As a self taught user of Solidworks since only 2009 or so I have just recently gotten into modeling sheet metal parts using the sheet metal features.  Following tuturials and learning videos I am very familiar with the base flange start to s new sheet metal part, but I have recently ran into parts started with a thin boss extrude feature. 

I have spent all night googling and searching different forums searching for an answer to this question: What is better to use in order to create a new sheet metal part; the base flange feature or a thin boss extrude?  I haven't really found a definitive answer.

Like I said, pretty much all the tutorials that I have watched utilize the base flange method when creating a part from scratch.  The thin boss extrude was introduced to me when converting a solid part to a sheet metal part with a shell feature or what have you.  So from what I have gathered so far about comparing the two are as follows:

Base Flange:

The Newer sheet metal feature (compared to thin boss extrude)

The feature most taught in tutorials

No need to roll back the part to add features as they are automatically added above the flat pattern

View the flat pattern more easily

Complex geometry can be changed easily

Sheet metal properties are enherent to the feature

Thin Boss Extrude:

Used in converting solid parts to sheet metal

(I don't know much else)

I did find this old forum, and the consensus seems to be mixed.  Is it still mixed or has one feature finally beating out the other?

Forgive me if this an old and tired subject, but I just needed to check with other solidworks sheet metal users.  I want to learn and use the best method availble so if anyone can come to my aid it would be much appriciated.

THanks!