MoI discussion forum
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Full Version: Flatten curves

From: Matadem
28 Jan   [#1]
Good day
How would one do this? I tried it with flow but I lost here

Tried to flatten the curves cut it and shape it back

Tnx!

Attachments:
fl2.3dm

Image Attachments:
fl1.jpg 


From: bemfarmer
28 Jan   [#2] In reply to [#1]
Michael's UnwrapCurve script will to the "flattening". Can use it as shortcut key.

- Brian
From: Michael Gibson
28 Jan   [#3] In reply to [#1]
Hi Matadem, MoI does not have a general developable surface unwrapper. Check out Rhino for that.

But for the case of a cylinder you can try doing it in MoI using using curve to curve flow.

You will need to create a line that is the same length as the circle circumference. You can do this either by getting the length of the circle using Details... > Curve properties > "Length" and then create a line of that length or also the UnwrapCurve plugin mentioned by Brian above can do it. UnwrapCurve is here:
http://moi3d.com/forum/index.php?webtag=MOI&msg=5136.1

Place the line at the bottom point of the circle like this:


Now select the curve you want to flatten. And run Transform > Deform > Flow. When the prompt says "Select base curve or surface", select the circle as the base curve. The next prompt will say "select target curve near matching end". Click on the line.

- Michael

Image Attachments:
unwrap1.png 


From: Matadem
28 Jan   [#4]
I do not have Rhino.
But I did find a quick solution
Export as 3d stl from Moi to Pepakura designer - unfold, export as dwg/svg back to Moi edit as needed then send to cut.

Tnx!

Image Attachments:
pkra.JPG 


From: Michael Gibson
28 Jan   [#5] In reply to [#4]
Hi Matadem, with that method watch out for gaps between pieces. Pepakura designer is more meant to handle low polygon output where you are going to fold paper along poly edges.

But it looks like it's handling your case as a larger developable surface ok.

- Michael
From: Craig (CRAIGVICTOR)
7 Mar   [#6] In reply to [#4]
As Michael mentioned Rhino is great for very accurately unwrapping surfaces. I've designed complex tube notched structures, unrolled the tubes, and used a cricket cutter to create full size templates. Everything fit perfectly in the real world and welded up nicely. It's amazing to have the ability to create a complete set of templates and jigs in moi3d that translates into a perfect fit in steel.

Image Attachments:
IMG_4110.jpeg  IMG_4127.jpeg  IMG_4132.jpeg  IMG_4155.jpeg 


From: Matadem
7 Mar   [#7]
Yep hopefully Moi will get this feature in the future.
Because I use Moi for everything lol....from paper to metal, from concept to reality :D
From: Frenchy Pilou (PILOU)
7 Mar   [#8]
You have FormZ Free for Unfold! ;) (FormZ to Moi in step
Minute 24.10 That was Version 9, totay it's V 10 ;)

From: pressure (PEER)
8 Mar   [#9] In reply to [#6]
Hi Craig,

Thanks for sharing your template technique. That is pretty cool!

- Peer
From: Craig (CRAIGVICTOR)
13 Mar   [#10] In reply to [#9]
Your welcome! I had a blast figuring it out and was happy to find that it worked well. Looking forward to using it on a larger scale project.