Feature Request - Creating an assembly of external sheet metal flat patterns

[jesse.lamphere]

I have several sheet metal parts that I want to arrange into an assembly model for machining on a router. After doing a lot of searching here, I have seen several multi-step workarounds to bring in snapshots of flat patterns, but frankly they seem to fall on a spectrum from confusing to outright daunting.

Would it be feasible to allow users to select the flat pattern of external sheet metal components so they can be arranged for machining? Is this already easily accomplished and I just don't know it?

[HughesTooling · Accepted solution]

From the design with the flat patterns, select Derive from the create menu.

Then select the flat patterns from the browser.

When you click OK a new design is created with your flat patterns.

You can then pattern the components.

If you have the manufacture extension you can create nesting directly from the manufacture models without needing to use derive.

[HughesTooling · Accepted solution]

You can also use Insert - Derive to add flat patters from several designs.

[jesse.lamphere]

@HughesTooling Mark,

This is EXACTLY what I was looking for, thanks!!