SM_MODEL_ERROR and proper sheet metal etiquette

[dchristensen12a]

Having an issue generating a flat pattern from a solid body. Basically what I will need to do to make the part once I've fit checked everything with 3d printed parts is unfold it and generate a dxf to feed to the laser to cut out a part. I'm uncomfortably outside of my wheelhouse here, as my day to day life involves machining parts from solid rather than sheet metal work, so bear with me...

So far I have tried:

-Directly converting the solid body into a sheet metal part and using "generate flat pattern"

-results in a model error, tells me to check the model and "try again.SM_MODEL_ERROR"

-to eliminate the possibilty of thickness errors, Surface>offset one side of the model -> thicken that surface to my sheet metal thickness -> convert that into sheet metal -> generate flat pattern or unfold

-both generate the same SM_MODEL_ERROR

I'm doing something wrong, just not sure what.

[g-andresen]

Hi,

Simply create a sheet metal body directly from the sketch and not via a solid with subsequent conversion.
This way you will also get the correct bending radii.

günther