topic Re: Effective Method Of Converting These 3D Models To 2D Nets? in AutoCAD Forum

Effective Method Of Converting These 3D Models To 2D Nets?

Anonymous — Tue, 12 Dec 2017 01:09:48 GMT

Hi everyone,

I'm converting slightly complex 3D shapes into 2D nets for the first time. Previously I have manually drawn out my 2D nets, but I want to avoid doing it manually for fear of getting any of the angles wrong, plus in this case I have quite a few to make.

I want the 2D nets of the black and red components in the attached file. They are 0.5mm thick so I'm not sure if this poses any extra challenges.

I believe there are add-ons that can help with this, but if possible, I'd like to make my nets in default AutoCAD 2017.

I'd appreciate any recommendations!

Re: Effective Method Of Converting These 3D Models To 2D Nets?

Anonymous — Tue, 12 Dec 2017 20:08:09 GMT

Try XEDGES to extract the edge geometry, if you need a flat of each then use FLATSHOT.

Re: Effective Method Of Converting These 3D Models To 2D Nets?

john.vellek — Tue, 12 Dec 2017 20:17:59 GMT

Hi @Anonymous,

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

@Anonymous is pretty fast!

I was thinking that you might create a viewport with the create orientation and then use EXPORTLAYOUT to get this into 2D. That is really fast but I am not sure it works for your process. I did this with your file and I have attached it so you can examine it.

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

Re: Effective Method Of Converting These 3D Models To 2D Nets?

john.vellek — Wed, 13 Dec 2017 22:14:58 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.

Re: Effective Method Of Converting These 3D Models To 2D Nets?

Alfred.NESWADBA — Wed, 13 Dec 2017 22:24:00 GMT

Hi,

are you speaking about sheet metal unfolding?

- alfred -

Re: Effective Method Of Converting These 3D Models To 2D Nets?

Anonymous — Fri, 15 Dec 2017 21:55:49 GMT

Hi!

Sorry I couldn't reply sooner, I had been very tired up for the past couple of days. The screenshot you attached isn't what I had in mind unfortunately. Basically, I want to unfold the shapes into nets that can then be used to die cut cardboard for assembly, so that I can make the shapes shown in the CAD file in real life.

Re: Effective Method Of Converting These 3D Models To 2D Nets?

Anonymous — Fri, 15 Dec 2017 21:58:39 GMT

Hi!

I'm not familiar with CAD terms so for clarity I'd like to quickly explain exactly what my intentions are:

The file is a mockup of packaging that I'd like to make in real life. I want to prototype the shapes shown in the file, so I'm trying to unfold the shapes into nets, which I can then use to die cut cardboard and assemble in real life.

Best,

Jack

Re: Effective Method Of Converting These 3D Models To 2D Nets?

Alfred.NESWADBA — Fri, 15 Dec 2017 22:29:16 GMT

Hi,

>> I'm trying to unfold the shapes into nets

Well, that can't be done with AutoCAD itself, you need another product to do that (I think Inventor can do this) or you need a 3rd party application for that job.

Sorry, - alfred -

Re: Effective Method Of Converting These 3D Models To 2D Nets?

Anonymous — Fri, 15 Dec 2017 22:55:25 GMT

Thank you, I'll check out inventor!

Re: Effective Method Of Converting These 3D Models To 2D Nets?

Anonymous — Mon, 18 Dec 2017 13:54:59 GMT

What you are trying to do is referred to as a development. I haven't done these in a while but I believe this is what you're going for. Someone else from the community can probably do this much better than i can but for a general direction, is this correct?

Re: Effective Method Of Converting These 3D Models To 2D Nets?

Anonymous — Tue, 19 Dec 2017 11:34:54 GMT

Yes, I'd like to do something like that, but without doubling up the walls. I increased the thickness of the walls in CAD to better visualise the model, I wouldn't want to die cut separate inner and outer walls.