ParametricText
Popis
ParametricText is an Autodesk Fusion® add-in for creating Text Parameters in sketches.
Text parameters can be pure text or use parameter values by using a special syntax. There is also a special parameter, that contains information about the document’s version and saves the date.
All parameters are stored within the document upon saving. The texts are always “rendered” in the sketches, so they can be viewed without having the add-in. However, to correctly update the values, the add-in is needed.
⭐ This add-in is free, but if you like it, please drop a review and tell us about your use case! Drop a review even if you don't like it. (The reviews will also provide feedback for future development)
You can also support me by buying me a coffee (Ko-fi link).
The add-in is licensed under the MIT license.
I can't believe this isn't included in the default program! Helps a lot with tracking my endless 3D print designs.
Thanks. You are my man.
Fusion on Mac
Hi Stephan Cassel, I'm using Fusion on Mac too and was not able to use it, download it several times, installed it, then went to utilities on Fusion, Scripts and Add ons but it wasn't anywhere. Any clue for me ? I really need it to work. When you installed it, does your Mac installed it "Only for you" ? Because I tried to install it for "everyone using this computer" but was not able to do it, unable to change the setup directory too (sent me back to the previous step). If it's a clue, thanks a lot for reading.
Hi Alexandre, I'm not a Mac user, but if you don't get it to work, a workaround could be to uninstall the add-in and then unpack the zip file instead. See "From Github" at https://parametrictext.readthedocs.io/en/stable/installation.html .
Hi Alexandre Dierick. If I remember right I did download the plugin twice because I did not find the plugin under Scripts Add-ins -> My Add-ins. I restarted the Fusion 360 and ParametricText was added. I am not sure if it is "Only for you". I hope you are able to install it soon. It is a master work.
Worked great once I got it in and followed the video. Exactly what I needed
Just what I needed for a project. Works exately as one would hope.
Just to note that it didn't appear in Fusion until the app was restarted. No big deal, but in case anybody thought it didn't work!
Nice job.
It just works - and it's perfect
I'll be using this a lot...
This solved my problem. Thank you for good tutorial video as well!
I am printing jigs, there's often some iteration to each design, then production with the jig, then several months of fighting other battles. By the time I get back to a printed jig I have zero idea what version it was.. manually writing dates sure but this extension.. sweeeeet.
Add-in works for configurations perfectly, until you add your files as external components into an 'assembly'.
There, it doesn't matter which configuration you switch to, it will always show you the last saved active configuration.
So for example, I make 3 configurations: Co1, Co2, Co3 and put them together in 1 assembly file. Then I set each one to be a different configuration (Co1 for component1, Co2 for component2, Co3 for component3). It will still only show Co3 for each component.
I had a part with multiple configurations. To easily identify them, I extruded text on one of the faces with the configuration name. This add-in does this with no drama or coding. Should be taken up as a standard feature in Fusion. Nice job creating this useful tool!
Make a set of radius gauges - did 1 round in millimeters, and figured out that since everything was parameterized, I might as well make an imperial version as well. And while I can recognize most of the decimal values for inch fractions, wouldn't it be nice to have the code have it use the fraction, if entered that way, directly?
Hot digity dang - ParametricText supports it!
Great tool to keep track when printing different variants and then try which one fits best. Use this Addon and emboss the variable that differs in your variants (e.g. radius), it will be updated automatically when changing this parameter. Print 5 variants and never get confused again, when taking them off the print bed.
Works and is easy to use. Thanks!
Using it to auto-generate things like laser kerf test file based on "thickness" parameter. @Thomas is there a way to do math within a text field? E.g. {thickness}+{2*tolerance
Hi, that is not possible. You'll have to create a separate user parameter in Fusion (e.g. "spacing") and refer to it in ParamatricText ("{spacing}"). The "user language"/input method would really benefit from a full overhaul at some point, but, well, time...
Very cool plug-in, easy to use and works great. Thank you!
It works simply, but it does exactly what I need to emboss parameters of the model. And the model doesn't depend on the addon. Thank you!
I really love the idea of this plugin - so thank you very much. Unfortunately on my mac it renders my fusion unusable. It will not start anymore once the plugin is installed. Have to remove it and use autodesk repair tool. Any ideas on this? Would love to give 5 stars but does not work.
I don't have access to a Mac, so it is hard to troubleshoot. The code is exactly the same for Windows and Mac. Possibly, the Fusion diagnostic logs could give some info: Click ? -> Support and Diagnostics -> Diagnostic log files. You can share them to the e-mail thread created by Autodesk.
I made a parametric calibration grid plate for coin magnets and it's so nice to have all the row and column labels update based on my diameter and depth starting parameters.
Works great!
As soon as I try to create a text element, the whole Fusion app crashes. Deleting the add-in immediately fixes the crash, so it's definitely the extension's fault. I'm on MacOS.
Yes it should be a standard feature, and...
My application needed embossed text on a 3d printed part.
1. I found that placing the text on the z=0 plane and offsetting its base to the surface of the part and extruding 0.5mm as a separate component worked well.
