Hi Carlos, I've also noticed in your examples that it might be most common for you to use the longer median with a rotation of 90 degrees for this stuff (I think you mentioned that at one point too).

If that's the case then please give the attached third version a try, note that its command name now ends with a "3" so make sure your shortcut for launching it matches that.

This version gets the rotation axis as a median line like the 2nd version, but it automatically selects the longest axis direction and also automatically rotates it by 90 degrees and so does away with even more steps, just select the face, run the command and bam! you're extruding at 90 degrees right away. I hope it will speed this process up for you considerably.

If you do need to sometimes rotate around the shorter axis or do rotations other than 90 degrees, then just have the 2nd version set up on a shortcut key as well so you can use it when you need to do those things.

- Michael

Hi Michael,

Its great. This is exactly what i need.

Only the angle rotation (on mouse pointer) behavior is a bit odd but i'm getting the hang of it.
It needs a bit of pratice, meanwile i just input a angle number, or try to snap to a vert of solid.
Maybe the cause is the central axis of the face is been used, instead of a face's edge.
9 times in 10 its a 90º angle i need of the selected face.

Thanks for this. I appreciate your support.

Carlos

You're welcome Carlos - also don't miss version #3 above which automatically rotates by 90 degrees skipping the rotation step entirely, hopefully you should be able to use that version for your 90% use case.

For the version #2 rotation the mouse will track along a plane from the midpoint of the median line so try moving your mouse around that midpoint area rather than near one of the ends of the edges and it should probably make more sense.

- Michael

Hi Michael, i missed your post about #3. I take too much time trying to write in english : )

The #3 is fantastic! It will speed up my worflow a lot, i mean a LOT!

Will use the #2 and #3 combined.

It shrunk a 9 steps workflow into 1, more than one hundred times a day, so the impact is huge. Amazing!

Thanks a lot.

Carlos

Hi Michael,

and first of all I wish to thank you for your very clear reply.

> It is just normal though that special purpose tools won't receive the same level of polish as ones that are used by a lot of people.

Regarding this point I totally agree with you. J have nothing further to add.

Just for a little javascript practice, I will try to create my own version with all these three different versions you wrote, combined together,
and if I i will get good result I will certainly share it with all of you.

Best,

- Marco (mkdm).

Hi Marco,

Please do that, and share it : )

I believe the #1 with an offset number (x and y) set by the user, could mimic bend allowence for sheet metal. Just the unfold had to be manual, if the script placed a curve on center of the offset, and this curve is used to set the rotation. MOI's snaping tools are great for this.

Carlos

Ok Carlos. As soon as I have some free time I'll try to assemble this type of script.

> I believe the #1 with an offset number (x and y) set by the user,
> could mimic bend allowence for sheet metal. Just the unfold had to be manual,
> if the script placed a curve on center of the offset, and this curve is used to set the rotation. MOI's snaping tools are great for this.

Could you be more specific and upload some images, or (better) a video, showing what exactly you mean ?

Best,

- Marco (mkdm)

Hi Marco,

In attached is an image showing what i was trying to say.

The idea is to use the Edge selected and translated it to a new position.

I think this might mimic (emphasis on mimic) the sheet metal allowence.

In sheet metal (simgle piece) the thickness and bend allowence is constant, so the user has to figure it out once.

Cheers

Carlos

There is one ultimate guide about press brake, it mentioned everything about press brake as well as the bending operation, hope it can be helpful for you. Here is it: https://machinemfg.com/press-brake-ultimate-guide/

I believe the ultimate guide to press brake will interest you guys since you care about sheet metal bending. https://machinemfg.com/press-brake-ultimate-guide/

Thanks, its very usefull.

hi

Here an example of my sheet metal workflow for parametrics parts

The workfloor is :

1 - Simple 2D part's drawing . ( complex part's can be import from SOLVESPACE )
2 - Part's extrusion
3 - Part's 3D connection/assembly with junctions .
4 - Final boolean union
5 - Layout with Make2D4Views function
6 - 3D part's export in STEP , SKP ...
7 - Layout export in PDF

i hope it could help you
have a nice day

Chri

Complex Parametrics part's can be import from SOLVESPACE


Chri

@Chri!
Hello
The SVG (2d) format of the free Solvespace is compatible to the not so "rustic" free TinkerCad!
Just import inside Tinkercad a SVG file!