SolidWorks Sheet Metal – Why is my Flat Pattern Displayed as a Bent Part?

When the Flat pattern drawing view of a SolidWorks sheet metal part displays the part in the bent condition, this can indicate an issue with the suppression state of the Flat-pattern feature. As shown in the figure below the Flat Pattern view is the same as the front view and shows the part in a bent state.

Wrong flat pattern in View Palette

The default configuration of a sheet-metal part, contains a derived configuration called “DefaultSM-FLAT-PATTERN”. In this configuration, the sheet-metal option Flatten is selected.

Flatten tool is selected

This results in the Flat-pattern feature being unsupressed and the part will be flattened.

Flat-Pattern feature is unsuppressed

If this option is modified when the “DefaultSM-FLAT-PATTERN” is active.

Flatten tool deselected in flat pattern

Then the Flat-pattern feature will be suppressed and the part will be bent. This will lead lead to the wrong view being shown in the drawing.

Flat-Pattern feature is Supressed

The resolve this issue, with  “DefaultSM-FLAT-PATTERN” is active, set the Flatten option.

Flatten selected in flat pattern

This will flatten the part and result in the correct view being displayed in the drawing.

Correct Flat Pattern view now available