Use flat pattern in sheet metal

You can create a flat pattern from a sheet metal model and display the correct flat pattern.

Create a flat pattern from a sheet metal model

With a single body sheet metal body open, on the Sheet Metal tab, select Create > Create Flat Pattern .
Select the stationary face from which all flanges are unfolded.
Click OK. The flat pattern is created, and displays.
- A Flat Pattern node is created in the Browser.
To return to the folded model, click Finish Flat Pattern .

Switch between folded pattern and flat pattern

In the Browser, click the Activate Flat Pattern radio button.

Update an out-of-date flat pattern

If a flat pattern is out-of-date with the current sheet metal geometry, it displays as Out-Of-Date in the Browser.

To update the flat pattern, simply activate it using the Activate Flat Pattern radio button in the Browser. Or, right-click and select Update Flat Pattern .

To return to the folded model, click Exit Flat in the toolbar.

Note: You can only create one flat pattern per sheet metal component. If you edit try to create a second flat pattern, a warning displays, and you can activate the existing flat pattern to update it.

Delete a flat pattern

In the Browser, hover over the flat pattern node, right-click and select Delete.

Tips

A folded model must have at least one flat surface for a flat pattern to be generated.