# Unfolded dxf from design

**URL:** <https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/unfolded-dxf-from-design/28000>\
**Category:** Modeling Questions\
**Created:** [September 18, 2023, 5:01pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/unfolded-dxf-from-design/28000 "2023-09-18T17:01:43Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Edwinauto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ad7895/32.png) [@Edwinauto](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Edwinauto)\
**Post date:** [September 18, 2023, 5:01pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/unfolded-dxf-from-design/28000/1 "2023-09-18T17:01:43Z")

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Hi  
My name is edwin and im using shapr3d for almost a year now and im very happy that i startet to make designs with your app as i never did use any design program. I have a question. I make a lot designs that will be made from sheet metal and has to be water/laser cutted before folding it. if i make a 3d design is it possible to change a folded part to unfolded 2d drawing to use as dxf for cutting?

With kind regards

Edwin

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**Author:** ![Peter\_Gy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/peter_gy/32/9251_2.png) [@Peter\_Gy](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Peter_Gy)\
**Post date:** [September 18, 2023, 5:05pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/unfolded-dxf-from-design/28000/2 "2023-09-18T17:05:44Z")

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At the moment there’s no built-in functionality for that, but this is definitely on our radar.

One workaround exists in the parametric beta version of Shapr3D for the simpler cases. It is what Alex [does in this review from ~39:35](https://youtu.be/gFILmQtFSKU?si=CbPnSHW6p77wsDdm&t=2374): creating a copy and then unfolding it manually and aligning the parts next to each other as they’d be cutted from the sheet. It’s a somewhat tedious process, but in the parametric version the flat layout will be kept updated as you change your model.

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**Author:** ![NathanD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/dec6dc/32.png) [@NathanD](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/NathanD)\
**Post date:** [September 18, 2023, 5:49pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/unfolded-dxf-from-design/28000/3 "2023-09-18T17:49:24Z")

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Hey @Edwinauto

As Peter mentioned you can manually unfold your design, and there are different ways you can go about that.

Another thing that may work for you, depending on how complex your design is, is to export a model of your _valid_ (I’ll explain) design to a laser cutting service that accepts 3D models instead of DXF. This will allow you to fully design in Shapr and have a part cut without any other software or additional work needed. The quoting software used by the cutting service will unfold your design for you and cut it out using all the correction factors to match your model. In many cases you can have your design cut _and_ bent into shape, if you want them to bend it.

The quoting software used by these services require a _valid_ sheet metal design, so bend radii has to be correct throughout the part, and thickness of the sheet design has to be uniform.

As a rule of thumb, your bend radius (the radius on the INSIDE of the bend) should be equal to the thickness of the material you are using.

The ouside radius of the bend is the inside radius\*2.

Other functions, like corner reliefs, bend reliefs, etc are beyond the scope of this post.

Do you have any pictures of what you’re trying to unfold?

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**Author:** ![Edwinauto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ad7895/32.png) [@Edwinauto](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Edwinauto)\
**Post date:** [September 19, 2023, 4:56am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/unfolded-dxf-from-design/28000/4 "2023-09-19T04:56:24Z")

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Hi peter and nathan

Thank you for your information and i hope that unfolding function wil be there very soon as it would be a good help.  
I dont have a 3d function on the waterjet as it is an old beast 😉  
If i made a design like these examples;

It would very helpfull en it will save a lot of time. Bend radius is often mentioned websides from cutting and foldind companys so that helps me with choosing my radius for my designs. Thank you very much.

With kind regards

Edwin

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Edwinauto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ad7895/32.png) [@Edwinauto](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Edwinauto)\
**Post date:** [September 19, 2023, 4:56am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/unfolded-dxf-from-design/28000/5 "2023-09-19T04:56:34Z")

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How can i add a picture? I treid but doesnt alowe me

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**Author:** ![vrrv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/e19b73/32.png) [@vrrv](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/vrrv)\
**Post date:** [September 25, 2024, 3:38pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/unfolded-dxf-from-design/28000/6 "2024-09-25T15:38:07Z")

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Agree. Being able to easily create a model is not enough. We need an easy way to unfold/flatten and export for cutting tools while keeping it valid. Will be HUGE timesaver.