Flat Pattern Failure

[robert.hogben]

When creating a flat pattern on a very simple object eg a washer, the pattern is generated on the side view (rectangle representing curving face of the washer) rather than the plan view, even though the plan view of the washer is selected when generating the flat pattern. Flat Pattern icon is coloured in red. Unable to change the flat pattern to show the plan view of the washer.

[davebYYPCU]

You flat pattern is failing / Illegal.

No part of your part is bent.

What do you think should happen?  

The "other" orientation you mention will be identical to the sketch.

[robert.hogben]

Thanks for your quick response.

Even though the part does not have any bends, I use the flat pattern to produce a .dxf for laser cutting. When I create a flat pattern for a part without bends, it sometimes creates a plan view of the part which I can then use without difficulty, but at other times, such as this, it produces a flat pattern based on the side view - which I cannot use as the basis for a .dxf export.

[davebYYPCU · Accepted solution]

You don't need  sheet metal or Flat pattern for that.

Save (Sketch) as DXF, 

Or use DXFer from GitHub.

Might help...

[robert.hogben]

For clarity - If the flat pattern does not generate correctly and allow you to export a .dxf file showing the plan view of your component (eg for laser cutting), then you can right click on the sketch in the navigation browser bar to get the option "Save as DXF" and convert the sketch to a .dxf file.

[davebYYPCU]

Save dxf for Sketch is a normal workflow, that is limited, 

a) one file per sketch. (13 sketches - 13 files) 

b) Sketches can hold more or insufficient detail than required, (you can’t dxf part of a sketch)

DXFer is a Script / Addin, that allows you to make one dxf File containing all the part planar faces from the model, as required, user does the nesting, in the dxf reader.

Example a hinged box with lid and dividers.  Walls are different thickness to the dividers.

DXFer will make the file for walls, clicking on Side and Front. 

And the second file for the dividers, lid and floor, etc.

Flat Pattern works for sheetmetal, that will later be bent into finished shape, that DXFer can’t do.

Might help...