Translating a 3D Object to a "Flat" Surface

[Mike R]

Say you have a 3D shape of some sort. Think of its 2D surface area.

Is there a way that you can determine the size/pattern of a flat sheet that would be necessary to "form" this 3D shape's surface?

For example, if you have a 3D cube, you can imagine it being made up of a flat "+" shape that is then folded up to form the surface area of the cube (plus an extra square for the "top").

Is there a possible tool to figure out this in Vectorworks for more complicated 3D objects?

Thanks in advance for any help,

Mike

[Ray Libby]

Vectorworks 2009 has an unfold feature.

Please create a signature with your version of Vectorworks and computer specs including OS.

[Mike R]

Alright, now you can see my weak specs.

Anything for non-2009 users?

[Ray Libby]

Sorry, not for VW.

[Jonathan Pickup]

have you looked at touchCAD?

http://www.touchcad.com/

[Oyvind]

Or Revcad

Revcad unfold software

[Mike R]

Thanks, guys!

[rDesign]

You could try Bob Wagner's free 'Unfold' plug-in which works on v.12 and above; it's available at the following link Vectorwiki - Geometry Plug-ins

Some other threads on this same topic, which all refer back to Bob Wagner's 'Unfold':

Unfolding - again

Unfold 3d objects

flattening cone section

Hope that helps.

Regards,

Tim

[JeffPPI]

Bob's unfold is neat. I used it to make a CNC program for a 8' diameter 4' high crown for PBS's Camelot special.

[bcd]

Assuming your 3d object is planar have you tried extract surface?

Also if it's cylindrical /conical you may have success extracting the top & bottom curve

and using these to draw the developed surface.