topic Re: Starting with flat pattern, then making into 3d in Fusion Design, Validate & Document Forum

Starting with flat pattern, then making into 3d

j_y_de_laat — Tue, 28 Jan 2025 09:32:50 GMT

Im trying to model a cardbox box in 3d using fusion. For this I thought the sheet metal interface would be nice, since it is essentially the same thing. I already have a 2d flat pattern (custom) on paper/different software. I just want to draw it in 2d, and let fusion make it fold it into 3d. But I cant seem to get it to work. I have tried looking online for documentation but have been unable to find anything that goes 2d->3d instead of the other way around.

Would anybody be able to help me? Or point me to some documentation about this. Many thanks!

Re: Starting with flat pattern, then making into 3d

stropkat — Tue, 28 Jan 2025 10:50:24 GMT

Hi, this is not possible in fusion. You maybe can try other CAD software like solidworks.

Re: Starting with flat pattern, then making into 3d

TheCADWhisperer — Tue, 28 Jan 2025 14:49:35 GMT

@stropkat wrote:
Hi, ~~this is not possible in fusion~~. You maybe can try other CAD software like solidworks.

@stropkat

Uhm, where are you getting your information?

I have done many cardboard boxes in Fusion.

Re: Starting with flat pattern, then making into 3d

TheCADWhisperer — Tue, 28 Jan 2025 14:51:19 GMT

@j_y_de_laat

Can you Attach image examples here?

Can you File>Export your *.f3d file to your local drive and then Attach it here to a Reply?

Be careful where you get your information.

Re: Starting with flat pattern, then making into 3d

j_y_de_laat — Tue, 28 Jan 2025 15:10:50 GMT

Unfortunately I'm not allowed to share the actual design, so I made this to illustrate my problem. Say I have a sketch like this, with parameters a,b,c.
How do I start out with just a 2d drawing, where I draw the bend lines myself (obvious where they need to go for a box). I do not want to first draw a 3d version as it is quite complex. When drawing this in "Sketch mode", and Extrude it, all of the interior boundaries are immediately lost, and thus I need to draw all of them again as a bend line? The bend function seems to work terrible in general.

Re: Starting with flat pattern, then making into 3d

TheCADWhisperer — Tue, 28 Jan 2025 15:47:31 GMT

This is easy, but if you can't Attach your attempt, I can't help.

Maybe someone else can jump in here.

You should be able to create a dummy file that does not release any proprietary data.

BTW, for an experienced user it is actually much much easier to model the box in finished form and have Fusion figure out the Flat Pattern than to go from a Flat Pattern and fold it up. I guarantee this. I could demonstrate with your actual geometry.

Re: Starting with flat pattern, then making into 3d

laughingcreek — Tue, 28 Jan 2025 15:52:55 GMT

some place to start.

Re: Starting with flat pattern, then making into 3d

Warmingup1953 — Tue, 28 Jan 2025 18:40:27 GMT

Are you starting with a Pepakura Designer type of output?...not as simple as your Cube laid flat?

Re: Starting with flat pattern, then making into 3d

j_y_de_laat — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 13:39:44 GMT

Hi! Thanks. This is exactly what I want. I'm trying to look at your example to see what you did different (Im sorry but I'm not very experienced in Fusion). You use the flange tool as the second step, but when i try this all my interior lines disappear:

Then, using Flange:

After which I cannot use the bend tool, since it does not recognize any lines.

Re: Starting with flat pattern, then making into 3d

laughingcreek — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 15:42:29 GMT

turn your sketch back on.

while you're at it you might want to deselect this setting in your preferences-

Re: Starting with flat pattern, then making into 3d

j_y_de_laat — Thu, 30 Jan 2025 14:06:25 GMT

Thank you so much! I can't believe this was it. So simple.

Re: Starting with flat pattern, then making into 3d

TheCADWhisperer — Thu, 30 Jan 2025 14:29:45 GMT

@j_y_de_laat wrote:
Thank you so much! I can't believe this was it. So simple.

@j_y_de_laat

Unfortunately, it isn't so simple.

The results don't make logical sense.

(Actually, it is simple if modeled in finished form.)