Sheet Metal Update

robin_mccaffrey

I know it's already a requested feature, but after seeing the flattening application, I was left wondering.  Are sheet metal features still a priority?  The flattening tool kind of works... but doesn't allow for bend tolerances.

jakeramsley

robin_mccaffrey said:

Are sheet metal features still a priority?

Yes.

brucebartlett

jakeramsley said:

robin_mccaffrey said:

Are sheet metal features still a priority?

Yes.

Great Answer Jake,

lana

@robin_mccaffrey
If you meant ExactFlat - it is not designed to handle sheet metal cases at all. It is solving a different problem. I can see it being used to generate patterns for plushy toys.

seth_rosko

I also work with sheet metal and would love to see an 'UNROLL' feature as well as a 'FLATTEN' feature. These tools are essential for this type of work. For OnShape to offer the ability to create a 3d shape then deconstruct it to be cut from sheet and then formed would really make this format my got-to product.

philip_thomas

<stands before the assembled masses>
Friends, Designers and Onshapers, lend me your ears!
We hear you - we know that you want sheet metal!
We are working tirelessly to give you the functionality you need to get your work done.
Lets just say that we would be significantly remiss if we were NOT thinking-about/working-on solutions to all your challenges!
<the crowd disperses happy knowing that Onshape is working hard to give them the tools they need>

peter_hall

@philip_thomas working tirelessly? then ratther than .....it should be

Pavel_7

Yes please sheet metal is essential, thank you

paul_stephenson

I can't come over to OS until a good sheet metal feature with reliable flatten options works. Then I and thousands upon thousands of other real world CAD users can start to migrate. Please bring on that day soon

bryan_lagrange

Looking forward to Onshape sheet metal. Can't wait to dive in!

c_a_moore

Joining the chorus: sheet metal=yes!

seth_rosko

Just making sure this stays at the top.... SHEET METAL ASAP!

bertrand_van_der_berg451

Yes, please! Sheet metal and development to flat.

igino_cafiero

LOVE OS; can't wait for sheet metal

sabbir_mehta

Great CAD package but sadly missing a major limb- Sheet metal and development to flat

walter

will sheet metal be add  on at a cost

coleman

@walter  I don't work for or speak on behalf of onshape....however I do not expect sheet metal to be an add on at an additional cost.  

philip_thomas

Well, it was back February when i posted my earlier comment about 'trust me, we are working on it'.
As with all things 'Onshape', this is the very reason we dont publish a timetable. For many of us, this is not our first CAD system and there is both a lot of work involved in 'can we make it better?' from a workflow standpoint, as well as significant effort to write the foundational underpinnings. These changes are so profound, that these underpinnings have been introduced to production Onshape already, just to support the development of sheet metal (the fact that you haven't noticed them is a testament to the skill of the developers). I am taking the time to write this just to let you know that the work invested to date has been significant and we appreciate your patience. I have used it on the production stack (we can turn any bit of functionality on or off for any group of people - we use this to roll out new functionality to groups of testers), and its good! For those of you that have seen us through these big projects before, you know that it will be released when it's ready. With regards to the question about SM being a paid module, all i can say is that today there is no difference between the free and the pro plan (in terms of cad functionality), and it certainly would be nice (and simpler!) if it stayed that way!