Re: Plate Developments in DXF convert to PDF for full size printing?

[Sergio Diaz-Ibieta]

Hi SimonW,
I have never worked developed plates in pdf format, so I cannot be of great help in there. However I did export unfolded plates to dxf format and later worked in Autocad and also in Rhinoceros. There was one occasion where a very powerful CAD/CAM software for shipbuilding that we use in our shipyard could not develop a rudder fairing plate and I used Delftship. The result was amazingly accurate and I save the day (It works…!!!)
Rules of thumb for plate development:
1.- Select very well your layers, in terms of making sure that their dimensions are manageable in size, for further handling, cutting and conforming.
2.- Don´t forget to set the layer to “Developable” in the Layer Properties window
3.- Set the Precision of the model in High or better in Very High, so you will have a much more accurate edge plate curve by means of smaller straight segments. This would result in a bigger file size but one can handle. Maybe some time in the future DS will also incorporate real curves for lines plan, plate development, etc.
That’s it for now
REgards,
Sergio