This SketchUp script assists the user in flattening, or unfolding, 3d objects onto a 2d plane.
Installation
- Download jf_unfoldtool.rb.
- Move the file into your SketchUp/Plugins folder.
- Restart SketchUp.
Usage
- Select the Unfold Tool from the Plugins menu, start selecting faces to unfold. The selected face is unfolded to match next selection.
- Hold the Control key to reverse operation - rotate the subsequent face to match the already selected face(s).
- Alt-click on a face to select all the faces in the same plane.
- Shift-click to toggle selection of faces.
- Click off the model to reset the selection.
I found this video by Dave R demonstrating one use.
7 comments:
Hello Jim,
Q. I was wondering if there is a way to automate your Unfold Tool to step along an object and 'flatten' as it encounters an edge ?
I have used Ruby to generate a 3D shape of a curled ribbon that curves around and angles to the side (can email you the model noting it is still evolving) and I wish to use your Unfold Tool to make the final shape flat so I can mark out and cut some tin sheet to make the curled shape in real life.
We have a characteristic direction (along the length of the ribbon) to get to the next face (and edge) on which to unfold, however, there are lots-and-lots of edges as I have used lots of 'step' increments in my script, which makes it near impossible to do by hand.
Q. Pls advise your email address and I will pass the model.
Regards, AL.
Canberra, ACT
PS: Well done with your site :-)
Hello Jim
I only did discover your plugin today.
This is great work!
Only last week I did unfold some pieces by hand using the rotate tool, your plugin could have saved me some hours!
Thanks for our work.
Regards from Germany
Michael
Hi Jim
I was looking for how to making unfold object for a long time.
But,I did discover your powerfull tool.
I'm obliged to you so much.
I introduced your tool to my Web site.sorry,only japanese.
(http://www.mrkutai.com/2007/12/sketchup_6480.html)
Regards from Tokyo,JP
mrkutai
God, Jim,
If only I saw your plugin two days ago when i had to unfold a whole site and the buildings on it to prepare a cut-and-paste sheet for a cardboard model. Great work!
Regards from Istanbul, Turkey
Faruk Ahmet
Than you Sooooooo much!
I just found your unfold tool yesterday, and it has totally transformed my work process.
I create folding boats and furniture from plastic sheets, and in the past it was a very tedious process to do a 2d drawing in illustrator, print it out, fold it up and then go back to the drawing and tweak and repeat endlessly.
Now I just make my finished product in sketchup and unfold it and print it out!
I could only wish for a couple of features:
A way to easily refold the shapes, as sometimes unfolding reveals a shape that is impossible to fold out of a flat panel, so I have to tweak it and fold it up again to see how the tweaks changed things.
A way to compensate for thickness in the final product, as that affects the final dimensions.
I would be willing to pay for these features to be implemented(especially the first one) if it is not too expensive.
Please let me know if you are interested in a reply
Michael,
You're welcome. I'm glad you found it useful.
You can use Undo to refold at any time during the unfold process. It will remember the selected faces to a point, but it's not perfect.
As for the thickness, I will need to think on how to do it. Please contact me via email.
This blog and SketchUp are at the TOP of my recommended sites. I may even contribute a plug-in once I learn Ruby.
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