schizek

Second fastener question. Is it possible to have a screw with NO cross recess?

I would not want to use rendered hardware because we need to have line art to show the rest of the graphic clearly. I don't need to show helical threads, just some lines to respresent thread. For right now i am exporting graphics and using another CAD package to create my graphics for two reasons. 1) add threads for hardware 2) To have the ability to DELETE lines that i do not want to show in the grphic ( i.e. smooth edges that don't ALL need to be shown and when they are, makes the graphic a little unclear.

I am creating graphics for inserting into instruction manuals. I need to be able to show the ACTUAL screws WITH threads when showing an isometic view. Any suggestions? Is there a free library of fasteners somewhere that would have 3D models that I could use for this purpose?

What is the timeframe for release of IronCAD 6.0 or whatever the next major release will be? Is there a list of functionality that will be added? Will we finally be able to modify sheet metal in the unfolded state as well as in the folded state?

Chris, 1. V notch corners. The "watertight" corners option does not create what we are looking for. We use a 90 degree V notch at a given depth. This is not always on center with the bend. The easiest way to create this would be to modify the flat and have the folded part remember that information. 2. Any time there is a complex punch around many bends, or that aren't on a "flat" portion of the folded part. Once again, to be able to add this in the flat would be extremely beneficial. I really don't have a long list of specifics. I can only say that sheetmetal design is done with the flat in mind. If that is correct, the part will be correct, not vice versa

I would like to be able to unfold an existing sheetmetal part, MODIFY the flat, and then refold the part KEEPING those modifications. Of course, there are other options I would want also, but they all would be based off the idea that this would work.

That works well for the scene, but is it possible to have that thread callout transfered to the drawing like it does for a fastener?

Chris, When you say, "I've heard that modeling in the flat goes against the design of sheetmetal" are you saying it goes against the IronCAD way of designing sheetmetal or that it goes against general sheetmetal design. I agree, it doesn't seem to fit in the way IronCAD designs sheetmetal well, but if you are talking general sheet metal design, I disagree, the flat design is more important than the actual folded sheet metal part due to the use of standard tooling used to create the flat blanks. I would hope that we could get to the point that you could create in the flat, and select the locations that you want to fold to create your sheetmetal part.

I saw no mention of adding the ability to modify sheet metal in the flat. Is this no longer coming? It has been promised for quite a while (since 3.0 I believe).

I have a few general questions for the masses. What is the average size of the files you are working on? What is the average File/Open time? What is the average File/ Save time? Any information would be appreciated.

I think a sheet metal discussion group would be great.