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Mirror Feature for sheet metal
RT_AXIOM
Member Posts: 18 PRO
Being able to mirror features when creating sheet metal geometry. I don't understand the concept of the "finish sheet metal model"? Why cant the sheet metal model just always be open for changes.
In the picture below is an example of the mirror function not working until using the "finish sheet metal model". I have a square extruded cut that I wanted to mirror across the sheet metal part but it wouldn't allow me to do it until the part was "finished". So i finished the sheet metal part then mirrored the feature which worked, but it doesn't show up in the flat pattern.
It is super important to have all holes and cut features that are on the sheet metal part to show up on the flat pattern. Eventually I will want to get this part cut with a CNC laser cutter or plasma cutter and if the feature aren't all visible on the flat pattern then they won't get cut.
ALso how do I make a flattened view for this part if I want to add it to a drawing to show bend line dimensions?
In the picture below is an example of the mirror function not working until using the "finish sheet metal model". I have a square extruded cut that I wanted to mirror across the sheet metal part but it wouldn't allow me to do it until the part was "finished". So i finished the sheet metal part then mirrored the feature which worked, but it doesn't show up in the flat pattern.
It is super important to have all holes and cut features that are on the sheet metal part to show up on the flat pattern. Eventually I will want to get this part cut with a CNC laser cutter or plasma cutter and if the feature aren't all visible on the flat pattern then they won't get cut.
ALso how do I make a flattened view for this part if I want to add it to a drawing to show bend line dimensions?
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Best Answer
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lougallo
Member, Moderator, Onshape Employees, Developers, csevp Posts: 2,005 
@ryan_thivierge I moved this out of the improvement requests since it is not asking for a feature only. I will send you a ticket for sheet metal mirror. The End sheet metal allows you to have multiple sheet metal bodies in one studio similar to how to we approach parts. This is our first release so there is more to do but only things inside the start and end features will show up in the flat pattern. Some actions we are blocking in active sheet metal parts due to them not yet being ready.
As far as the flattened view, You can right click on the flat view and send it to a drawing. Soon you will be able to do this right from the Drawing insert menu as well. Let us know if you have more feedback.Lou Gallo / PD/UX - Support - Community / Onshape, Inc.5
Answers
As far as the flattened view, You can right click on the flat view and send it to a drawing. Soon you will be able to do this right from the Drawing insert menu as well. Let us know if you have more feedback.
If you have not done so already, I'd recommend watching the recording of the recent sheet metal webinar. There is a section in there that explains where the finish sheet metal feature can be useful, if I remember correctly.
It is my understanding that you don't have to use the "finish sheet metal model" feature at all, and you're free to add as many sheet metal "bodies" to an individual part studio as you wish. There are some features that you cannot use on a "sheet metal" part in OS as of right now, though I'm sure they'll be added soon enough. If you hit "finish sheet metal model" all of a sudden you have the ability to add features that you couldn't previously, but OS will not recognize the body as a sheet metal part past where in the feature tree you've inserted the "finish sm model" function.
https://cad.onshape.com/documents/aa1f01518934123060ea4437/w/65d4835559078d43d725ef1f/e/b5b5f4af604d766fcbc2a3db
Part mirror also works and provides an easier selection than face mirror, if you intend to mirror an entire sheet metal part.
I do not see an improvement request for it. Sheet metal does not support any "true" feature patterns; i.e. You cannot do a linear, circular, or curve feature pattern of sheet metal unless the "Apply per instance" option is turned off. We do no expose apply per instance for mirror, because mirror is always a pattern with only one instance, and it is safe from a performance standpoint to always just run with apply per instance turned on.
Please log an improvement request in the Improvement Requests category of this forum.