UltimateUnwrap 3D is around USD 50 and worth it in my opinion. I use VC, so I can't speak for Shark, but I haven't found a quick or simple method of development within VC. Choose the resolution you'd like for the surface approximation, convert to mesh and save as .dxf within VC for format compatibility with UU3D. UU3D is semi automatic, it's not difficult and gives you a lot of control over how the development is laid out, because you can see instantly if there're going to be inconvenient overlaps and rectify. Can do very complex facet layouts as well as simple ones, and VC's resolution selection and variables determine how closely it approximates the curved original, and is pretty exact for faceted objects, except that it doesn't account for edge fold material.

Yes, it is windows only. http://www.unwrap3d.com/tutorial_unfold.aspx demonstrates unfolding. I have no use for UV mapping, I use it for unfolding. I use it in the here-and-now to produce layouts for duct and tubing junctions. It would be nice if Tim and the Punch crew come up with something to do it within VC or Shark, but right now that doesn't exist, and my customers' orders do. UU3D unwraps (funny that, considering the name) and UV maps, if that's your thing. I don't confuse the two capabilities.

Yes, it does to an extent (demonstrate folding)- but it is not the same- trust me. When you bend a sheet, it is good practice to have a bend amount which is added to the overall amount, otherwise you will get gaps. The software that you show, although shows an unfolding principle (of UV mapping) does not demonstrate folding of metal sheet. I mean where does it, in the text mention radii to thickness of metal? It doesn't.

So like I said, don't confuse the two, as they are two entirely different things.

There is a (Windows only) sheet metal CAD tool out there, which the name currently escapes me, but it ain't cheap!

:)

If you ever get a chance, look at Solidworks and the way it handles sheet metal bends. Even better is SpaceClaim. Unfortunately again, both of these apps are Windows only.

Tim, has Punch got a copy of Solidworks?

ttrw,

You have a point to a degree in terms of the vendors duties. However, in our studio we use mock ups A LOT. And lazercutting/water-jet cutting a small scale model (or perhaps as simple as chipboard or cardboard or wood) is VERY useful. The capability to unfold from a Shark/ViaCAD model ( and plot out )would be very useful.

Norbert

zumer,

I'd like to say thanks for the link. I might try the demo and see how it goes.


Norbert

Eh? Why are you being rude and offensive? It's the very first line of that page link that you sent (see above!)!! All I said was don't confuse the two, and I meant it, because they are both, two very different things!

I work (on an industrial contract) in the electronics industry, with sheet metal. We (the company of 5, who I work for, who incidentally I am employed by) are currently taking sheet metal products to manufacture in both India and China, as we speak.

Recently my company ditched buying a seat of Shark in favour of Solidworks because of the sheet metal tools. Personally I would have prefered to have bought Shark, because it runs on a Mac (my platform of choice). I imagine that there are many other Mac users here who would love sheet metal tools running on their Macs.

But that's beside the point. Solidworks (and AutoCAD too) is/ are the industry standard, If you work in the real world, other industry designers and manufacturers demand 99.9% of the time that files are made in Solidworks or AutoCAD, and unfortunately, friend, there is no getting away from it. Period.

It certainly is. :)

As for Mac as a viable alternative to PC for industrial CAD?, I'm working on it.........!


:cool:

I apologise for my rudeness, it's removed. UU3D has generic compatibility through .dxf, .stl and 3ds.

You got me wrong Tom.....What I said was "buying software because it runs on a Mac is just plain stupid IMO, buying software for what it can do for your company IS a reason regardless of platforms"



So even though Shark is still buggy and nowhere near as productive as SW for your application (sheet metal) you would buy something because you are familiar with the platform :rolleyes::rolleyes:...forgive me but isnt that a wee bit daft?

There was a phase when I was using CAM moved from VMS, Linux, Windows. Personally I hated Linux but the software was mega stable and never gave trouble....hence why your firm chooses to run SW on PC ;)



I dont dispute Mac is a good platform and it certainly has style, I just hope it manages to keep M$ honest in the future.....apologies for the OT Norbert:o