Surface flatten tool like solidwors

[FABRIZIO.BREVIARIO]

Hi everyone,
I use fusion 360 surfaces a lot and every time I have to flatten them to create a cutting shape (Laser, plotter for fabrics or paper printing) I have to switch to external programs such as meshmixer or exactflat.
On meshmixer the scale varies a lot and it doesn't seem so precise to me.
Does anyone know of a way to avoid this step through a plugin or if a tool like the solid works surface flatten will be added in the future?

I linked a video that shows the solid works tool to give an idea of what i'm asking.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8suhNQvnJI

Thanks in advance for your answers

[TheCADWhisperer · Accepted solution]

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@FABRIZIO.BREVIARIO wrote:

…through a plugin or if a tool like the solid works surface flatten will be added in the future?

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@FABRIZIO.BREVIARIO

Autodesk Inventor Professional is the Autodesk product equivalent of SOLIDWORKS.

In Autodesk Inventor Professional use the Unwrap tool.

Can you File>Export your *.f3d file to your local drive and then Attach it here to a Reply for example of Unwrap.

[MichaelT_123]

Hi Mr FABRIZIO.BREVIARIO,

Flattening a surface is not a trivial process. There are many technical, mathematical and topological problems to be addressed. Even POWERFUL&EXPENSIVE SolidWorks has equipped itself with such a tool not so long ago.

However, do not lose hope! Knock on F360 doors; one day, you might see a light in the gap.

Also, if you are optimistic enough, wait for Artificial Intelligence … and after spelling out the secret charm, all will be flattened for you … intelligently.

Hopefully, tomorrow or the day after, I will present a demo of how flattening might look like (in F360).

Do not expect a tool or a script … but only visuals. I will post it separately (to manage it better) with the title starting with a capital 'F'.

Regards

MichaelT

[hfcandrew]

In my experience if you export your model as an .stl with a high density mesh and remesh a second time within Meshmixer. Meshmixer has an Unwrap accuracy, and speed, that surpasses any other software. I have never had any scale issues. I'm not sure what black magic is going on in its processing algorithms but she's gold.

It can even do organic complex shapes that are impossible in some softwares. If you get an unexpected result just play around a bit with the different settings or make some face groups..

https://help.autodesk.com/view/MSHMXR/2019/ENU/?guid=GUID-BE9A6C80-A200-41BA-A891-C7B444D6AE83

[MichaelT_123]

FYI,

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/fusion-360-design-validate/flattening-surface/td-p/12059033

Regards

MichaelT

[FABRIZIO.BREVIARIO]

Thank you very much I solved it now I just have to get used to using inventor again😂