Unfolding a 3d object

[robert.1.hall72202]

Does anyone have and/or know of a good tutorial for unfolding
a 3d object in Inventor?

I need to unfold tubular structures into flat panels.

[Buffeldrek]

if you have for example a solid cilinder - not possible within inventor, use autopol

or you'll have to prepare that solid cilinderbox, say sheet metal has thickness of 1mm, you'll have to shell the solid cilinder box out to 1 mm and extrude a little gap where beginning an end of the sheet come together on the round folded surface.
Well at least that is the way on inv9 - don't know 'bout nex functions after that

[JD Mather]

Can you post an example you are trying to flatten?

[robert.1.hall72202]

I would, but I think the projects I work on are strictly confidential.

A specific example:
A 3d conical tube with a couple holes drilled sideways into tube.
Possible neck down on both ends.

I am given the finished product data and I need to generate an unfolded blank.

[Buffeldrek]

hey there Robert,

you may wanna check out the tutorials of Autodesk University 2005 - I found a tutorial about Inventor Metal sheet: MA21-1L Holy Sheet Metal.

Hope you find some answers there...