# Flattening 3d models to make 2d patterns

**URL:** <https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/flattening-3d-models-to-make-2d-patterns/36049>\
**Category:** Feature requests\
**Created:** [January 14, 2025, 10:18pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/flattening-3d-models-to-make-2d-patterns/36049 "2025-01-14T22:18:38Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 9\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Davesnothome](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Davesnothome](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Davesnothome)\
**Post date:** [January 14, 2025, 10:18pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/flattening-3d-models-to-make-2d-patterns/36049/1 "2025-01-14T22:18:38Z")

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Maybe this feature already exists?

I would like to create 2d patterns from my 3d models.

I work a lot with textiles and it would be useful for me and maybe others in fabrication industries i.e. sheet metal, wood workers, welders etc.

As it stands now I would have to export my model to one of your competitors software to use the flattening feature to make 2d patterns/files.

Thank you,

Dave

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**Author:** ![jean-philippe2](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/jean-philippe2/32/27353_2.png) [@jean-philippe2](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/jean-philippe2)\
**Post date:** [January 15, 2025, 6:15am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/flattening-3d-models-to-make-2d-patterns/36049/2 "2025-01-15T06:15:59Z")

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Hi,  
perhaps you can use Tools \> Project

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**Author:** ![Davesnothome](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Davesnothome](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Davesnothome)\
**Post date:** [January 15, 2025, 10:02pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/flattening-3d-models-to-make-2d-patterns/36049/3 "2025-01-15T22:02:49Z")

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Hi

Can you please elaborate further on what “Tools \> Project” is?

Thank you,

Dave

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**Author:** ![jean-philippe2](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/jean-philippe2/32/27353_2.png) [@jean-philippe2](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/jean-philippe2)\
**Post date:** [January 16, 2025, 9:53am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/flattening-3d-models-to-make-2d-patterns/36049/4 "2025-01-16T09:53:02Z")

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Hi  
Project documentatioon : [https://support.shapr3d.com/hc/en-us/articles/7874464667676-Project#edge-example-2](https://support.shapr3d.com/hc/en-us/articles/7874464667676-Project#edge-example-2)  
and screeshot

 ![Capture d’écran 2025-01-16 à 10.48.21](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/3X/0/a/0aebb13d927dba14435bccac9c5efbf6d1661f0c.jpeg)

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**Author:** ![jcclow](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/jcclow/32/23888_2.png) [@jcclow](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/jcclow)\
**Post date:** [January 16, 2025, 12:34pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/flattening-3d-models-to-make-2d-patterns/36049/5 "2025-01-16T12:34:52Z")

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Can’t you just create a drawing from a top down view and export it in whatever format you need?

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**Author:** ![theJonan](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/thejonan/32/27624_2.png) [@theJonan](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/theJonan)\
**Post date:** [January 20, 2025, 11:16am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/flattening-3d-models-to-make-2d-patterns/36049/6 "2025-01-20T11:16:42Z")

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Projection, unfortunately won’t produce the desired result - it will not “unfold” the material into a 2D that can be “folded” back to 3D. This is more of a “wrap” / “unwrap” procedure, that you’re looking, but it is missing in Shapr3d. I’m eager to have it too!  
So, check around the forum if some specific technique for “unwrapping” can help you. Good luck!

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**Author:** ![Davesnothome](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Davesnothome](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Davesnothome)\
**Post date:** [January 21, 2025, 5:25pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/flattening-3d-models-to-make-2d-patterns/36049/7 "2025-01-21T17:25:51Z")

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Hi, Jonan

Yes that’s it unwrap/wrap!! Thank you for the proper description of what I want to accomplish with shapr3d.

Shapr3d moderator can you please jump in to let me know if unwrap/wrap is possible with Shapr3d?

Thank you,

Dave

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**Author:** ![Stephen](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/stephen/32/16350_2.png) [@Stephen](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Stephen)\
**Post date:** [January 21, 2025, 8:35pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/flattening-3d-models-to-make-2d-patterns/36049/8 "2025-01-21T20:35:33Z")

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UV unwrapping is rare with CAD software, because the models we make are triangulated. UV unwrapping is common when working with polygon models in 3D modelling and sculpting software.

That said, I’ve successfully converted lots of my Shapr3D projects to polygon models in the likes of ZBrush, Nomad Sculpt and Blender. It’s not always straightforward and can entail some reworking of parts.

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**Author:** ![SCALEMODEL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@SCALEMODEL](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/SCALEMODEL)\
**Post date:** [January 21, 2025, 9:13pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/flattening-3d-models-to-make-2d-patterns/36049/9 "2025-01-21T21:13:42Z")

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Original Poster is using Sheet Metal feature to get 2D pattern I assume. If you show a visual example how you used 3d model to get a 2d textile pattern? Are you talking about repeating pattern, that be more of 2D creative interpretation of 3d model it can’t be folded back to create a 3d model.

If textile meaning clothing there are specific software for that as well.

 ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/3X/a/d/ad36a154ed80f860e297a373ca54e21268aeca51.jpeg)

With Cloth simulations  
CLO