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Once you have created an unwrapped envelope using the Unwrap (Rotary menu) command, you are now in a position to begin creating planar geometry in that envelope.
This example shows several planar geometric features that have been created in a single unwrapped envelope. For clarity, the envelope has been marked with degrees along the top edge and circumferential distance along the bottom edge (a 50mm diameter cylinder was unwrapped to form the envelope).
The co-ordinate axes used for creating geometry depend on the axis around which you created the envelope (see examples).
When using co-ordinates to specify geometry, you can specify a distance along the unwrapped envelope in degrees. Co-ordinate input in Design supports A, B and C angular input within the Milling environment (C within the Turning environment).
For example, to create two points around a diameter that has been unwrapped around the Z axis, you could type into the co-ordinate box: Z-10C-45,Z-35C160
This would create points on the unwrapped envelope:
Of course, the co-ordinate input dialog can be used to input any 2D geometry, not just points.
If you were to enter, for example, a Y co-ordinate, this would be translated as an angular co-ordinate when the geometry is wrapped or machined. Therefore you can enter angular and linear distances onto the unwrapped envelope, and they will be correctly displayed once wrapped.
By first using Co-ordinate Input to create the points, you can place subsequent geometry such as lines and arcs using normal 2D construction methods:
See Also