2. My part is one of seven pieces and I only wanted one text label turning visibility on/off worked well.All parts in the set had a label, only one piece was selected for emboseed label
3. use app.fireCustomEvent('thomas_ParametriText_Ext_Update') when text changes are complete < adsk.doEvents() too ??? twice??? >
Well done Thomas!
Very happy with its function :) >
This add-in is really usefull, is there an option for part number parameter? Or could you add it please? I would really appreciate it. Thanks for your work
6/5 thx so much!
Should be native feature!
Add text and link text content to a parameter. Perfect. I'd give it 6 stars if I could.
Hi Thomas, I tried to use the addin with configurations by showing the text "price" big on screen. This price is changed when selecting other elements. Then addin only updates if you change the main configuration, but if you change something in the them tables, it does not update. If you want to know more, let me know
Hi, as a hobby user I cannot access configurations. Would you mind showing some screenshots or a video of the problem? To see what events Fusion 360 provides to the add-in, please follow the steps in this comment: https://github.com/thomasa88/ParametricText/issues/56#issuecomment-1656566754 ( Jul 29, 2023). If possible, please post your info to that page as well.
This should be standard functionality.
Works great if you are specifically looking for something to label with versions or numbers.
I would love to see some extra examples of best practices using this plugin, as there will probably be many more ways to use it.
I use this allot, almost for every part as I tend to 3D print and having the version on the part maks it easy to track the chnages. There is still a bug that causes the size of the text to chnage randomly, usually to 20mm.
Hi, please have a look at the following issue report to see if it can solve the problem: https://github.com/thomasa88/ParametricText/issues/29
Very happy I found this AddIn. I'm wondering if there is a way to add "_.configuration"? I'm hoping to use each configuration's name as text.
I have not yet seen a way to access the current configuration from an add-in.
It looks like Fusion 360 will start supporting reading Configurations info soon (Jan-Feb). I have created this issue to track _.configuration progress: https://github.com/thomasa88/ParametricText/issues/58
As I have the hobbyist edition, I cannot create configurations, but maybe I can open a document with configurations. Could you please try this: Create a new document, add at least 2 configurations and name them, File->Share File Link and then I can see if I can open the document and inspect it.
So many options.
I'm using the option to use a comment from my parameter table. The text will engrave part nubmers onto hundreds of pieces. Now the shop workers can easily find the pieces they're looking for!
This is just what I was looking for. This will help me quickly brand my products. Thanks!
I've tried to search for this function in fusion 360, but im surprised it wasn't in built already.
It works execellently, the fact that you can link text to function values is really conveint, I effectively wanted to write the box on a box, and the box is modular.
I linked the text to the box size and now if i change the size of the box, the text updates as well.
Really well made, initinally was a bit confusing until i watched the video and understood what i needed to do.
If i'd give any suggestions, that would make it more natural, it would be to somehow make the new table pop out when you're writing text.
As currently, unless you watch the video you'll never understand how to operate it.
Aside from that it's really well made!
been using your program from quite a while now and its lovely.
But with last update, introducing Configuration table, i had som struggle with text following switching between configurations.
Found out you've made an update to fix this. but this update dosnt work in manufacturing tab. is it a quick fix?
In other words, everything works fine in design tab. but within manufacturing it wont update parametric text when i switch config. Thanks
If things have not changed, I don't think I can use configurations in the hobby version of Fusion 360. So maybe you can help to troubleshoot by following the instructions I wrote Jul 29, to see if there is an event that the add-in can listen to: https://github.com/thomasa88/ParametricText/issues/56#issuecomment-1656566754
Not sure why Fusion360 doesn't have something like this by default, but at least the community is here to save the day. I've been testing this with more customized Filament swatches so I can have the Brand/Type/Color/etc. on the model itself, no issues outside of quirks from F360.
I did have to get used to using the comment block to get custom text, but that was just a training thing as it's a work-around for F360 not allowing text elsewhere.
To be clear, I can totally use the add in as it is now - but my colleagues, who don't have a background in programming, do find it hard to wrap their heads around how to use it.
Some improvements I hope to see in the future:
Thomas A: thanks a bunch for this add in. I find it extremely useful and I am very grateful for your hard work. Any improvements from this point on is just a bonus. And I agree that this ought to be a vanilla feature of F360
I can't understand why Fusion has not buildin it, but this plugin works great!
Like this very much, will make alot of my work easier. I would reccomend you add an automatic scale text to fit tho. Thanks Thomas
This is exactly what I was looking for, surprised it isn't already included in the program.
Perfect, thanks!
A most useful plugin, potentially saves a lot of time and hassle! I use it to automatically engrave dimensions and version numbers onto my 3d prints It's a pity that Autodesk didn't bother to implement parametric text feature. However, this plugin does the job really well and is probably more powerful than what Autodesk would have built.. It seemed a bit unintuitive at first, and I also forgot about that step again later, but once I found out/remembered that I just need to click the sketch text to have it replaced with the chosen expression, all is well.
Thanks a lot Thomas!
Works well once you watch the demo video. The grammar is easy to use and the examples on the "Change Text Params" window is a nice touch.
