3D bodies with controlled translation and rotation along separate axes. Perfect for creating complex patterns, spirals, and repetitive structures where you need to generate multiple instances of objects with precise positioning and rotation control.

The plugin provides full-featured revolving with advanced capabilities for creating unlimited patterns and structures.

🚀 Quick Start Guide

Step 1: Access the Plugin

Open Fusion
Navigate to the SOLID workspace
In the CREATE panel, locate the JT Magic Revolve button
Click the button to launch the revolving dialog

Step 2: Select Your 3D Body

In the dialog, click the Body to Duplicate field
Select the 3D body you want to revolve from your design
The plugin will automatically analyze the body properties

Step 3: Configure Translation Axis

Translation Axis: Choose the axis for body movement (REQUIRED):
- Supported Types: Linear edges, sketch lines, construction axes
- Purpose: Defines the direction of body movement

Step 4: Configure Rotation Axis (Optional)

Rotation Axis: Choose the axis for body rotation (OPTIONAL):
- Supported Types: Linear edges, sketch lines, construction axes
- Purpose: Defines the axis around which bodies rotate
- If not selected, will use the translation axis

Step 5: Set Operation Parameters

Operation Priority: Choose the order of operations:
- Rotation: Rotate first, then translate (classic spirals)
- Translation: Translate first, then rotate (distributed patterns)
Translation Distance: Enter the spacing between bodies (in current units)
Number of Pieces: Specify how many bodies to create (up to 1000)
Rotation Angle: Set the rotation increment between bodies
Spacing Correction Angle (Optional): Angle between translation axis and desired spacing direction
Name Root: Customize the naming pattern for created bodies
Create New Component: Option to create a new component for the revolved bodies

Step 6: Execute Revolving

Review the preview of the operation
Click OK to execute the revolving
The plugin will create individual bodies with specified positioning and rotation
Bodies are automatically organized in timeline groups

🚀 Plugin Features

JT Magic Revolve provides comprehensive revolving capabilities:

✅ Core Features:

Unlimited Revolving: Up to 1000 bodies per operation
All Axis Types: Linear edges, sketch lines, construction axes
Timeline Grouping: Organizes bodies in timeline folders
Custom Naming: Personalized naming patterns
Priority Support: Direct email support
Clean Workflow: Streamlined operation without interruption

🎯 Workflow:

Select body to revolve
Choose translation axis (all types supported)
Optionally choose rotation axis (all types supported)
Set custom parameters and naming
Execute unlimited revolving operations
Automatic timeline organization
Professional naming conventions

📐 Detailed Usage Instructions

Body Selection

Supported Types: Solid bodies, surface bodies
Requirements: Body must be a single, continuous object
Size Limits: No specific size limitations
Validation: Plugin checks for valid geometry automatically

Translation Axis Configuration

Supported Types: Linear edges, sketch lines, construction axes
Purpose: Defines the direction of body movement
Visual Preview: Shows axis direction in dialog

Rotation Axis Configuration

Supported Types: Linear edges, sketch lines, construction axes
Purpose: Defines the axis around which bodies rotate
Optional: If not selected, uses translation axis
Visual Preview: Shows axis direction in dialog

Operation Priority Configuration

Rotation→Translation: Rotate first, then translate
- Best for: Classic spiral patterns
- Effect: Bodies rotate around their original position, then move
Translation→Rotation: Translate first, then rotate
- Best for: Distributed patterns
- Effect: Bodies move to new position, then rotate around that position

Distance Configuration

Positive Values: Move in positive direction along axis
Negative Values: Move in negative direction along axis
Zero Distance: Bodies remain at same position (rotation only)
Units: Uses current Fusion 360 document units
Smart Calculation: Plugin validates reasonable distances
Parametric Support: Use expressions like “d1 * 2” or parameter names

Number of Pieces Configuration

Maximum: 1000 pieces per operation
Minimum: 1 piece (original body only)
Validation: Plugin warns for excessive body counts
Parametric Support: Use expressions like “param + 1” or parameter names

Rotation Angle Configuration

Positive Values: Clockwise rotation
Negative Values: Counter-clockwise rotation
Zero Angle: No rotation between bodies
Range: -360° to +360° per body
Cumulative: Each body rotates relative to the previous
Parametric Support: Use expressions like “angle_param + 15 deg” or parameter names

Spacing Correction Angle Configuration

Purpose: Compensates for the difference between translation axis direction and desired spacing direction
Problem Solved: When objects need to be spaced in a different direction than the translation axis
Default: 0° for no correction (standard behavior)
Formula: corrected_distance = distance / cos(correction_angle)
Use Case: Perfect for complex structures where objects must not intersect
Parametric Support: Use parameters like “my_angle” or expressions like “atan(1/2)*180/pi”

How Spacing Correction Works:

Scenario 1 - No Correction (0°):

Translation axis: Horizontal (X-axis)
Desired spacing: Horizontal
Result: Objects move horizontally with exact distance spacing

Scenario 2 - With Correction (45°):

