Learning Targets
- Plan a base feature from technical documentation.
- Create a fully constrained base sketch.
- Use Extrude and Inspect/Measure to build and verify the primary solid.
IED Unit 2 • Lesson 2.5
Creating 3D Parts with Extrude — Bracket 3
Focus question: How can a 2D sketch be transformed into an accurate 3D part?
Your lesson guide
Objective
Plan a base feature from technical documentation. Create a fully constrained base sketch. Use Extrude and Inspect/Measure to build and verify the primary solid.
Materials
For the online work: a browser and your engineering notebook. Follow the activity’s materials list for any physical build, and get teacher approval before using equipment.
Plan your time
Suggested work block: 45–60 minutes. Physical builds and projects may span several classes; follow your teacher’s schedule.
Lesson Overview
What You Are Learning
How to Approach the Work
Use the instructor demonstration to understand the tool or design decision, then complete the assigned work independently and verify the result before submission.
LearnModelVerifyReviseSubmit
Reference Resources
Bracket 3 Reference Model and Sketch
Use the 3D model to understand the geometry and the three drawing PDFs as your main references while building the part.
Loading model…
Drag to rotate • Scroll or pinch to zoom
Overall dimensions: 3.000 × 2.000 × 1.250 in
Display
Standard Views
Viewer Controls
Important: Use the interactive viewer to interpret shape, orientation, and feature location. Use the downloaded Bracket 3 drawing views as the main drawing references for your CAD model.
Recommended workflow: Keep the Bracket 3 drawing PDFs open while modeling. Use the 3D viewer when you need help interpreting the part geometry, and use the drawing views as your primary 2D references.
Assignment
Creating 3D Parts with Extrude — Bracket 3
You will begin modeling Bracket 3 using the technical drawing you created in Unit 1. This is the first part of one continuous model that will continue through Lessons 2.6 and 2.7.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Open the correct source information: Have your Bracket 3 technical documentation visible before modeling. Identify the best base face and the overall thickness of the part.
- Create the base sketch: Choose the origin plane that most directly matches the primary view of Bracket 3. Sketch the outside profile of the base geometry and fully constrain it using the dimensions from the drawing.
- Check the sketch before extruding: Confirm that the profile is closed and that every critical base dimension matches the technical drawing.
- Create the first solid feature: Use Extrude to give the base sketch the specified thickness. Make sure the operation creates a new solid body and that the direction and distance are correct.
- Verify the model: Use Inspect/Measure to check the overall width, height, and thickness. If a dimension is wrong, edit the original sketch or Extrude feature instead of adding corrective geometry.
- Keep the Timeline organized: Rename the base sketch or Extrude feature if directed by the instructor. Do not create holes, cuts, fillets, or chamfers yet.
Before You Submit
- Base sketch matches the Unit 1 drawing.
- Extrude thickness is correct.
- Overall dimensions verify correctly.
- Only the base solid exists at the end of the lesson.
Submission
What You Will Submit
File requirements: Continue working in the same Bracket 3 cloud design through Lessons 2.5–2.7. For this lesson submission, create a snapshot with File → Export → Fusion 360 Archive Files (*.f3d). Do not create a separate cloud design just for submission.
LockwoodSTEM Tutorial
Lesson Video
LockwoodSTEM Tutorial — IED 2.5
Use this instructor-recorded tutorial to review the Fusion skills demonstrated for this lesson. Pause, rewind, and follow along in your own Fusion file as needed.
Resources
Lesson Resources
IED Unit 2
Return to the Unit 2 lesson list and course sequence.
Introduction to Engineering Design
Return to the IED course hub for units, resources, certifications, and current course information.
Build your lesson report
Checkpoint: is your evidence ready?
- Check calculations, units, labels, and measurements against the activity requirements.
- Record what actually happened, including unexpected results.
- Explain what you changed and why; attach required drawings, photos, CAD, or code in your classroom assignment.
Fusion archive snapshot: current Bracket 3 model exported as LastName_FirstName_2_5_Bracket3.f3d. Isometric screenshot: base model with Browser and Timeline visible. Save as LastName_FirstName_2_5_Bracket3.png. File requirements: Continue working in the same Bracket 3 cloud design through Lessons 2.5–2.7. For this lesson submission, create a snapshot with File → Export → Fusion 360 Archive Files (*.f3d). Do not create a separate cloud design just for submission.
A PDF download is not a submission. Review it, then upload it and any required attachments through your classroom assignment system.