System and method for converting a three dimensional model to a non-application specific format

A computer-implemented method for converting a three dimensional model to a non-application specific format, the selected non-application specific format being used for sheet metal manufacturing, the method comprising:

• receiving a user input, via a Graphical User Interface (GUI), to select the non-application specific format from a defined group of non-application specific formats;
• receiving a user input, via the GUI, to select the three dimensional model from a database, the three dimensional model comprising a plurality of surfaces;
• receiving a user input, via the GUI, to select a surface from the plurality of surfaces;
• receiving a user input, via the GUI, to select a feature from the selected three dimensional model, wherein the feature is unrelated to sheet metal manufacturing;
• removing the feature to create a two dimensional model of the selected surface;
• converting the two dimensional model to the selected non-application specific format;
• and
• creating a file corresponding to the two dimensional model in the selected non-application specific format.