Flat Pattern "Situation"
 

I was wondering if it is possible to get a curved, or "bent" piece of sheetmetal, and then turn it into a flat pattern. The general trends in inventor dont allow stuff like this, but i was wondering if there was something i missed. A common application of this would be like the planks used on the hull of a boat (generally cut and then shaped after being steamed).

alright, from what i hear, sheet metal is going to vastly improved in version twelve, and hopefully allow this sort of thing if it isnt already possible. input?

Re: Flat Pattern "Situation"
 

Inventor has a "Flat Pattern" tool when working with sheetmetal parts. Is this what you are looking for?

Re: Flat Pattern "Situation"
 

not specifically. Read my boat example again. To design a boat you need to bend the sheets of plywood to contour to a hull shape. Making these in a sheet metal part file, and then flattening them would give you approximate measurements of the sizes of plywood sheets. i hate myself for asking this question btw because im pretty sure you cant do it. My only concern is whether you can at least do it in 12, because i heard sheet metal is going to be improved substantially.

Re: Flat Pattern "Situation"
 

Are you actually making a boat with inventor?

I designed a boat with inventor, but I found it far easier to draw each frame and then use a loft to create the hull.

Re: Flat Pattern "Situation"
 

The only qway to get curved peices, like if you're modeling a shaver or a boat, is with the loft tool. This will get you the effect you need.

Re: Flat Pattern "Situation"
 

alright. I guess lofts are thway to go then. Thanks for the help. btw doesn anyone know the new sheetmetal featres that are supposed to be introduced in twelve?