Batch exporting flat patterns from the assembly and multi-body part

This module lets you batch-export flat patterns from the components of the active assembly or from a multi-body part.

All types of solid bodies are supported. The tool finds the best orientation and method for exporting the flat pattern. Refer to Generating Flat Pattern for more information

You can customize the output file names and optionally include an etching note in the flat pattern with a flexible value.

The export process is shown in the progress dialog. Different types of solid bodies are marked with the corresponding icon (e.g. sheet metal, weldment, flat plate or solid body).

You can cancel the process at any time.

Input Page

1. Input filter
   • Selected Bodies. Enables the selection box to select bodies or components from the active model manually
   • Sheet Metal. Processes all sheet metal bodies in the part or assembly. Refer Generating flat pattern of sheet metal bodies
   • Weldment. Processes all structural member (weldment) bodies in the part or assembly. Refer Generating flat pattern of weldment bodies
   • Flat Plate. Processes all flat plate bodies in the part or assembly. Refer Generating flat pattern of flat plate bodies
   • Solid Bodies. Processes all solid bodies in the part or assembly. Refer Generating flat pattern of solid bodies
   • All Bodies. Processes all bodies in the part or assembly
2. Selection box for selecting bodies or components to process if the filter is set to Selected Bodies
3. Output folder for the flat pattern files. If empty, files are saved to the same directory as the input part or assembly. A relative or absolute path can be specified in this box
4. Output naming template. Specify the extension of the output (e.g. .dxf, .dwg, .pdf etc.) Refer Expression Box Control for more information. Supported variables:
   • File Name - name of the file without extension flat pattern is generated from
   • Custom Property - value of the specified custom-property
   • Cut-List Custom Property - value of the specified cut-list custom property
   • Item Number - cut-list item number (used in the BOM and Cut-List tables)
   • Quantity - quantity of the cut-list. This is the quantity of the cut-list body within the part multiplied by the total quantity of the part in the assembly
   • Configuration - name of the referenced configuration of the body's component
   • Cut-List/Body Name - name of the cut-list or body
5. Output options for generating the flat pattern
   • Geometry Only - only geometry is included in the output
   • Bend Lines - includes bend lines in the flat pattern
   • Bend Notes - adds bend notes to the flat pattern
   • Sketches - includes visible sketches in the flat pattern
6. Option to add custom note onto the flat pattern
7. Value of the custom note. Supports the same variables as the Output Name Template box. Refer Expression Box Control for more information.
8. Orientation of the custom note
   • Horizontal - orient note horizontally
   • Vertical - orient note vertically
   • Auto - find the best orientation direction for the note based on the width and height of the flat pattern
9. Dock location of the custom note
   • Top Left - positions the note in the top left corner
   • Bottom Left - positions the note in the bottom left corner
   • Top Right - positions the note in the top right corner
   • Bottom Right - positions the note in the bottom right corner
   • Center - positions the note in the center
10. Margins of the custom note
11. Color of the custom note
12. Option to assign the custom font size to the note
13. Type of the font size
14. Size of the font

Generating Flat Pattern

The tool generates the output flat pattern differently depending on the type of geometry

Sheet Metal

For sheet metal bodies, the tool creates a single flat pattern view and outputs it to the specified format.

Weldment

For structural member bodies (weldments), the tool creates 2 views based on the orientation of the profile (top and side views)

Flat Plate

A flat plate is a solid body of constant thickness. It does not necessarily contain a sheet metal feature. The tool finds the largest planar face and calculates the orientation based on the best-fit bounding box relative to that face. A single view is generated.

Solid Body

Any solid body that does not fall into any of the above categories is treated as a solid body. 3 views are created for this body based on the orientation of the best-fit bounding box.