Faceted object

[zuken86]

Hi all,

I have a simple faceted object. How can I flatten each face to get dimensions? The unfold tool doesn't wok!

Thanks,

Edited January 18, 2013 by zuken86

[grant_PD]

Use the extract surface tool to get each surface separate from one another. They you can manually rotate to a good view.

[zuken86]

Thanks. Any faster ways?

[Kevin McAllister]

You can likely get all of the surfaces flattened onto the screen plane by converting a copy of your object to NURBS, ungrouping and running the Unfold Surfaces command.

Kevin

[Mitchell Brooks]

You could also set the working plane to a facet of your solid and then dimension in that plane. Repeat for each facet.

[Benson Shaw]

Best to work on a duplicate of the Mesh.

Do what's needed to make all the Mesh facets into NURBS Surfaces, then run the Unfold.

If it's all triangle facets, the Mesh will probably convert directly to a group of NURBS surfaces with the Convert to NURBS command (Optn Cmd N). Enter the group or ungroup and run the Unfold command.

If conversion fails, Convert to Group (Cmd K) or dbl click to edit the mesh and convert the resulting 3d polys to NURBS (Optn Cmd N) - which yields a group of NURBS curves (or you may have to convert them one at a time). Then select each Ncurve and 3dPowerPack>Create Surface from Curves. Sorry, it only does one facet at a time.

One final problem is that the unfolded 2d parts are scattered and stacked, possibly on top of the source object or at some distance away from it. The 2d objects are not identified or organized for "reassembly". It is helpful to add different fill colors to the 3d facets prior to Unfold. Sometimes it's useful to cut a hole or notch an edge in the 3d facets prior to unfold.

Records attached to the 3d facets do not seem to "carry" into the 2d shapes. Anyone know how to do that?

-B

[Elite Exhibits]

Question ? - ... "convert directly to a group of NURBS surfaces with the Convert to NURBS command (Optn Cmd N). Enter the group or ungroup and run the Unfold command."

If one Extrudes a Square to make a CUBE, converts it to Nurbs ... How can the Unfold command be used to make a single flat shape that represents the six faces of the Cube unfolded? (Like a sheet metal pattern) The result of Unfolding an extruded square inside the "Group of Nurbs" is a grid of 2D polylines, that are overlapping.

If a complex Extrude is Unfolded (An extruded five point star as an example ...) the result is a splattering of 2D Polylines. Always thought that the Unfold command did not work.

Peter

[Benson Shaw]

Bob Wagner's Unfold plugin does what you are asking for. Find it for download at VectorWiki

http://scs-inc.us/Other/VectorWiki/index.php?title=Geometry_Plug-ins

The Vectorworks Unfold command has limitations, as you describe. It would be great if the command yielded a single shape with fold lines, but, alas, it just creates a bunch of unorganized polygons. As commander, you will have to rearrange the polys to suit. Add this to the wish list. Maybe it will get developed.

Meanwhile, try Bob Wagner, or the colors, holes or edge notch method to identify each part and its orientation.

-B