Hello all, I’m an xGenerative Design user and trying to work through a problem. I have a pattern of wires or a surface with patterned holes cut into it, and I would like to wrap it onto a regular or irregular surface.

Ideally, my workflow would start with my 2D wire or surface pattern created in xGenerative Design. I would then take an input surface from xDesign or xShape. I would “unroll” the surface. I would then project my pattern onto the surface. I could then trim my pattern to the boundaries of the flattened surface. I could then “re-roll” or unflatten the surface back onto the original part from xShape or xDesign.

For the end result of this tool or possible applications, I am thinking of custom knurling dies and forming tools for thin materials such as metal lampshades. Having access to both the “flattened” and “rolled” views is helpful for design and manufacture.

The silhouette tools have seemed promising, but I cannot quite get the results I’m looking for. Maybe I am missing something. Any tips, insight, or brainstorming would be much appreciated!