# OpenCutList 5.0 Ideas : Exploded Views? **URL:** \ **Category:** Extensions\ **Tags:** cutlist, opencutlist\ **Created:** [March 8, 2023, 8:31pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/opencutlist-5-0-ideas-exploded-views/222670 "2023-03-08T20:31:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![boris.beaulant](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/boris.beaulant/32/31562_2.png) [@boris.beaulant](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/boris.beaulant)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2023, 8:31pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/opencutlist-5-0-ideas-exploded-views/222670/1 "2023-03-08T20:31:53Z")
_If you are a woodworker and maybe a user of the [OpenCutList](https://extensions.sketchup.com/extension/00f0bf69-7a42-4295-9e1c-226080814e3e/open-cut-list) extension, this topic that talk about the futur of OCL may interest you._ One cool thing with SketchUp is that it’s a versatile 3D software. You can draw a building as a small furniture with the same light and powerful user interface. In its specific domain, OpenCutList try to improve this experience for woodworkers who prefer to spend more time on modeling their projects than generating cutlist, cutting diagrams with multiple external tools. One unified tool that keep your models as clean as possible and that do not reinvent the wheel may bring some limits in customization, but can be very helpful if you prefer to spend your time in front of a piece of wood instead of a computer 🙂 That’s what the OpenCutList team have in mind when they develop a feature that will allow you to print **exploded view** without creating scenes and modifying the 3D model, but directly in the extension dialog. [![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/original/3X/e/e/ee983c839bf42d6b34066bf49f7c0b917d94361d.jpeg "OpenCutList 5.0 Ideas : Exploded Views ?") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bra6e6RGl_k) Do you think that this can be useful ? ---
**Author:** ![napperkt](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/napperkt/32/141915_2.png) [@napperkt](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/napperkt)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2023, 5:53am UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/opencutlist-5-0-ideas-exploded-views/222670/2 "2023-03-09T05:53:29Z")
I will definitely support this. Am an OpenCutlist-Contributor and this is awesome. While we do most of our furniture Assembly drawings in a weird database driven Program called IMOS (AutoCad based) this is great for quick-shots where a CNC program is not necessary. It’s amazing what they get done here and one more reason to FINALLY MAKE A LAYOUT API for developers. What you see here is great but it should be plugged into Layout not Sketchup… 🙂 Great Demo, guys! BTW - is there a way to export cutlist-parts as 2D-DWG files via OpenCut-List? That would be awesome and save a lot of time. ---
**Author:** ![gsharp](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/gsharp/32/25083_2.png) [@gsharp](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/gsharp)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2023, 6:35am UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/opencutlist-5-0-ideas-exploded-views/222670/3 "2023-03-09T06:35:35Z")
I am assuming this can be applied to any architectural detailing… I’m in ---
**Author:** ![Cyentruk](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/cyentruk/32/222012_2.png) [@Cyentruk](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/Cyentruk)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2023, 6:56am UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/opencutlist-5-0-ideas-exploded-views/222670/4 "2023-03-09T06:56:58Z")
Me, too. I’m in. ---
**Author:** ![katilina](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/katilina/32/204721_2.png) [@katilina](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/katilina)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2023, 8:10am UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/opencutlist-5-0-ideas-exploded-views/222670/5 "2023-03-09T08:10:37Z")
great ---
**Author:** ![boris.beaulant](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/boris.beaulant/32/31562_2.png) [@boris.beaulant](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/boris.beaulant)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2023, 8:46am UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/opencutlist-5-0-ideas-exploded-views/222670/6 "2023-03-09T08:46:12Z")
> [@napperkt](#): > > BTW - is there a way to export cutlist-parts as 2D-DWG files via OpenCut-List? That would be awesome and save a lot of time. Currently, no. What do you expect to be exported, the 2D rectangle of each part arrange on the sheet (cutting diagram), or its complete 2D shape with holes and other machining ? ---
**Author:** ![pupoksveta](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/pupoksveta/32/116495_2.png) [@pupoksveta](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/pupoksveta)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2023, 7:24pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/opencutlist-5-0-ideas-exploded-views/222670/7 "2023-03-09T19:24:02Z")
This is nice feature. But … Real use would be if you can export it also with three wire wievs to see what is inside with automatic dimensions . That would be real big help. But also i am realy wondering why you guys are not focusing on cnc saw programs export. Or the abs edging is not working properly if my side panel component is made of grups inside to dynamicaly show cutouts. Than the eding is not recognized. Also the hardware of cabinets is not usefull at all. ---
