How to get from 3D model to 2D construction plans?
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Hi all,
I'm an amateur with some experience in yacht design and construction. I'm using SketchUp 8 free for a couple of weeks now and I'm amazed by what it can do and how relatively easy it is to learn to use, compared to other CAD software. I've designed a two seater ice yacht (see picture), including the internal bulkhead structure which is shown in the next picture.
I'm now in the process of converting the 3D model to 2D plans for construction. I found and use several plugins to help with that; I need to flatten curved surfaces, remove bulkheads one by one from the 3D model and lay them all flat on a grid as reference to make full scale plans on paper later on. Nesting all the parts efficiently on plywood sheets is also a lot of work, even with a demo version of a professional nesting program I found (Astra true shape nesting).
I find this conversion from 3D model to 2D construction plan very labor intensive and I wonder if there is an easier way to do this. For a professional (which I'm not) this process may perhaps be known and a piece of cake.
All tips on how to do this and pointers to additional plugins to help are welcomed.
Mike
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Well making 2d Drawings with a CAD System from 3d models is quite a piece of cake and can be done fast with the right Software.
I am using Solidworks or Solid Edge for this work.
May be SU Layout will help you if you dont want to use a mechanical CAD-System.
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