Help needed with unfolding truncated cones

[sgoti]

Hi!

Let me add my two finds to the mix:

ConeCalc

and

Cone Calculator

Both allow you to go online and enter diameters, heights, angles, etc and will give you the resulting shape, size, etc.

But wait, there's more!

ConeCalc has a desktop version you can download, which also give you the option to print out the piece or save in .dxf format. Printing to a PDF printer yields a file you can open in a graphics editor and either manipulate directly or trace over. (Note: in my tests, I was unable to open the dxf file directly in Adobe Illustrator. I had to import it into a cad program first, then re-export in a better format for Illustrator).

Cone Calculator is another online (only) tool, but it will also allow you to print a PDF of the resulting part.

Bruno- Thank you for your tutorial on calculations! The formulae were extremely helpful, especially the ones for a slanted cone.

[Art Deco]

I second the recommendation for Conecalc! Simple, effective, nicely implemented.

I don't export a file, I just use the solution data to plot the resulting plan in Photoshop (it's just two circles and two lines).

[scissorsandplanes]

Hi Zubie,
I read about your experiment of using a spreadsheet to design a flattened cone. I use the other super design program Word. (it is also possible in OpenOffice Writer)
Since I never find the time to write an extensive tutorial on how to design a complete model in MS Word, here is a very short one on drawing a cone section in Word.

Hope that helps

Bruno

[maurice]

(a slanted cone is a completely different story)

Since I suspect you may be meaning an oblique cone with circular base why not check out the 4 offerings at
Sheet Metal Software by Ty Harness
free, no learning curve, vector pdf output by virtual printer, doesn't say if they still work in Win 8.

Can do much of what Cone Layout can achieve
https://www.conelayout.com/