Exporting Flat Pattern to STEP FILE

[Anonymous]

HI Forum,

I am a fusion360 User.  I am using inventor  for its sheet metal function. The program works great and does what I want it to do; but  I am having trouble converting the flat model to a step or 3d model as Fusion360 generates its CNC/ CAM profiles from a 3d MODEL. 

I know I can export it to a DXF and extrude it but that is doubling up the work.

Any suggestions will be appreciated.

Thank you!

-Bjorn

[Anonymous]

HI Forum,

I am a fusion360 User.  I am using inventor  for its sheet metal function. The program works great and does what I want it to do; but  I am having trouble converting the flat model to a step or 3d model as Fusion360 generates its CNC/ CAM profiles from a 3d MODEL. 

I know I can export it to a DXF and extrude it but that is doubling up the work.

Any suggestions will be appreciated.

Thank you!

-Bjorn

[mcgyvr · Accepted solution]

Use the "unfold" feature to unfold all the bends then save copy as step file

[mcgyvr · Accepted solution]

Use the "unfold" feature to unfold all the bends then save copy as step file

[TheCADWhisperer]

You can save as a 3D model (*.sat) by right clicking on the Flat Pattern node in the browser - rather than right clicking on the part face.

Fusion will open this 3D file by File>New Design from File...

[TheCADWhisperer]

You can save as a 3D model (*.sat) by right clicking on the Flat Pattern node in the browser - rather than right clicking on the part face.

Fusion will open this 3D file by File>New Design from File...

[mcgyvr]

---

@TheCADWhisperer wrote:

You can save as a 3D model by right clicking on the Flat Pattern node in the browser - rather than right clicking on the part face.

---

That only gives "SAT/DWG/DXF" options

[mcgyvr]

---

@TheCADWhisperer wrote:

You can save as a 3D model by right clicking on the Flat Pattern node in the browser - rather than right clicking on the part face.

---

That only gives "SAT/DWG/DXF" options

[Anonymous]

Works Perfectly!

[Anonymous]

Works Perfectly!

[TheCADWhisperer]

---

@Anonymous wrote:

.... the flat model to a step or 3d model as Fusion360 

---

Save as SAT solid body from Inventor worked for me.

[TheCADWhisperer]

---

@Anonymous wrote:

.... the flat model to a step or 3d model as Fusion360 

---

Save as SAT solid body from Inventor worked for me.

[Anonymous]

The problem I had was when I turned it into a "flat Pattern" rather than unfolding it. 

In a flat pattern im only able to save that out as a DWG , DXF and SAT.  But If I unfold it it will save it as a step "flattened".

Thanks !

-Bjorn

[Anonymous]

The problem I had was when I turned it into a "flat Pattern" rather than unfolding it. 

In a flat pattern im only able to save that out as a DWG , DXF and SAT.  But If I unfold it it will save it as a step "flattened".

Thanks !

-Bjorn

[TheCADWhisperer]

---

@Anonymous wrote:

The problem I had was when I turned it into a "flat Pattern" rather than unfolding it. 

---

I did not use Unfold.

I specifically stated:

Right click on the Flat Pattern node and save as a solid (*.sat ACIS file).

I can open that 3D model directly in Fusion (as indicated in the image that I attached).

[TheCADWhisperer]

---

@Anonymous wrote:

The problem I had was when I turned it into a "flat Pattern" rather than unfolding it. 

---

I did not use Unfold.

I specifically stated:

Right click on the Flat Pattern node and save as a solid (*.sat ACIS file).

I can open that 3D model directly in Fusion (as indicated in the image that I attached).

[mcgyvr]

---

@TheCADWhisperer wrote:

---

@Anonymous wrote:

The problem I had was when I turned it into a "flat Pattern" rather than unfolding it. 

---

I did not use Unfold.

I specifically stated:

Right click on the Flat Pattern node and save as a solid (*.sat ACIS file).

I can open that 3D model directly in Fusion (as indicated in the image that I attached).

---

Yes... the SAT format does allow 3d geometry to be transferred between programs.. It will work too without the need to unfold..

[mcgyvr]

---

@TheCADWhisperer wrote:

---

@Anonymous wrote:

The problem I had was when I turned it into a "flat Pattern" rather than unfolding it. 

---

I did not use Unfold.

I specifically stated:

Right click on the Flat Pattern node and save as a solid (*.sat ACIS file).

I can open that 3D model directly in Fusion (as indicated in the image that I attached).

---

Yes... the SAT format does allow 3d geometry to be transferred between programs.. It will work too without the need to unfold..

[FProcp]

We have a Plasma/Oxy Plate cutting machine and I export dxf's from Inventor for cutting on it.

The Plate Cutter reads dxf's and also reads Step files but will NOT read Sat files.

The nice thing about bringing Step files into the Plate Cutter is it knows the thickness of the plate and I don't have to manually set it. It would be nice to use Step files from Inventor.

I wish Inventor could do a "Save Copy As" from the flat pattern to a "Step file".

[FProcp]

We have a Plasma/Oxy Plate cutting machine and I export dxf's from Inventor for cutting on it.

The Plate Cutter reads dxf's and also reads Step files but will NOT read Sat files.

The nice thing about bringing Step files into the Plate Cutter is it knows the thickness of the plate and I don't have to manually set it. It would be nice to use Step files from Inventor.

I wish Inventor could do a "Save Copy As" from the flat pattern to a "Step file".