topic Re: Need to flatten a 3D Object in autocad to see what it looks like when not be in AutoCAD Forum

Need to flatten a 3D Object in autocad to see what it looks like when not bent

Anonymous — Tue, 24 Apr 2018 16:35:30 GMT

I got sent a 3d line object in autocad, I want to flatten it to see what it looks like when it is spread out instead of bent.

Re: Need to flatten a 3D Object in autocad to see what it looks like when not be

dgorsman — Tue, 24 Apr 2018 16:51:46 GMT

There is no "unfold" tool in basic AutoCAD. You'll need to break it up into segments and ALIGN to line up each segment.

Re: Need to flatten a 3D Object in autocad to see what it looks like when not be

john.vellek — Tue, 24 Apr 2018 16:52:27 GMT

Hi @Anonymous,

I see that you are visiting as a new member to the AutoCAD forum. Welcome to the Autodesk Community!

It is a bit difficult to see what you are asking for without seeing the drawing file or at least an image. Inventor has the ability to unfold geometry and you might find a plug-in for AutoCAD in the Autodesk App Store.

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

Re: Need to flatten a 3D Object in autocad to see what it looks like when not be

Kent1Cooper — Tue, 24 Apr 2018 16:56:36 GMT

Like >this<, perhaps? It straightens it all out into a line in one direction, but with segments of the same lengths as the original, but I'm not sure from your description whether you want that. If not, an image or sample drawing would help.

Re: Need to flatten a 3D Object in autocad to see what it looks like when not be

Anonymous — Tue, 24 Apr 2018 17:45:59 GMT

It's a 3d object that looks like the file attached, I would like to spread it flat while keeping the lengths.

john.vellek has embedded your image(s) for clarity

Re: Need to flatten a 3D Object in autocad to see what it looks like when not be

Kent1Cooper — Tue, 24 Apr 2018 17:57:34 GMT

I was misled by the wording "3D line object" in Post 1 -- this looks quite different.

You could separate the major-triangular portions from each other, and tilt them all onto the XY plane with 3DALIGN, and then attach them to each other again on the flat plane with ALIGN.

Re: Need to flatten a 3D Object in autocad to see what it looks like when not be

Anonymous — Tue, 24 Apr 2018 18:26:56 GMT

I am unable to separate them into different parts

john.vellek has embedded your image(s) for clarity

Re: Need to flatten a 3D Object in autocad to see what it looks like when not be

john.vellek — Tue, 24 Apr 2018 18:27:55 GMT

Hi @Anonymous,

is it possible to attach your drawing so I can take a look? Explode should work but I am hoping to find some other means to do this action.

Re: Need to flatten a 3D Object in autocad to see what it looks like when not be

Anonymous — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 10:10:06 GMT

How do I use the 3DALIGN?

Re: Need to flatten a 3D Object in autocad to see what it looks like when not be

john.vellek — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 17:36:30 GMT

HI @Anonymous,

Here is a video that should help you learn 3DALIGN in AutoCAD.

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

Re: Need to flatten a 3D Object in autocad to see what it looks like when not be

john.vellek — Mon, 30 Apr 2018 19:34:45 GMT

Hi @Anonymous,

I am checking back to see if my post or others helped you with your problem. Please mark a post or posts as accepted solutions if they resolved the issue or give me a bit more detail on this issue so we can continue to work towards getting this solved.

Please hit the Accept as Solution button if a post or posts solves your issue or answers your question.