Okay, I've done a simple design...

**mousemuffins** · #1 04-02-2009, 10:23 PM

...in sketchup (I've downloaded Blender, but it's a bit daunting. maybe later...)

here's some pictures of what I've done:

there are more pieces, but as you can see, they're pretty simple.

here's a pic of where i'm going:

most of the detail will be just flat 1mm and 2mm card pieces, and a butload of rivets.

Now question is, is there someone out there who could quickly unfold these (given the sketchup files)into a printable format? No need for tabs, as they will be use more as templates than finished model bits.

Failing that, how do I take a flat 2D design (i.e: unfolded) and make it printable?

thanks,

Craig.

**PaperMakeiT** · #2 04-03-2009, 01:34 AM

Haven't you still managed to unfold it with the free tool?

http://sketchuptips.blogspot.com/200...-unfoldrb.html

**mousemuffins** · #3 04-03-2009, 05:12 AM

i managed one track guard, but the other pieces don't want to unfold in the directions I want them to. for example, folding over onto themselves.

**PaperMakeiT** · #4 04-03-2009, 05:46 AM

Unfortunately I'm not using Sketch... Have you tried to sub-divide your model into more than one file and unfold single pieces at time? Sometime this works...

**mousemuffins** · #5 04-03-2009, 06:09 AM

Allrighty. I've chopped it into more pieces, and managed this piece:

now how do i print this out ?

Baby steps. baby steps.

**PaperMakeiT** · #6 04-03-2009, 10:41 AM

??? There should be something like File->Print after selecting the object... ????

**mousemuffins** · #7 04-03-2009, 05:42 PM

Yes, but it dosnt come out all flat and ready to use, just as you see it. Do I need to export the image into something else perhaps?

oh wait. there's a 2D function here. I'll try that.

Well, it's a top down view, at least. But I cant make it print the size I want. :P

Oh rats. I'm thinking maybe sketchup's just not up to the job. But Blender looks SOOO hideously complicated, and I've only a tiny monitor.

**cgutzmer** · #8 04-03-2009, 06:08 PM

I am working on a very basic tutorial.... hopefully it will help you get started in blender

looks like you did a great design so far here though! Can you export as an obj then import into blender? :D

**willygoat** · #9 04-03-2009, 07:47 PM

OOOOoooooo. A Blender tutorial! I'm looking forward to that. I have it downloaded and have tried to play a bit, but it's pretty daunting when you only have a few minutes a week to learn.

**mousemuffins** · #10 04-03-2009, 07:54 PM

ooohhh. groovy. i hope it's " this is how you draw a cube. this is how you unfold a cube. this is how you print a cube." sort of simple.

sketchup is very limited. I dont think you can do cones, and things like spheres seem to be out of the question. even ones with lots of facets.