Unfolding a Surface

Unfold lets you unfold a surface. The surface can be ruled or unruled one.

This task shows you how to:

Before you begin:

Create a 3D shape containing a surface.

 

See Also
More help on this topic

Create an Unfolded Surface

You can create an unfolded ruled surface.

  1. In the Surface to unfold box, select the surface to be unfolded.

    Note:
    • If the surface to unfold has no vertex belonging to one face (for example, a closed surface), the reference origin and direction are not automatically valuated.
    • The surface must be connected and manifold. When the local axis system is modified, all related features are updated.

  2. In the Origin box, select the reference origin that is a point on the surface to unfold.
  3. In the Direction box, select the reference direction that is the edge of the surface whose extremity is the point.

    Note: The reference direction is determined by the projection of the reference direction onto the plane tangent to the surface to unfold (Ui).

  4. Select the Reverse Uf check box to reverse the final U direction.
  5. Select the curves to tear.

    Click either the 3D flag or the curve or the edge.

    If no edge of the surface can be defined as candidate, an information message is issued and the Curves to Tear tab displays a list of edges to be selected. The selection of curves or edges to tear is optional if there is no curve or edge to tear.
  6. Click OK to unfold the surface.