1. 7cad_Unfold

In the first tab, to unfold a general 3D shape, you have to specify a layout paper first. A layout paper is a block names "7cad unfold layout". Its original size is A4, landscape. Insert it to the model and scale it up or down to match with your model scale. When unfold command runs, it will populate unfold faces into many layout papers.

There are option to insert face and edge tags to unfold faces. Print out these tags can help you to find the right position to connect cutouts together.

Because the results of the command are cutouts to make real world model, please make sure you have a decimated 3D model that simple enough for the tasks. In the screenshot, there are image of unfold layouts from a horse model. The horse mesh is too complicated, therefore, the result contains thousand of pieces and it is useless. In this case, the horse needs decimated to reduce the number of triangular faces.

2. 7cad_FoldUp

After the unfold command has done the job, you can run the 7cad_FoldUp command to see how the flattened unfold faces can be folded up and get back to the original. This command will create a block named "Fold Up Animation". Within the block, all animation items are put into layers named "Fold Up Animation 1", "Fold Up Animation 2", ... Click the "Forward" and "Back" arrows to see the animation.

This demonstration command has a pretty nice feature: it folds up not only the polylines, but also objects found within those polylines. If you decorate the unfolded layout with some linework of flowers (see screenshot), the Fold Up Animation will include all the flowers.

3. 7cad_Cutout

Manually edit your unfold layouts by moving faces back and forth. Finally, you can use this command to make cutout polylines. If you are using a cutting machine, you can export these cutout polylines to DXF files and send them.

The installer that ran when you downloaded this app/plug-in from Autodesk App Store will start installing the app/plug-in. OR, simply double-click the downloaded installer to install the app/plugin. You may need to restart the Autodesk product to activate the app/plug-in. To uninstall this plug-in, exit the Autodesk product if you are currently running it, simply rerun the installer, and select the "Uninstall" button. OR, click Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features (Windows 10/11) and uninstall as you would any other application from your system.

The app can only unfold a 3D model with flat faces, and edges are straight lines. It also doesn't support surfaces with thickness.