Struggling with meshmixer unwrap of simple surfaces.

[Tulkas33]

I am trying to design a tent and unwrap surfaces in meshmixer to create patterns for cutting and sewing. I feel like I am following video tutorials step by step, but I am getting unexpected results. Meshmixer either flattens the shape to something asymmetrical (This may have something to do with the save as mesh in fusion, since they don't look symmetrical there either, even though I believe the object to be symmetrical), creates an odd loop or kink in the flattened shape, or refuses to flatten at all. In some cases, it appears to complete the flatten but the template is not visible. I would really appreciate any help in understanding what is wrong with my workflow and why the meshes I'm exporting don't appear even.

[wersy]

Single curved surfaces can be unwrapped in Fusion.

[TheCADWhisperer]

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@wersy wrote:

Single curved surfaces can be unwrapped in Fusion.

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Need a planar face in Fusion.

(It can be tiny - I usually create larger and then change the size after the Flat Pattern has been generated.)

[TrippyLighting]

To elaborate on @wersy's post, this object can be unfolded if you employ a sheet metal workflow.

Unfortunately we still cannot flatten/unfold even the simplest surfaces without using a sheet metal workflow.   

[hfcandrew]

Your mesh density is probably too low and/or non-uniform with sliver triangles.

Read/watch here: https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/fusion-design-validate-document/twisting-rectangle-t...

[wersy]

To be absolutely sure that the surface is only simply bent, I used extrusion instead of loft.
However, there is still a problem.

[TrippyLighting]

Extend the surface with the tangent option (default is "normal") and then thicken. Then it flat patterns fine. 

[wersy]

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@TrippyLighting  schrieb:

Extend the surface with the tangent option (default is "normal") and then thicken. Then it flat patterns fine. 

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Thank You.

But there is still the same problem.

[TrippyLighting]

I might have misunderstood what the problem is 😉

IN the viewport It doesn't look like there are sketch objects created for the flat pattern. However, when you export it as a .dxf file and open that, there is actually a flat pattern present.

[wersy]

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@TrippyLighting  schrieb:

I might have misunderstood what the problem is 😉

IN the viewport It doesn't look like there are sketch objects created for the flat pattern. However, when you export it as a .dxf file and open that, there is actually a flat pattern present.

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How can I export as dxf if I have no sketch?

Can you please make a video?

[TheCADWhisperer · Accepted solution]

Flat Pattern

Start new sketch on the face.

P for Project and select the face.

Right click on the sketch in the browser and Save as dxf

[TrippyLighting]

The flat pattern can be exported to a DXF file without the need to create a sketch and projections YMMV:

[wersy]

Thanks @TrippyLighting and @TheCADWhisperer 

Now I got it. I must creat a sketch before the solid flips back.

But why does it bend back again?

[wersy]

No problem for the other part, but it need to be a separate component.

Edit

Imported DXFs, copied, mirrored, moved.

[TrippyLighting · Accepted solution]

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@wersy wrote:

Thanks @TrippyLighting and @TheCADWhisperer 

Now I got it. I must creat a sketch before the solid flips back.

But why does it bend back again?

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A flat pattern is a flat pattern for manufacturing purposes. It isn't a modeling tool! Hence the bent object "flips back" when you finish the flat pattern.

If you need to flatten the object to add / change geometry, then use unfold, modify the geometry, followed by a re-fold.

[wersy · Accepted solution]

As I have never worked with sheet metal before, I also wanted to try it out on a printed model.

In order for it to be glued, it needs support.

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So, if it has helped you, please mark the helped comments as solved.