Laser Cutting? Rapid Prototyping?

[Anonymous]

It is my goal to take a model generated using archicad 10 and create it using a laser cutter. This is not just simply taking the elevations and plans out as dwg's there are a number of planes that are at different angles.

My question is if anyone knows and could provide me with a specific data source to resolve this question.

First let's say you were taking a highly complex model without any curves, just multiple planes on different angles, different pitches. I want to be able to export the model to a program and enter a command line that would alone me to either explode the model and put everything onto a single plane which I can generate the necessary dwg information. I thought I remember hearing about either 3ds or Form-Z having some sort of command that allows this sort of behavior to occur, maybe "popcorn". Though I haven't been able to verify that command.

I guess this also could be useful in trying to obtain the exact size of a roof without loosing information in this same process though I am at a loss to be able to achieve the desired results.

Thank you for your comments and suggestions.
Willard

[Thomas Holm]

Edited: Sorry, wrong info. This is what it should have been:

TouchCAD is a combined 3D modeling and unfolding program
http://www.touchcad.com/

There's also an older version called Touch-3D "with its ability to unfold just about anything."
http://www.algonet.se/~ludesign/

[Anonymous]

FormZ does have an unfold command. been a decade since I tried it, but it worked ok for some simple models when I was in school. Never tried it with anything complex, though.