Unfolding geometry for a papercut

[MicMac]

Hi there

I want to unfold a geometry in order to make a paper model from it.

So in unfolding it I go from 3D to 2D (flat).

Lets say I have a shape like the one bellow.

In order that the faces do not change shape during the unfolding I need to rotate each face around the edges.

Changing the pivotpoint do not help here because the edges are not vertical.

How do I do that?



Thanks
(Newbee)
Michael

[Piem]

Hello
Welcome
Changing the pivot point helps if you set the mode selection : "selection" and not world or else.
Then, all you have to do is to select the object or its faces then rotate with the manipulator.
Because "selection" as selection mode is based on the normals so the axis follows the true direction of the object.

[MicMac]

Originally Posted by Piem

Hello
Welcome
Changing the pivot point helps if you set the mode selection : "selection" and not world or else.
Then, all you have to do is to select the object or its faces then rotate with the manipulator.
Because "selection" as selection mode is based on the normals so the axis follows the true direction of the object.

Wow Piem That was fast!

Tested and working!

Thanks a lot

Michael

[MicMac]

Originally Posted by MicMac

Tested and working!
l

No it does not work

If I select multiple faces the pivot edge becomes uncertain.

Michael

[Ascania]

Have you considered just using a specialised tool for it?

[juanmanuel]

Pepakura is awesome. You should REALLY try it.

[MicMac]

Originally Posted by Ascania

Have you considered just using a specialised tool for it?

Thanks it looks that it is the right tool for unfolding geometry.
Interesting that there is a whole community around it.

But I am on a Mac and it is Windows only.

There is also the very expensive TouchCAD 3.5.1 for unfolding models.

Still I think a modeling app like Hex should be able to rotate a few faces around an edge. Can Carrara do that?

Michael

[chrisd]

Don't give up on Hexagon yet, because it can unfold textures. There may also be a way to get the unfolded geometry as well.

Also, search online for the older versions of Amapi (like 5) that have free licenses available. (FYI, If you have Carrara4 Pro, you should also have Amapi Designer). I recall coming across unfolding there and was surprised that Amapi has this ability.


Chris

[MicMac]

Originally Posted by chrisd

Don't give up on Hexagon yet, because it can unfold textures. There may also be a way to get the unfolded geometry as well.

Also, search online for the older versions of Amapi (like 5) that have free licenses available. (FYI, If you have Carrara4 Pro, you should also have Amapi Designer). I recall coming across unfolding there and was surprised that Amapi has this ability.


Chris

Hi Chris

I thought that using UV would change the shapes of the faces in order to lay flat.

Michael

[chrisd]

I thought that distorting the texture and maintaining undistorted geometry when flattened might also be an option. I have not used Hex that much for texturing, so perhaps its NOT possible.

FYI Amapi 5 and 6 are available in the downloads section on Polyloop!

Chris

[MicMac]

Originally Posted by chrisd

I thought that distorting the texture and maintaining undistorted geometry when flattened might also be an option. I have not used Hex that much for texturing, so perhaps its NOT possible.

FYI Amapi 5 and 6 are available in the downloads section on Polyloop!

Chris

Thanks again Chris

I will look into it.

Michael