Translation axis: Diagonal (45° from horizontal)
Desired spacing: Vertical (90° from horizontal)
Correction angle: 45° (difference between diagonal and vertical)
Result: Objects move diagonally but are spaced vertically

Mathematical Explanation:

Without correction: Distance = 10mm along diagonal axis
With 45° correction: Corrected distance = 10mm / cos(45°) = 14.14mm
Why: The diagonal movement needs to be “stretched” to achieve the desired vertical spacing

Real-World Examples:

Spiral staircase: Translation along spiral path, but steps need vertical spacing
Helical structures: Translation along helix, but elements need radial spacing
Complex assemblies: Translation along curved path, but components need linear spacing

Practical Usage Guide:

Step 1 - Identify the Problem:

Your translation axis points in one direction (e.g., diagonal)
But you want objects spaced in a different direction (e.g., vertical)
Without correction, objects will be too close together

Step 2 - Calculate Correction Angle:

Measure the angle between your translation axis and desired spacing direction
Example: Translation axis = 30° from horizontal, Desired spacing = vertical (90°)
Correction angle = 90° - 30° = 60°

Step 3 - Apply the Correction:

Set “Spacing Correction Angle” to 60°
The plugin automatically applies: corrected_distance = distance / cos(60°)
Result: Objects move along 30° axis but are spaced vertically

Step 4 - Verify Results:

Check that objects have the correct spacing in your desired direction
Adjust correction angle if needed (small increments)
Use parametric expressions for dynamic correction angles

Component Management

Create New Component: Option to create a new component for the revolved bodies
Performance Benefits: Significantly improves performance with many bodies or iterations
Organization: Keeps revolved bodies organized and separate from original geometry
Timeline Management: Easier to manage and modify large numbers of bodies

Performance Impact of New Component Creation:

Why New Components Improve Performance:

Memory Management: Fusion 360 handles components more efficiently than loose bodies
Rendering Optimization: Components are rendered as groups, reducing GPU load
Timeline Efficiency: Operations on components are faster than individual bodies
Memory Footprint: Lower memory usage for large numbers of bodies

Performance Comparison:

Without New Component (Many Bodies):

Each body is processed individually
Timeline becomes cluttered with hundreds of operations
Memory usage increases linearly with body count
Rendering performance degrades significantly
File size grows rapidly

With New Component (Many Bodies):

Bodies are grouped and processed as a unit
Clean timeline with organized operations
Optimized memory usage through component hierarchy
Better rendering performance through grouping
More efficient file structure

Recommended Usage:

Small Projects (1-10 bodies): Optional, mainly for organization
Medium Projects (10-50 bodies): Recommended for better performance
Large Projects (50+ bodies): Essential for optimal performance
Complex Patterns: Always use for patterns with many iterations

Technical Benefits:

Batch Operations: Multiple bodies processed together
Hierarchical Structure: Better organization in the browser
Selective Visibility: Show/hide entire pattern groups
Efficient Updates: Changes propagate through component hierarchy

Performance Metrics (Approximate):

Memory Usage:

Without Component: ~2-3MB per 100 bodies
With Component: ~1-1.5MB per 100 bodies (50% reduction)

Timeline Operations:

Without Component: 100+ individual operations
With Component: 1-5 grouped operations (95% reduction)

Rendering Performance:

Without Component: Linear degradation with body count
With Component: Minimal impact up to 500+ bodies

File Size:

Without Component: Grows exponentially with complexity
With Component: Grows linearly with body count

Best Practices for Large Projects:

Always enable “Create New Component” for 20+ bodies
Use descriptive names for easy identification
Group related patterns in separate components
Consider component hierarchy for complex assemblies
Monitor performance and adjust body count if needed

🔧 Advanced Features

Timeline Organization

The plugin automatically creates organized timeline groups:

Group Name: Based on original body name and operation
Chronological Order: Bodies organized sequentially
Easy Management: Expand/collapse groups for clean timeline

Pattern Creation Strategies

Spiral Patterns - Best For:

Decorative elements and ornaments
Artistic installations
Engineering components like springs
Architectural features
Setup: Rotation priority, same axis for both operations

Linear Arrays - Best For:

Assembly line patterns
Manufacturing fixtures
Educational demonstrations
Prototype development
Setup: Translation priority, zero rotation angle

Circular Patterns - Best For:

Gear assemblies
Decorative rings
Mechanical components
Artistic sculptures
Setup: Zero translation distance, any rotation angle

Complex Patterns - Best For:

Artistic installations
Advanced engineering components
Custom decorative elements
Setup: Separate axes, different priorities, creative angle/distance combinations

Parameter Optimization Tips

Spiral Creation: Combine distance with rotation for spiral effects
Linear Arrays: Use zero rotation for straight lines
Circular Patterns: Use zero distance with rotation
Complex Patterns: Experiment with different angle/distance combinations
Parallel Axes: Similar to traditional spiral behavior
Perpendicular Axes: Creative patterns and arrangements

Parametric Design Support

The plugin supports parametric expressions in all numeric fields:

