Design for "soft"ware

ben_partouch

Hello,

Anyone with experience/tips to share about using Onshape to design for "soft" or fabric materials? Backpack, cases, wallets etc.
Specifically- Appearance (Not perfectly straight line and surfaces), zippers, elastic motion (open and closed position of a case when there are no hinges involved)

Thank you

EvanReese

Onshape really isn't made for this, but you can do some things to bend it to your will. Is your goal actual design for production, or just product visuals?

ben_partouch

I'd say at least at this point, product visuals. I need enough detail to show design intent that my client can take to manufacturers. Those could convert it to their means of fabrication. I hope that makes sense? 

lance_leasure

I've been trying to answer the same question. I'm wondering whether treating the item like a piece of sheet metal might not work. I'm going to give it a try. 

EvanReese

One way I've handled this on a product that had fabric living hinges was to use configurations to show various positions. I split the rigid elements apart, moved them to a new position, and lofted the joint to reconnect them.

wout_theelen541

lance_leasure said:

I've been trying to answer the same question. I'm wondering whether treating the item like a piece of sheet metal might not work. I'm going to give it a try. 

I've used this idea. I find I can do most things with sheet metal tools and then if there is something extra you need I finish the sheet metal part and use other tools. I don't make anything as complicated as a backpack though.

adam_richardson

Sub division surfacing is better suited for mimicking fabrics - I'm sure it's sort of doable with Onshape, but not particularly easy. What are you using for the rendering? Ease of getting it in to the rendering packaging and making things like UV maps for texture and bump maps could also be a factor (if you're going to that level of visualization)

S1mon

If you really need to design soft goods in 3D with rendered views, and output the flat patterns, Clo3D looks pretty amazing. It's mainly designed for fashion, but can be used for soft goods as well.

Here's a whole (long) tutorial on making a bag:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKXYGookZUw

EvanReese

@adam_richardson Agreed. Things like Marvelous Designer and CLO 3D are the right tools for this.