How to export sheet metal body from multi-body file?

[benjamincowd]

I've got a multi-body part. Some of the bodies are sheet metal, and I'd like to export them as .ipt or .iges to have them cut and bent by a lasercutting shop. I feel like this is a fairly simple thing, but after hunting and failing to find a simple solution, here I am.

I can't convert the bodies to components because they're sheet metal (I don't know why, but that's the error message I'm getting).

If I right-click on the body the only export option is "save as mesh" which gives STL, OBJ, etc. as options, not .ipt or .iges .

I don't see any other options, except extreme ones like saving a copy and deleting all the other bodies? I'm sure I'm missing something, but... what?

Thanks!

[jhackney1972]

You have not supplied your model but if you want to Convert your Sheet Metal bodies to Components, this Blog Article and Video will help.  If you attach your model, the Forum users may be able to help further.

[benjamincowd · Accepted solution]

After some experimenting, I figured out that the simplest solution (for me at least) is to just use Derive to create a new part file with the single body. The command is under the Create menu in Solid modeling. 

The Derived part is not sheet metal, but it will update with the geometry in the original model. Converting the Derived part to sheet metal is simple. The Derived part can then be exported as .ipt, .iges, etc.

I appreciate @jhackney1972  for the method he posted. It's a bit more complicated than I think it ought to be (but then, that describes almost everything about Fusion 360). It remains unclear why a sheet metal bodies cannot just become components like any other body, or why export options are so inconsistent and confusing.