When you create a flat pattern for a sheet metal part, Inventor seems to rotate or flip the flat in an unwanted way. Is there a way to change the orientation of the flat pattern?
Solution:
You can do this by right-clicking on the flat pattern node in the browser and choosing Edit Flat Pattern Definition.
As an added note, you can pre-determine the base face (the side facing up) by selecting that face before creating the flat pattern.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH8LpOZLwiFQE4ax6bf-uvVaKFXHn8oVxTHp7Bes_K9KzX_-QSC8BFoO-TPt3X63rrZUr-kPuvxauYlpIRp1-nK2FH4I74Q_MdYr3MOOINEAdT4EIlacePlpsVeVO78qQ9D-b00HrLwU0C/s1600/Autodesk+Inventor+Sheet+Metal+Edit+Flat+Pattern.png)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoLg1fCAPssHhKRcD-s3dWTV_EzumBL5FKWKb95omcggWJk-LIU1o4e-tQRLw0xmEZYJjKyCY6aq7DTioFSfuWBUWUGktwDggzeh8ART_eIdKsChg6BXSK0Q8Qj7IxonpA8XHshaQQ95EG/s1600/Autodesk+Inventor+Sheet+Metal+Edit+Flat+Pattern+2.png)
If you've defined a simplified punch and center point you can specify that it is shown on the flat pattern as well.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoG_HJCoin1qB8YGVzYXSMwZMJyOi-QukEjj-N8K_JoMCMTZjYr4NBPCoOJznGUVPX5QnpSGFHVXCU3fuexqa3eiAwQyROqljAps1OQNUum_sPTs3fyiOr5VyI3mSeW042k6j4ok95LzaU/s1600/Autodesk+Inventor+Sheet+Metal+Punch+Center.png)