SheetMetal Unfold

SheetMetal Unfold
Menu location
SheetMetal → Unfold
Workbenches
SheetMetal
Default shortcut
U
Introduced in version
-
See also
SheetMetal UnattendedUnfold

Description

The SheetMetal Unfold command unfolds a sheet metal object.

Usage

1. Select a planar face of the sheet metal part.
2. There are several ways to invoke the command:
   • Press the Unfold button.
   • Select the Sheet Metal → Unfold option from the menu.
   • Right-click in the Tree view or the 3D view and select the Sheet Metal → Unfold option from the context menu.
   • Use the keyboard shortcut: U.
3. An Unfold object is created and the Unfold sheet metal object Task panel opens.
   • Optionally press the Face button and select a different planar face to re-position the Unfold object.
   • If you don't use a Material Definition Sheet (see Notes) set Material Settings:
     1. Set the Material Definition Sheet option to Manual K-Factor.
     2. Adjust the Manual K-Factor value (see Notes).
     3. Optionally toggle the ANSI or DIN radio buttons (see Notes).
   • If you need 2D geometry to export set Unfold Sketch Generation options:
     1. Check Generate projection sketch
     2. An Unfold_Sketch object is added to the Unfold object.
     3. Optionally adjust the color of the Unfold_Sketch object.
     4. To separate bend lines and internal lines from perimeter lines:
        • check Separate projection layers.
        • An Unfold_Sketch_Bends object and an Unfold_Sketch_Internal object are added to the Unfold object.
        • Optionally adjust Bend lines color and Internal lines color.
     5. Optionally toggle the export file format via DXF and SVG radio buttons.
     6. Press the Export button to open the Export unfold sketch dialog and save the file.
   • Optionally adjust the Unfold Transparency.
   • If you prefer to disable automatic updates: Check Manual update.
     • Press the Update button to apply changes made within the task panel.
4. Press the OK button to finish the command and close the task panel.
5. Optionally adjust the parameters in the Property editor.

Task panel

A Task panel was introduced in version 0.6.10

Double-click an existing Unfold object in the Tree view to re-open the task panel and edit the parameters.

• Material Definition Sheet: Toggles the Material Sheet property.
• Manual K-Factor: Sets the KFactor property.
• Standard: Radio buttons toggle the KFactor Standard property.
• Generate projection sketch checkbox: Toggles the Generate Sketch property and activates:
  • Top color selector for the Unfold_Sketch object.
  • Separate projection layers checkbox: Toggles the Separate Sketch Layers property and activates:
    • Bend lines color color selector for the Unfold_Sketch_Bends object.
    • Internal lines color color selector for the Unfold_Sketch_Internal object.
  • DXF and SVG radio buttons: Toggle the export file format.
  • Export button: Opens the Export unfold sketch dialog to save the export file.
• Unfold Transparency: Sets the Transparency view property of the Unfold object.
• Manual update checkbox: Toggles the Manual Recompute property and activates:
  • Update button: Enables to update the Unfold object and the related Sketches while the task panel is open.

Notes

• See the Material Definition Sheet and K-factor sections of the project page for more information.
• For an explanation of the different value ranges of ISO and ANSI K-factors see the table on this page (in German).
• A new SheetMetal Unfolder was introduced in version 0.7.0. A Revert To Old Unfolder preference was also added.

Properties

See also: Property editor.

A SheetMetal Unfold object is derived from a Part Feature object and inherits all its properties. It has no additional properties.

Limitations

• The sheet metal should have a constant thickness.
• Flat faces should not contain split lines.
• Flat faces must be truly planar and not B-spline approximations.
• Faces of bend angles must be truly cylindrical and also not B-spline approximations.
• Versions before 0.5.00: The Unfold feature is not parametric. If the model is modified you have to unfold it again.