Sheet metal
Model bent-metal parts that unfold to a manufacturable flat pattern — and export it as DXF.
Sheet-metal parts are solids with a constant thickness and real bends — so the part can unfold into the flat blank a laser cutter or press brake needs.
Building
- Base Flange — sketch the outline (closed → a flat plate; an open L/U-profile → bent walls), set thickness and the bend radius.
- Edge Flange — pick a straight edge, set length and angle; the bend and its relief are added for you.
- Extend with: Miter Flange (a run of edges), Hem (folded-over safety edge), Jog (Z-step), Sketched Bend (bend along a drawn line), Tab and Tab & Slot for self-locating joints.
- Cut holes and openings with a normal cut — it cuts normal to the sheet, and a Vent builds louvred openings in one step.
Flatten & export
- Flatten toggles the flat-pattern preview — every bend unfolded using the bend allowance (K-factor) so lengths are production-true.
- Export DXF writes the flat pattern with bend lines for the laser/waterjet.
Converting an existing solid
Convert to Sheet Metal takes a thin-walled solid, you pick the fixed face and rip edges, and it becomes bendable.
When it fails
- Flange overlaps its neighbour — shorten one flange or add a corner treatment.
- Flatten refuses — some faces aren't part of the bend model (e.g. a cross-sheet boss); suppress the offending feature, flatten, export, then unsuppress.
Related: Extrude (boss & cut) · 2D drawings · Import a DXF profile