Hi Guy, sorry no - an unfolding mechanism is much more complex than what you're describing, it's way more work than can be done in a simple script, it would take a considerable amount of time for me to develop it so I do not expect to have that anytime soon.

There are various other already existing tools you can use for unfolding though, you will need to use one of them in combination with MoI to get that kind of a job done.

It looks like you already are familiar with one for SketchUp, you might also want to check out Lamina Design, check out these previous threads for some links to some software that can help you do that:
http://moi3d.com/forum/messages.php?webtag=MOI&msg=5550.1
http://moi3d.com/forum/messages.php?webtag=MOI&msg=5463.1
http://moi3d.com/forum/index.php?webtag=MOI&msg=3042.8


Right now MoI is not set up to manipulate mesh objects during modeling time, only for export, so what you are asking for would involve adding quite a lot of mesh processing code into the modeling environment of MoI, making it a considerable job.

I think Form-Z also has some tools for polygon unfolding as well if I remember right, you might also look there.

Things that involve processing polygon mesh data are basically outside of the scope of what MoI is designed to work with - MoI can generate polygon mesh data for export to a polygon mesh handling program but if you need specific functions to process the mesh data like for rendering or in your particular case unfolding that is something that you'll need to use a program that is focused on processing polygon mesh data to handle for you.

- Michael

Hi Michael,

The first link you gave pointed to my own discussion with my actual I/O SU Unfold tool solution O:-)
Unfortunately this works not very well because it is not precise enough for what I have to do : aligned meshes in SU with the Unfold Tool (or the 2 other SU unfold plug-ins) are not exactly matching the same plan. This could work for many folks as it is just few parts of millimeter only, but enough to ruin my aim.

But of course if it is too much coding work I understand you don't want to do what I suggested.

Yes, as you tell it Form-Z seems to do the unfolding job.

As I understand your words, MoI will never deal with meshes nor any unfolding process, so for this use I will investigate further in 3D modelers world to find my needed tools.

-- EDITION -

Well, in fact the best fit for my needs is a combination of MoI with SU as the work flow I have reported already :

1 modeling within MoI
2 exporting in SKP (meshes) file format
3 using "Unfold Tool" SU plug-in to unfold the surfaces needed for the plan
4 Exporting DXF with "Export DXF/STL" SU plug-in
5 opening this DXF within MoI to clean and make a cool planar drawing well fitted.

Best Regards,
Guy

Hi Guy,

> As I understand your words, MoI will never deal with meshes nor any unfolding process, so
> for this use I will investigate further in 3D modelers world to find my needed tools.

Yes, that's correct. ... Well, I'm not sure about "never" but at least not for quite some time. Functions that involve editing or processing polygon mesh data (other than for export) are not currently a focus for MoI, MoI is focused on working with NURBS data.

- Michael

Hi Michael,

Yes, understood, but "workarounding" please read my edited message above ;-)

My best,
Guy

Hi Guy, that's great that you have a sequence that will work for you!

- Michael