[Plugin] Flattery papercraft tools

Pumpkin Pirate · 9 Apr 2010, 00:20

Hello everyone!
A while ago, I made a plugin for designing papercraft patterns. It allows you to unfold models into flat patterns, add tabs, and export them as SVGs. Just recently, I finally got around to polishing it up and putting it online. I call it Flattery, and you can get it here.[mod=:d3wg1npy]NOTE the latest version available from the PluginStore works in >= v2014 AND also earlier versions...
TIG
.[/mod:d3wg1npy]http://sketchucation.com/pluginstore?pln=Flattery

It's got three main tools for designing patterns.

The Unfold tool unfolds models into flat patterns:

the Reunite Edges tool lets you adjust the layout of the patterns:

and the Add Tabs tool makes glue tabs:

It's also got an SVG export button so you can export your pattern to a program like Illustrator or Inkscape to color and print it.

EscapeArtist · 9 Apr 2010, 02:07

Nice. This could also be used for simple sheet metal patterns. Thanks!

pilou · 9 Apr 2010, 08:59

Seems a true gem!

Gaieus · 9 Apr 2010, 10:07

This is very cool! I know Jim has a plugin to unfold geometry but this seems to be a much more "advanced" tool!
Then there is the Waybe plugin but then that's commercial.

So this will definitely be a hit for many hobbyists and such!

If you do not mind, I have "borrowed" some of your images for The Daily CatchUp.

xrok1 · 9 Apr 2010, 14:11

very nice. it would be great if you could predefine the tab sizes or have all tabs after the first one be doubleclick to repeat size. also the option to have auto number tab and corresponding edge (one that appears red when creating tab).

MALAISE · 9 Apr 2010, 16:07

Thanks for this really usefull plugin. Pumpkin Pirate

I like it.

PAM

Pumpkin Pirate · 9 Apr 2010, 16:12

@gaieus said:

This is very cool! I know Jim has a plugin to unfold geometry but this seems to be a much more "advanced" tool!
Then there is the Waybe plugin but then that's commercial.

So this will definitely be a hit for many hobbyists and such!

If you do not mind, I have "borrowed" some of your images for The Daily CatchUp.

Wow, no, I don't mind at all! In fact I'm thrilled!

@xrok1 said:

very nice. it would be great if you could predefine the tab sizes or have all tabs after the first one be doubleclick to repeat size. also the option to have auto number tab and corresponding edge (one that appears red when creating tab).

A setting for the width of the double-click tabs seems like a pretty good idea. Not so sure about automatic numbering, though. It would be kind of difficult to get it into the SVG file in a reliable way, and I've generally found that it's hard to know the best order to glue tabs in until you've tried putting the model together a few times. I'll think about it though.

xrok1 · 9 Apr 2010, 16:40

thanks for considering it. with regards to the numbering, its not for the order of assembly, i was thinking more for organizing what goes where when gluing. (tab A glues to edge A) but you could glue tab Z to edge Z first it doesn't matter.

utiler · 10 Apr 2010, 01:27

Very cool mate; and very generous!!!
Welcome the the forum!

pilou · 10 Apr 2010, 02:06

Not sure that I have patience to glue all the pieces
But very cool plug!

ideas_arte · 11 Apr 2010, 09:41

wonderful! very very very grateful to you.
This plugin has me very happy!

Best wishes

Mike Lucey · 11 Apr 2010, 20:43

Thanks Pumkin Pirate,

This plugin will prove to be very useful. BTW, I have made a donation and hope that others will do likewise to help you continue its development

Mike

Pumpkin Pirate · 11 Apr 2010, 21:14

@mike lucey said:

Thanks Pumkin Pirate,

This plugin will prove to be very useful. BTW, I have made a donation and hope that others will do likewise to help you continue its development

Mike

Wow, Thank you! I'm glad you found it useful. I'm going to do my best to keep it steadily improving.

tfdesign · 14 Apr 2010, 08:53

@escapeartist said:

This could also be used for simple sheet metal patterns.

Exactly my thoughts too! If bend radii could be specified too, as well as thickness (I haven't checked yet), this tool will be as powerful as the one in Solidworks!

A brilliant addition. Thanks very much!

Tom

no8one · 24 Sept 2010, 17:18

Heyy !!
plzz some help
i downloaded this awesome plugin but when i put it in the plugins folder it's not shown in skitchup
and i tired it on 2 computers
plzz helpp ,,

Subsonic Mike · 6 Mar 2011, 15:45

I need help to.
I do all that it says in the readme but it doesn't appear on sketchup
Please help!

TIG · 6 Mar 2011, 16:16

@subsonic mike said:

I need help to.
I do all that it says in the readme but it doesn't appear on sketchup
Please help!

Did you activate its Extension under Preferences

Subsonic Mike · 6 Mar 2011, 16:30

No, how?

mitcorb · 6 Mar 2011, 16:37

In Sketchup: top line menu: Window>Preferences>Extensions Check box on plugin name.

mozzie · 7 Mar 2011, 00:05

Did you copy the unzipped files?