**Author:** ![boris.beaulant](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/boris.beaulant/32/31562_2.png) [@boris.beaulant](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/boris.beaulant)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2023, 7:56pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/opencutlist-5-0-ideas-exploded-views/222670/8 "2023-03-09T19:56:02Z")
> [@pupoksveta](#): > > But also i am realy wondering why you guys are not focusing on cnc saw programs export. Because I think it’s quite stupid to use SketchUp if you have bought a CNC. CNC owners spend a lot of money in their tool, and my advice is to spend a little more in a real cabinet software fully designed for that. A lot of high level program exists in the market and time of SketchUp in this domain is counted. Then it’s ridiculus for me to spend time to develop an extension for compagnies who will definitively quit SketchUp in few month or years. > [@pupoksveta](#): > > Or the abs edging is not working properly if my side panel component is made of grups inside to dynamicaly show cutouts. This is the main advantage as the main problem of SketchUp, there’s no limit and you can draw what ever you want in the way you choose to do it. No “common” software can respond to this kind of demand without frustrating you. The only way I know to keep this kind of freedom is to write your own software 😛 All professionnel software create a set of rules and the user have to follow them to enter the optimized process. ---
**Author:** ![pcmoor](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/pcmoor/32/3427_2.png) [@pcmoor](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/pcmoor)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2023, 9:31pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/opencutlist-5-0-ideas-exploded-views/222670/10 "2023-03-09T21:31:19Z")
The exploded view is a great idea, but ask that only components are moved Thereas groups (which currently are not counted remain intact in their component) as I make tenons, cuts, and dynamic parts as groups with no adverse effects. With regards to edge strips can they measure shorter edges as in L shelf rather than overall? Maybe lengths of curve for even smaller \<100mm to match the colored edge(s) ---
**Author:** ![napperkt](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/napperkt/32/141915_2.png) [@napperkt](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/napperkt)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2023, 2:54am UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/opencutlist-5-0-ideas-exploded-views/222670/11 "2023-03-10T02:54:32Z")
Hi Boris, i kinda agree with you. Once you go CNC you will need more specialized software because there are so many settings to be considered - what line to cut with what speed and tool and so forth. I keep finding the need to export the contours of parts for all kinds of purposes all the time (sending it to suppliers for quotes, prepping for additional AutoCAD work, etc. 🙂 ) Right now I have to put all parts (components) flat on the ground and then use the 2D DWG export function but it’s manual labor and it’s of course prone to errors (forgetting to add or remove parts when you change design). So for that it would be nice to be able to export the 2D contour of each part in the cutlist. On the other hand - what OpenCutList has achieved is already extremely cool - so no pressure to add even more features! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![gkernan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e495f1/32.png) [@gkernan](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/gkernan)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2023, 7:19am UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/opencutlist-5-0-ideas-exploded-views/222670/12 "2023-03-10T07:19:53Z")
CNC has many different issues to consider. We do design in Sketchup with CabMaker. Then export all parts to CutMaster and then Send highly optimized DXF files over to Cut2D Pro or VCarve Pro. [![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/original/3X/a/6/a62189290749c9f1dabc7b48f0ac75f57ece7ed7.jpeg "Screen To Machine - CabMaker To G code") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3E98E5DzFc) ---
**Author:** ![hopmx04](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/7feea3/32.png) [@hopmx04](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/hopmx04)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2023, 7:29am UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/opencutlist-5-0-ideas-exploded-views/222670/13 "2023-03-10T07:29:21Z")
I again prioritize CNC power first which will save quite a lot of time [SketchUp WoodWop - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDLQKVZrpTU) ---
**Author:** ![pupoksveta](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/pupoksveta/32/116495_2.png) [@pupoksveta](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/pupoksveta)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2023, 1:12pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/opencutlist-5-0-ideas-exploded-views/222670/14 "2023-03-10T13:12:10Z")
@boris.beaulant , I know that sketchup is more than capable of making expensive projects. My latest one was around 75 000 €. It does great job just with DC components . Iam employing 5 people making very good living out of it. Happy families. I have sketchup conected with optimization software that export xml format to my biesse selco 3200 CnC panel saw. Thats it i am not talking about cnc portal or anything like that. I just wantet to contribute to your project because i like the way you started it and keep going. Just to give you idea and participate just because i think that if your plugin can satisfy more users than better for everyone. ---