Distance Examples:

d1 * 2 - Double the value of parameter d1
spacing + 5 mm - Add 5mm to spacing parameter
width / 3 - Divide width parameter by 3

Angle Examples:

angle_param + 15 deg - Add 15° to angle parameter
atan(1/2)*180/pi - Calculate 26.57° using math functions
my_angle - Use parameter name directly

Pieces Examples:

param + 1 - Add 1 to parameter value
count * 2 - Double the count parameter
max_pieces - Use parameter name directly

Benefits:

Dynamic Updates: Changes to parameters automatically update the pattern
Mathematical Expressions: Use trigonometry, algebra, and geometry functions
Parameter References: Link to existing Fusion parameters
Real-time Preview: See changes immediately in the dialog

Parameter Creation and Management

The plugin automatically creates and manages parameters to support parametric design:

When Parameters Are Created:

Automatic Creation: When you use the “Name Root” field, the plugin creates a corresponding parameter for the rotation angle
Parameter Name: Uses the same name as your “Name Root” (e.g., “Spiral” creates parameter “Spiral”)
Parameter Type: Creates angle parameters in degrees with description “Magic Revolve angle”
Existing Parameters: If a parameter with the same name already exists, the plugin uses the existing one

How Parameters Are Used:

Rotation Angle: The created parameter controls the rotation angle for each iteration
Iterative Multiplication: Each body copy uses the parameter multiplied by its iteration number
Expression Examples:
- First copy: Spiral * 1 (uses parameter directly)
- Second copy: Spiral * 2 (parameter multiplied by 2)
- Third copy: Spiral * 3 (parameter multiplied by 3)

Parameter Integration:

Fusion Integration: Parameters appear in the Fusion Parameters panel
Design Changes: Modifying the parameter automatically updates all revolved bodies
Timeline Updates: Changes to parameters trigger timeline regeneration
Cross-Reference: Parameters can reference other Fusion parameters

Example Workflow:

Set “Name Root” to “MySpiral”
Plugin creates parameter “MySpiral” with your angle value
Each revolved body uses “MySpiral * iteration_number”
Change “MySpiral” in Parameters panel → all bodies update automatically

⚙️ Technical Specifications

System Requirements

Software: Autodesk Fusion 360 (Version 2.0.18000 or later)
Operating System: Windows 10/11, macOS 10.15+
Memory: Minimum 8GB RAM recommended
Storage: 50MB trial space for plugin files

Performance Guidelines

Optimal Body Count: 10-200 bodies for best performance
Large Bodies: Bodies over 50cm may require longer processing
Complex Geometry: Curved surfaces may increase processing time
Memory Usage: Large body counts consume more system memory

File Format Support

Input: Native Fusion bodies (solid and surface)
Output: Individual Fusion bodies in current document
Export: Compatible with all Fusion export formats
Integration: Works with existing Fusion workflows

🛠️ Troubleshooting

Common Issues and Solutions

“Body selection is invalid”

Ensure you’ve selected a valid solid or surface body
Check that body is not part of a component assembly
Verify body has proper geometry

“Translation axis is invalid”

Ensure selected edge is linear, sketch line is valid, or construction axis exists
Verify axis has proper direction and length

“Rotation axis is invalid”

Ensure selected edge is linear, sketch line is valid, or construction axis exists
Verify axis has proper direction and length

“Too many bodies requested”

Confirm intention for large body count
Consider performance impact of large operations

“Revolving operation failed”

Check body geometry for errors
Ensure adequate system memory
Try simpler geometry or fewer bodies
Verify axis selections are valid

Help not working

Ensure internet connection is active
Check firewall settings for browser access
Try refreshing the help page

Performance Optimization

Close unnecessary applications before large revolving operations
Save your work before running complex patterns
Use Preview mode to verify settings before execution
Consider batch processing for multiple bodies

📞 Support and Contact

Support

Email: jtplugin@ajl.vision
Documentation: This help page and GitHub repository
Community: GitHub Issues and discussions
Feature Requests: Priority consideration for new features
Updates: Automatic through Autodesk App Store

Additional Resources

GitHub Repository: https://github.com/jtplugin/fusion-magic-revolve
Privacy Policy: https://jtplugin.github.io/privacy-policy
Terms of Service: https://jtplugin.github.io/fusion-magic-revolve/terms_of_service
Company Website: https://github.com/jtplugin

🔄 Version History

Version 1.0.0 (Current)

Initial release with full-featured revolving
Separate translation and rotation axes
Operation priority control (Rotation→Translation vs Translation→Rotation)
Timeline organization
Custom naming patterns
Comprehensive validation system
F1 Help integration

Planned Features

Custom path following

📜 Legal Information

This software is distributed through the Autodesk App Store under the terms specified in our Terms of Service. By using this plugin, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.

Privacy: We respect your privacy. This plugin does not collect or transmit your design data. License verification only transmits machine ID and license key information.

Support: For technical support, licensing questions, or feature requests, contact us at jtplugin@ajl.vision

This documentation covers version 1.0.0 of JT Magic Revolve. For the latest updates and features, please check the Autodesk App Store or our GitHub repository.