Changing orientation of flat pattern

[Nikola_Perunmoto]

Hi folks. 

I designed sheet metal component (motorcycle luggage rack). Picture below. 

Model orientation is Z up, here is the picture of top view with X axis marked.

And I created flat pattern. Picture below, with added X axis and blue line. 

Is there a way to change orientation of flat pattern? As shown on the upper picture, it is positioned weird related to X axis. I would like to rotate it so "blue line" is parallel to X axis.

I would like to do that because we are machining our parts and making CAM setup will be much easier if I could change orientation of flat pattern.

Any ideas?

[Anonymous]

I have finally got a solution to this problem!!!
1) Create an offset plane to the plane you use as reference
2) Use align tool, first choose offset plane, then side of sheet metal part to be used as reference
3) Presto, you do not need Invenor or any other software. Should have been working properly from the box, but still.

No measurement errors, all precise.

[barry9UDQ6]

You do have the option of using a reference line to rotate from on the 2d drawing. No need to try and measure the angle?

[Anonymous]

What works for me:

1: Delete flat pattern

2: Temporarily change model such that all geometry is with right angles, with preferred orientation

    (Usually I simply roll back to the point before I added angled cuts and flanges)

3: Create new flat pattern

4: Undo changes to the model

5: Update flat pattern

This can still result in a flat pattern rotated 90 degrees.

[MDillehayX95M4]

Create an offset plane from a face that is acceptable as a front view.

Right click that view and select "look at"

Bottom right of the view cube you will see a down arrow, click it and select "set current view as" then select front or top.

When you create drawing from design, it will have a usable orientation.

[jasonhomrighaus]

its an issue if you are submitting it to a third party IE Send-Cut-Send.  Rotated it will fit in their production window, squared up its too long and delays ordering.

[jasonhomrighaus]

I exported to a DXF and then uploaded that again and then rotated the sketches.  however when I then submit that DXF for cutting it says it has open entities, 

[MDillehayX95M4]

How do you create the DXF for cutting? When I do it, I create a flat pattern, then create a new sketch and project the face of the flat pattern and export that sketch as a DXF. I have not had any issues with this method. I email it to another person who will burn the file on a laser and everything has worked so far even when they rotate the file.