Expert: Bob - 11/6/2005

Question
How to make a flat (2D) pattern/template from a 3D contoured surface as in a pattern to cut the copper for a roof of an eyebrow dormer.
I have drawn the eyebrow dormer and have made full size patterns for each of the cross sectional ribs and successfully built the dormers.
I've been using a 3D model to give me construction data with much success.
Tried a 3D mesh briefly with poor results.
Is there a way to copy a 3D contoured face and then make it flat?
I'm using Auto CAD 2005 full version

Answer
HMMMM-- sorry, out of my league, here.
I was tempted to say, "Yes, Mercator Projection" -- how they make maps out of globes. For me, meshes in vanilla AutoCAD is a 1990s thing, and I never really learned it.

Ideas:
1- get a trial copy of Inventor and make that stuff in Inventor.
1a -- determine if you can create the dormer using the roof object in ADT or Revit, and get the area that way-- once you know the area, a pattern can be made by meth
2-to make a pattern in AutoCAD- I would use the front view, drawing a pl tracing the curved edge at various point up the roof slope  to get the lengths, then go to top view, lay out a pls in a grid with approximate curve I think is needed
In other words, trial and error.

Best bet: to to www.autodesk.com >> products >> autocad >> discussion groups, and post your question in the Acad 2005 group, if there is not a specialized group that seems better. Those guys know EVERYTHING.

Hope that helps some.

BOB