# Flatten curved/twisted surfaces for CNC

**URL:** <https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/flatten-curved-twisted-surfaces-for-cnc/22935>\
**Category:** Feature requests\
**Created:** [December 9, 2022, 4:38pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/flatten-curved-twisted-surfaces-for-cnc/22935 "2022-12-09T16:38:13Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Wookiee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/57b2e6/32.png) [@Wookiee](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Wookiee)\
**Post date:** [December 9, 2022, 4:38pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/flatten-curved-twisted-surfaces-for-cnc/22935/1 "2022-12-09T16:38:13Z")

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Please follow the format below for requesting a feature.

I would be able to take a complex shape made of curved surfaces and send the flattened version of them to a CNC plasma table for cutting.

 ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/3X/f/0/f0a465ee34c2201e1a7538b59bd357526dbdc388.jpeg)

If I were to select a surface, I could click a button that would create a flattened version of that surface for placing in a 2d drawing and send it to a fabrication shop where the shape could be cut.

The application, Rhino3D has such a function, but I am not nearly as fond of the rest of their app. A demonstration of the function can be seen here: [https://youtu.be/cTgsRFlR2sw](https://youtu.be/cTgsRFlR2sw)

Edit: Similar Solidworks functionality:[https://youtu.be/XbYUaB\_IuOs](https://youtu.be/XbYUaB_IuOs)

I am able to do great renderings and visualizations with Shapr3d, but there is a disconnect between that and fabrication.

Shapr3D is fabulous! I love it!

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**Author:** ![leewbutler](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/leewbutler/32/14871_2.png) [@leewbutler](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/leewbutler)\
**Post date:** [February 1, 2023, 12:55am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/flatten-curved-twisted-surfaces-for-cnc/22935/2 "2023-02-01T00:55:22Z")

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I could also use this feature. For my particular use case, I have an object essentially used as part of an ergonomic backing applied to a medical device via velcro. The “ergonomic” shape of the surface of this object is full of curves, upon which we apply a velcro sticker. This velcro sticker is cut from a larger velcro sheet via a steel-rule-die. The shape of this velcro sticker must be the same shape as the ergonomically curved surface…but expressed as a flat surface.

If this sort of functionality is ever added to shapr3d I would imagine it being organized under its opposite corollary “project”…so “project (a plane upon a curved surface)” or “flatten (a curved surface upon a plane)”

Since shapr3D doesnt have a button I can press to do all the mathrobatics , I currently do a hackers work around like so:

1. 3d print the object
2. Place “blue painters tape” over the curved surface that I need to get a flat rendition of
3. Trim the excess tape from the perimeter of that curved surface
4. Peel the tape from the surface and apply it to a flat sheet of paper
5. Take a perfectly square picture of the blue tape on the paper (tricky…there are apps that help square)
6. Import the image of the tape-on-paper into shapr3d.
7. Trace the blue tape’s perimeter.
8. Export that perimeter as a DXF for my steel rule die maker to make me a stamp for the velcro shape we need for our medical device.

I really like shapr3D. Add my vote to getting a “flatten” feature like this. It would definitely be very very useful for my own work as well.

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**Author:** ![BryanCope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/58956e/32.png) [@BryanCope](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/BryanCope)\
**Post date:** [August 26, 2025, 5:10pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/flatten-curved-twisted-surfaces-for-cnc/22935/3 "2025-08-26T17:10:59Z")

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Did this feature ever get added?

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**Author:** ![karesz2561](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/karesz2561/32/33910_2.png) [@karesz2561](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/karesz2561)\
**Post date:** [September 8, 2025, 7:10pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/flatten-curved-twisted-surfaces-for-cnc/22935/4 "2025-09-08T19:10:26Z")

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I’m updating this feature request. I needed it right now.

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**Author:** ![GroMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4491bb/32.png) [@GroMark](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/GroMark)\
**Post date:** [September 11, 2025, 8:30pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/flatten-curved-twisted-surfaces-for-cnc/22935/5 "2025-09-11T20:30:40Z")

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> [@BryanCope](#):
>
> Did this feature ever get added?

In short, no. And it won’t get for a long time, probably.