Unfolder is a graphical edition tool for 3d files unfolding pattern.

• It is available as installable version for Linux or Windows (see releases)
• and also directly on web browser with Web Assembly version
• some exemples volumes are available here.

• Automatic model unfolding
• graphical edition of an unfolding pattern
• SVG Format export of an unfolding pattern (cutting machines fitted paths).

• logical division into pages
• moving/rotating pieces
• split/stick pieces by selecting common edge.
• flap flipping by clicking on edge number.
• zoom to view overall pattern or only detail of a piece

• To create a pattern from a selected 3d file.
• Accepted file format is .obj.
• Sizing convention : 1 OBJ File unit = 1 mm.
• File will be unfolded all at once unless it has material data
• Each zone having contiguous faces of same material will be unfolded separately.

• Once a pattern created, it can be saved (File menu, Save option).
• File format to use is .dat.

• A .dat file can be opened (File menu, Open option)
• The pattern is loaded, ready for edition.
• ⚠️ all parameters are not (currently) saved, so they need to be selected again, depending on what is needed.

• Current pattern can be exported to a .svg file (file menu, Export option).
• this export file holds vector paths that can be used by cutting machines.
• each piece has one path by action type, each of them having its own color :
  • red for the cutting path
  • green for the valley fold path
  • brown for the mountain fold path
  • black for edges numbers paths
  • blue for piece numbers paths
• When importing into Cricut machines Design Space software, colors (shown when action = basic cut) to know how each path must be parametrized, and each page paths need to be attached. It is not possible for the moment to directly inject those data so that a Cricut design would be pre-parametrized.

• File menu Quit option closes the Unfolder.

• Display menu gives options to alter display, by changing zoom level, options that are also available as keyboard shortcuts :
  • Zoom In : +
  • Zoom 1:1 : 0
  • Zoom Out : -

• Pattern menu gives options to change the pattern's parameters : page format, numbering, flaps format.

• Change pagination (logical cutout) of the pattern.
• ⚠️ it's only a visual guide, however it dictates the page where each pieces is. The export will use page layout and create only one set of paths for all its pieces.

This option refresh edges numbering that numerous operations could have disturbed.

• The three flaps modes are :
  • none (default mode, useful for cardboarding, thick materials)
  • 1 flap / edges pair (useful for papercraft, click on the edge number flips the corresponding flap)
  • All (useful for fabric)

This option modifies flaps height.

• Piece menu gives option to move/turn the current piece, also with corresponding keyboard shortcuts :

  • Up : CTRL + ⬆️

  • Right : CTRL + ➡️

  • Left : CTRL + ⬅️

  • Down : CTRL + ⬇️

  • Turn 5° Right : '*'

  • Turn 15° Right : ALT + '*'

  • Turn 1° Right : CTRL + '*'

  • Turn 5° Left : '/'

  • Turn 1° Left : CTRL + '/'

  • Turn 1° Left : ALT + '/'

• Click on "Wiki" to open Unfolder's Wiki (this document) into your default internet browser.
• "Videos" open a YouTube playlist with videos about Unfolding.

• Graphical editing is done with mouse or/and keyboard.

• To move or turn a piece, it must first be selected, by clicking on its number (centered blue number).
• To move the selected piece, just slide the mouse while maintaining the button clicked then release it.
• It is also possible to move the selected piece by using keyboard (CTRL + ⬅️ ou ⬇️ ou ⬆️ ou ➡️ ).
• To turn the selected piece, use the corresponded keyboard shortcut :
  • / to turn left or * to turn right (keys on top of the keyboard numeric pad)
  • by default the rotation angle is 5°
  • combine with ALT for a broader 15° rotation angle
  • combine with CTRL for a smaller 1° rotation angle

• When there is already a selection, you just need to drag-and-drop one of the selected pieces to move them all, and it is also possible to extend the selection to a new pieces by draggging-and-dropping this new piece.
• It is also possible to make a new selection by creating a rectangle with the mouse : click to start the rectangle then move the mouse to extend the rectangle from the starting point. When you release the mouse button, all pieces that intesect with the rectangle become selected.

• When hovering the mouse on an edge, it is highlighted (yellow).
• If the edge is an outside edge, a (green) line is drawn reaching its corresponding edge.
• a click on an outside edge will try to join the two corresponding pieces.
• However nothing will happen if the two edges already share the same piece, they need to be split before.
• A clic on an inner edge will split the piece in two from this edge.

• I use Wings 3d which is a 3d modeler simple to use (it only focuses on modeling)
• It is useful first to scale the 3d model, then to split it to pieces by coloring faces.

• Create a bounding box (Tools menu / Bounding box/ Bounding box, OK)
• Change to Body selection mode
• Select the model
• Scale BB to selection / All (Tools menu / Bounding Box/ eponymous menu)
• View the dimensions (Tools menu / Bounding box / Bounding box)

• Select the model
• View the Bounding Box and change values (for example Y = 200 cm for 20 cm height)
• Pass on the changes (Tools menu / Bounding box / Save to scale BB proportionally, change Y)

• A piece is a set of contiguous faces of same color

• Change to face selection mode

• Open Palette window (Window menu / Palette)

• Select faces, click on a color

• Continue until you have as many pieces as needed.

• .obj file format doesn't handle faces colors but only faces materials, so the colors must be converted to materials which is done like that :

  • Change to body selection mode
  • Select the model
  • Right click / Vertex Attributes / Colors to Materials
  • Export to .obj (File menu / Export / Obj), select One group per material (first option).