Unroll around Axis
This command allows you to unroll the point cloud or the mesh of a tubular shape. Two types of results can be computed:
Unroll 3D: to have a planar view of the shape keeping the relief on the surface,
2D inspection map: to create a color map in 2 dimensions. This option fits well to colored or inspected objects.
Requirements
Select the object to unroll (mesh or point cloud) and launch the command. You have to select the central axis of the tubular shape. There are 2 possibilities: select it before launching the command or inside the command.
Choose the type of result: 3D Unrolling or 2D Inspection map.
Define Where to cut to get an unrolled result: by default it will be opened under the axis, in the Z direction (if the axis is vertical, it will be opened vertically above the Y axis). Optionally, click a point on the mesh or the cloud to define another projection direction. The axis will be projected on the mesh/cloud and you can see along which line will the object be opened.
Set the Radius to define how the map will be scaled perpendicularly to the axis. Use the actual tube radius for a neutral scale. Any local change of the actual radius will generate map distortions.
Define the Unit of grid rows: Distance or Angle. Angle will be less confusing when the radius is not constant.
After the computation, it is possible to:
Turn the result from 90°.
Export a picture of the current view of the 3D scene (in JPG, BMP or TIFF format).
Notes
When unrolling a mesh, it is better to have its extremities open to have a right result.
It is possible to automatically compute the required axis using the command Neutral Axis in the Polyline Menu.