When I extend the edge of my solid then convert my spline to Surface curve, it doesnt shorten, per Colins advice. However, I then create node points, then map the geo, selecting Points as you stated, and all the points show up on the edge of my flat. My problem is, the flat is over sized, the chord length of one of my short ends is 2.604" and the flat length of both ends of my flat are both over 3"... I am stumped.

Toonz, in step 3 are you suggesting that repeating step 1 after the spline shortened into the surface curve, will create more segments, in other words eventually completing the chain? Every time i repeat step 1, it makes a chain the same length and the same location as each previous one.

Ok my standings as of 4:15pm CDT. I took my 4 pc Parametric spline, used Create Point/ Node Points to create points at all node locations, then used Trim/Break/Extend set at Break (instead of trim) and set at Trim to Point. Is this right? then I selected all splines a little at a time, and trimmed each spline to each node point. Which gave me lots of little segments. Next, I used WholeSpline which said 64 curves converted to Splines. Which i thought was cool, BUT, the splines dont appear to coagulate. I mean, they stay in the "node defined" segments. if i press shift, they will all select as a chain, but if i click to highlight one, only the small length that i click on highlights. Also, now i have tried to Create/Curve-Surface Curve, and any spline i choose stays a parametric spline instead of converting into a Surface Curve. And here it is 4:30, quitting time, I guess ill "play with it" again tomorrow!

Im having some trouble here... "First, make sure all your splines are Parametric. Then create points at the node points of your splines. Use these node points with "Edit/Trim/Break > set to "break" and "at point". Now go break up your splines." I converted my splines to parametric (and set spline generation to parametric). If I am certain my splines are Parametric, do i need to Trim/Break @ Node points? Could you define node points? Are they Intersecting points or Mid points and such? When i tried Trim/break @ point, I selected the splines and broke them @ midpoints and intersections. However, after i used the Wholespline C-hook, the spline still appears as a Parametric, but it is still "segmented". is this normal? Before the Trim/Break, i had a four sided surface, with one complete spline for each side.

I will work on it with your latest reply. BTW, thanks for the quick response! As far as the U/V directions when i flip the uv directions on MAP, the geometry is either across or along the contour. i will update the forum as i make progress. Thanks for your help Colin!

That appears to be all i can get. I tried untrimming my surfaces to get my Surface/Curves and that resulted in a "mapped" curve that was obviously the wrong length.

Check this link out, i've almost got mine figured out. Colin is helping here to! http://www.emastercam.com/cgi-bin/ultimate...t=036009#000000

Motor city, am i reading you right? chord length = apparent length which is a 2d length, and we need the 3d length. when i use FlattenSurf, i get a flat surface with the "actual" length of the part. but then i have to transfer geometry/the perimeter of the part onto the flat surf, but i cant figure out how, i followed Colins directions in the link above, and i was able to transfer one "long" edge to my new surf, but not both edges.

I started my own topic without seeing this topic, shame on me, i only found 4 topics on flattening and yours wasnt one. but now that we are here, take a look at the link below, this guys makes it sound simple, even though its not, the problem is, it didnt work 100% as advertised for me, but maybe you'll have better luck! please post your progress, i will. we are after the same result! http://www.emastercam.com/cgi-bin/ultimate...t=024893#000000

trimming the flattened surface to the same "appearent" size as the trimmed/contoured surface wont give you an actual flat profile. unless im missing something? i am trying to accomplish the same thing as Toonz, but thinking about it, if you trim the flat to the same size as the contoured, the flat will be undersized because the contour needs to be "unrolled/flattened" and it in effect "stretches" as you do so making the flat size physically larger than the appearent size of the 3d part. does that make sense?

I found a post i thought would help under topic Xform Roll/UnRoll. I followed Colin's directions, and i accomplished my goal about 50%. I am trying to flatten a fairly simple surface to allow me to make/use geometry to make a template. as per the instructions, i flattened my surface using FlattenSurf C-hook, then i made surface curves on my orig surface, then i tried to Map (c-hook) the curves onto the new "flattened" surface. however when i did this only the "straight" edge of my part was created, the more compound curve/edge was left out. am i missing something? I tried uploading my file to the FTP site but everytime I drag-n-dropped per ftp site instructions, it told me "opening file, would you like to save or open with?" i tried it with I.E. and with FireFox with no success. I would love to email someone the file for review, any help would be appreciated! here is the link for the discussion. I'd try contacting Colin but he hasnt been here in a while. http://www.emastercam.com/cgi-bin/ultimate...t=024893#000000