×
INTELLIGENT WORK FORUMS
FOR ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS

Log In

Come Join Us!

Are you an
Engineering professional?
Join Eng-Tips Forums!
  • Talk With Other Members
  • Be Notified Of Responses
    To Your Posts
  • Keyword Search
  • One-Click Access To Your
    Favorite Forums
  • Automated Signatures
    On Your Posts
  • Best Of All, It's Free!
  • Students Click Here

*Eng-Tips's functionality depends on members receiving e-mail. By joining you are opting in to receive e-mail.

Posting Guidelines

Promoting, selling, recruiting, coursework and thesis posting is forbidden.

Students Click Here

Jobs

creating a label from a curved surface

creating a label from a curved surface

creating a label from a curved surface

(OP)
Hi,
I have to create a label from a curved cylinder, and it's not an easy rectangle.  Is there a way to project a flat profile from a curved (recessed for the label) surface?  I need to get this part done long before the prototype model arrives.  
Any tips

Thanks

Gerry
www.scatmat.com

RE: creating a label from a curved surface

You are looking for an "unwrap" tool?

Does the 'label' exist on a solid model?

Are you just trying to re-create the flat shape of the recessed area?

cheers
Helpful SW websites  FAQ559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions  FAQ559-1091

RE: creating a label from a curved surface

There's a 'wrap text' feature that comes in really handy.

RE: creating a label from a curved surface

Unless I misunderstand you - this is quite simple.

Make a new sketch on a plane that covers the entire recessed area (parallel to the apparent cutaway plane on your model)

Once in that sketch, select the contours you want to 'map' to that plane, then use the "Convert Entities" tool to project all those lines onto your plane.

You could then take this sketch - make it into a block - and then project it back using a 'wrap' feature.

Is that what you wanted to do?

RE: creating a label from a curved surface

(OP)
Hi Jabberwocky,
I am confused.  If I were to ask a graphic designer to make me a self adhesive label to stick on the face of the part in question (in real world production).  How would I get the exact dimensions of the label to the designer so that he/she could make it?  Keeping in mind that the recess to hold the label was designed first.

Thanks very much so far (i feel that we're getting close to solving this)

Gerry
www.scatmat.com

RE: creating a label from a curved surface

You can only wrap the label cylindrically across a single axis--otherwise, you'll create a compound surface and the label will wrinkle.

So, to get the label width--across the curved surface--create a sketch that cuts through your surface or otherwise lets you see a section of the surface (convert entities or whatever).  Convert the arc that makes the cylinder section.  Measure the arc.  Select each endpoint of the arc, then the arc itself, and you'll have the circumferal length of your label surface.

Jeff Mowry
www.industrialdesignhaus.com
Reason trumps all.  And awe trumps reason.

RE: creating a label from a curved surface

Well, the method I described will just get you the exact shape, although the proportions may be off because it has been mapped to a flat surface.  

To get the exact dimensions couldn't you use the measure tool on all four sides and use those lengths?  You might have to do a bit of trig to get the proper lengths of the curved sides, but the numbers should come out well.   

RE: creating a label from a curved surface

(OP)
Of course!!! I feel like such a fool, the label will totally wrinkle.  Ok, still time left to redesign that to a flat rectangle, from there I know how to get the label dimensions figured out.  
BIG thanks for pointing out that glaring error.

Gerry
www.scatmat.com

Red Flag This Post

Please let us know here why this post is inappropriate. Reasons such as off-topic, duplicates, flames, illegal, vulgar, or students posting their homework.

Red Flag Submitted

Thank you for helping keep Eng-Tips Forums free from inappropriate posts.
The Eng-Tips staff will check this out and take appropriate action.

Reply To This Thread

Posting in the Eng-Tips forums is a member-only feature.

Click Here to join Eng-Tips and talk with other members!


Resources