SketchUp

[FranMar]

Anyone using Sketchup for design? I think its a lot more user friendly than Solidworks. I just cant seem to find a "flatten" feature, which will allow me to completely flatten my design so that I can see it in a sheet form. Any suggestions? I'm open to other programs that are available.

[climb-101]

i started with sketchup but have switched over to fusion 360. i think there is a flatten button on fusion but i’m still new to it.

[metal manny]

I use Sketchup for my design work and have a love-hate relationship with the product, but that said, of late by understanding the processes better, more love than hate!

Not sure what you mean by seeing your design in a "sheet form"; do you mean saving a view on your screen as a 2D screen grab which you can print out /share etc?
If this be the case, then you can go to 'export' and select export as a .jpeg which will save what's displayed on your screen.

[climb-101]

Originally Posted by metal manny

I use Sketchup for my design work and have a love-hate relationship with the product, but that said, of late by understanding the processes better, more love than hate!

Not sure what you mean by seeing your design in a "sheet form"; do you mean saving a view on your screen as a 2D screen grab which you can print out /share etc?
If this be the case, then you can go to 'export' and select export as a .jpeg which will save what's displayed on your screen.

some design programs let you model a 3d part and then it will unfold them to a flat later the that you can use to lay it out on a a flat plate for a pattern.

[CousinVinny]

This may help the next person as this thread is over a year old. I use SketchUp regularly and you may be looking for a plug-in called 'Unfold'. If you were to create a 3d box, the tool will pancake the box 'open' on the floor of the workspace. You could then print this out on paper, and trace onto your sheet metal and follow the cut & bend lines to create your original Box. This doesn't seem impressive but imagine using it on a multi angled bracket with several holes and flanges.

[bobadame]

You might find this useful:https://tamasoft.co.jp/pepakura-en/