I do a lot of 3D printed assemblies and having the version numbers, critical dimensions, and assmbly part# values on the geometry itself is invaluable in the field.
Make this a default feature already, Autodesk!
Does exactly what it says on the tin, and makes revisioning for inscriptions super easy, barely an inconvenience!
Your review is what sold me! I wanted something that would leave me saying Wow wow wow wow wow..........wow!
Exactly what I was looking for and it just worked!
Like someone else said, why isn't this already in the base version of Fusion360?
Anyways, excellent work! This makes my life so much easier.
Should be possible with the standard functionality. Since it isn't this add-in fills the gap. Good work!
Have always wanted this ability but never thought to look at Add-Ins and today I did. Tried it on one very simple model that needed one marking driven by the key dimension, and it's done exactly what I wanted. Looking forward to making much more use of this - thank you!
I do a lot of work designing 3D printed parts. Having the ability to automatically embed version information (dimensions, etc) onto those parts is huge for us.
In our project, we have multiple manufacturing processes, and we have to do a lot of "trial and error" testing. A 3D print gets used to make a mold which gets used to make a casting which gets fed into a CNC process, etc.
To keep that all straight, we include version information on the surface of each print. But maintaining that by hand was an error-prone pain.
This plugin is really helping to tighten up our process. Thank you!!!
This is really great! Thank you so much for putting this together, it's exactly what I was looking for.
Many thanks for the latest update - the {newline} feature is magic 😎
I was building a sleeve for IC sockets, and wanted the number of pins to be embossed on the lid, so I wanted something that would take the parameter of the number of pins for the text to emboss.
This does it quickly and easily. I just had to figure out that the formatting of {pins:.0f} would get rid of the ".0" on the end.
THANKS!
It just works.
I create objects for my 3D printers to test tolerances and things of that nature. I will often have text right on the side of an object so I can tell what a certain dimension is. This will save me a lot of time by not having to go into the sketch where the text is each time and change it. Not to mention, I would sometimes change the text, but forget to change the parameter. Now I can do it all from the parameters window. Game changer.
Exactly what I needed. I miss this feature after switching from Onshape. Thanks!
Great plugin. Excellent for embedding product revs, patt numbers, and a myriad of other uses. Support is great as wel.
It will be better if a parameter autofill/selector and value preview could be added.
I have to open Change Parameters and copy the names first. Cause Fusion has the parameter autofill, I never remember the parameter names.
Exactly what I was looking for.
Been looking for this! Works perfectly.
I can finally automatically engrave the size of pieces !
Thank you very much dear Thomas, the editor should give you a medal (in real gold) !
Glad to finally have this basic functionality to version my parts and embed paramentric details.
Hi thanjs for this nice and handy app !
Used for engraved text on part and makes text update much more easy and fast.
Only issue I've met is it seems to choke on parameters without units:
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Fusion 360
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Copy this message using Ctrl+C:
C:\Users\tarax\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\ApplicationPlugins\ParametricText.bundle\Contents\thomasa88lib\events.py failed:
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "C:/Users/tarax/AppData/Roaming/Autodesk/ApplicationPlugins/ParametricText.bundle/Contents\thomasa88lib\events.py", line 141, in catcher
func(args)
File "C:/Users/tarax/AppData/Roaming/Autodesk/ApplicationPlugins/ParametricText.bundle/Contents/ParametricText.py", line 356, in map_cmd_execute_handler
save(cmd)
File "C:/Users/tarax/AppData/Roaming/Autodesk/ApplicationPlugins/ParametricText.bundle/Contents/ParametricText.py", line 377, in save
sketch_text.text = evaluate_text(text)
File "C:/Users/tarax/AppData/Roaming/Autodesk/ApplicationPlugins/ParametricText.bundle/Contents/ParametricText.py", line 458, in evaluate_text
shown_text = SUBST_PATTERN.sub(sub_func, text)
File "C:/Users/tarax/AppData/Roaming/Autodesk/ApplicationPlugins/ParametricText.bundle/Contents/ParametricText.py", line 442, in sub_func
value = design.fusionUnitsManager.convert(param.value, "internalUnits", param.unit)
File "C:/Users/tarax/AppData/Local/Autodesk/webdeploy/production/81fe16c330656df1a293195f4c169d3f2a29c315/Api/Python/packages\adsk\fusion.py", line 15775, in convert
return _fusion.FusionUnitsManager_convert(self, *args)
RuntimeError: 3 : Bad units parameter
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OK
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Thanks for sharing. Keep the good code coming :-)
Hi, thank you for reporting this. Believe it or not, I actually hit the exact same problem today. I'm planning to submit the next version in the coming days, but it might take 1-2 weeks due to the review process. However, if you want to, you can try the beta here: https://github.com/thomasa88/ParametricText/releases/tag/v1.1.0-beta.4 You will need to uninstall the version downloaded from here and then follow the instructions in the readme: https://github.com/thomasa88/ParametricText/blob/v1.1.0-beta.4/README.md If you don't uninstall the store version first, you will get errors when the beta and the released version tries to run at the same time.
v1.1.0 with the unit fix is now published!