2016 Volume 3 Issue 1 Pages 58-77
This paper introduces a method for the automatic conversion of the 3D mesh models into a set of the 2D patterns for producing physical copy-models. We consider the models that can be segmented into the near-developable parts. Each part is regenerated into the 2D patterns by decomposing it into a set of triangle strips and mapping them onto the 2D print plane. Mapping strips are done in two steps: 1) mapping onto the fixed plane in 3D; 2) mapping the flattened strips onto a print plane. The resulting strips are assembling in the flattened patches, or patterns, located in a common plane. A paper copy-model is produced by cutting and gluing the printed patterns. The paper presents a set of the developed algorithms which allow us to achieve the desired goal. To demonstrate the practicality of the proposed method we show the 2D patterns of several mesh models and their copy-models. Our research is connecting to producing the paper prototypes based on unfolding the given 3D computer models. The art of origami is the type of paper modeling. For this reason, we call our system “Origami 3D printer”.
