Best Software for 3D Modelling Bent Plate & Unfolding/Developing

Hi,

Just looking for some suggestions for a 3D modelling package that is capable of modelling complex bent plate elements, and will also produce a 2D un-wrap/development of the bent plate. I believe Inventor is capable, any others?

Also it would be a plus if the software can easily talk to ACAD.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Have a look at http://www.ant-ares.de

Regards

Jochen

Thanks for the reply scj.

I'm afraid I do not speak/read German and the bulk of that site is in German and I'm struggling to get my head around exactly what that software/addon does.

I am intending to model bent plate elements similar to this:

And would like to be able to produce 2D developments from the 3D object.

I don't know about the "best", but Inventor certainly can do this. I believe you must get the Inventor Pro version. Here is an example I found:

I consult with a manufacturing company for the AutoCAD and Revit needs, but they primarily use Inventor and I have seen some amazing things come out of that software. Pretty robust I must say.

Thanks tzframpton.