product design

[tamarindi]

Usually i use VW as cad software for architecture.

I have been asked to design products like lamps and that requires specific plans like spreads (like you take a box or a cone and open it to a flat 2D for manufacture).

I know that Solidworks does exactly that. Is there a way in VW? maybe the Machine design? It is necessary for transferring to CNC and other plotters...

Thanks

[Kevin McAllister]

For simple shapes you can use Unfold Surfaces in the Model menu. For anything more complex you probably need to explore something like http://www.touchcad.com/ which has Vectorworks import/export options.

KM

[JeffPPI]

there is a 3D power pack that I installed as a plug in called "Unfold 3D Triangles" that did the very thing you ask about.

I used it to make a crown for PBS's Camelot a couple years ago, and for parts of a very complex ramp that couldn't be done another way, all parts cut on a 2D CNC router.

You would have to convert your sweep or however you got to your lamp shape into a 3D polygon first.

might be the same thing KM was talking about. i'm still partying like it's 2008.