**Author:** ![boris.beaulant](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/boris.beaulant/32/31562_2.png) [@boris.beaulant](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/boris.beaulant)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2023, 6:50pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/opencutlist-5-0-ideas-exploded-views/222670/15 "2023-03-10T18:50:17Z")
> [@pcmoor](#): > > Maybe lengths of curve for even smaller \<100mm to match the colored edge(s) Yes the way that OCL manage edge banding on the only 4 flat edges is limited. But even if detecting curved edges can solve more case, it brings more case that are not easy to implements. Currently I do not have found a simple and common solution for that. > [@pcmoor](#): > > Thereas groups (which currently are not counted remain intact in their component) as I make tenons, cuts, and dynamic parts as groups with no adverse effects. Hmm, this start to be complex. Because some group would be exploded and other not. Since I start to develop OCL, the main problems come from dynamic components, because DC creators use them with an other logic than the classic Groups and Component simple structure that OCL is based on. One part = One component instance. Currently I not sure to have a good solution for your request. Sorry. ---
**Author:** ![boris.beaulant](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/boris.beaulant/32/31562_2.png) [@boris.beaulant](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/boris.beaulant)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2023, 6:54pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/opencutlist-5-0-ideas-exploded-views/222670/16 "2023-03-10T18:54:58Z")
> [@pupoksveta](#): > > I have sketchup conected with optimization software that export xml format to my biesse selco 3200 > CnC panel saw. Thats it i am not talking about cnc portal or anything like that. And would it be interesting for you to implements such feature in an extension like OpenCutlist ? > [@pupoksveta](#): > > I just wantet to contribute to your project because i like the way you started it and keep going. Just to give you idea and participate just because i think that if your plugin can satisfy more users than better for everyone. That a good proposal, for sure. Thank you. I just don’t know if the fish is not too big 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![boris.beaulant](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/boris.beaulant/32/31562_2.png) [@boris.beaulant](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/boris.beaulant)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2023, 4:43pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/opencutlist-5-0-ideas-exploded-views/222670/17 "2023-03-12T16:43:38Z")
> [@pcmoor](#): > > Thereas groups (which currently are not counted remain intact in their component) as I make tenons, cuts, and dynamic parts as groups with no adverse effects. @pcmoor, currently, sub **groups** of a part (a component instance) are “ignored” and every drawing elements they contains are considered in a flat hierarchy. (Caution that this not the same for sub component instances.) ![Capture d’écran 2023-03-12 à 17.40.06](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/original/3X/8/f/8f52af50ee3ad3133619b3aa4f4dc38ece1e4e37.jpeg) Then maybe your request was already solved ? ---
**Author:** ![pcmoor](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/pcmoor/32/3427_2.png) [@pcmoor](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/pcmoor)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2023, 9:04pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/opencutlist-5-0-ideas-exploded-views/222670/18 "2023-03-12T21:04:11Z")
Yes, I use sub groups, so all good ---
**Author:** ![apodsim](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/apodsim/32/110793_2.png) [@apodsim](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/apodsim)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2023, 1:47pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/opencutlist-5-0-ideas-exploded-views/222670/19 "2023-03-13T13:47:39Z")
Note, in OpenCutList 5.0, the Exploded View feature in the Drawing function is not operational due to a lack of funding in the Open Collective. This should be _ **noted** _ in the plugin description. The existing features of OpenCutList are also available in [CutList Plus fx](https://cutlistplus.com/) which has been around for many years. ---
**Author:** ![boris.beaulant](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/boris.beaulant/32/31562_2.png) [@boris.beaulant](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/boris.beaulant)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2023, 2:07pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/opencutlist-5-0-ideas-exploded-views/222670/20 "2023-03-13T14:07:49Z")
> [@apodsim](#): > > This should be _ **noted** _ in the plugin description. I’m sorry if you misread and don’t understand the OpenCutList economic model. But we never say that this feature is yet available. OpenCutList is an Open Source and crowdfunding-only project. **Every** major OpenCutList releases follow the same funding process : 1. we announce the main features we think it’s good to implement and the crowdfunding goal. 2. when the crowdfunding goal is reached, we do the job. 3. when the job is completed, we publish the new release and then it’s available for everybody and for **free**. Then if I understand you regret your 20$ donation 🙂 ? ---
**Author:** ![Cyentruk](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/cyentruk/32/222012_2.png) [@Cyentruk](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/Cyentruk)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2023, 3:08pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/opencutlist-5-0-ideas-exploded-views/222670/21 "2023-03-13T15:08:04Z")
Who care CutList Plus fx or something? This is about plugin for SketchUp. [Next page](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/opencutlist-5-0-ideas-exploded-views/222670.md?page=2)