I don't have an usecase, I don't own a printer even. But this is actually a good piece of software - it seems non-trivial from algorithmic point of view, UX is also well polished. Kudos to authors.
Unfolder for Mac – A 3D model unfolding tool for creating papercraft
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Re: Unfolder for Mac – A 3D model unfolding tool for creating papercraft
#42I don't have an usecase, I don't own a printer even. But this is actually a good piece of software - it seems non-trivial from algorithmic point of view, UX is also well polished. Kudos to authors.
Same — as someone building macOS utilities I have a soft spot for indie apps that tackle genuinely hard algorithmic problems and still manage to ship a clean UI. The gap between "technically interesting" and "actually usable by non-experts" is huge, and it looks like they've bridged it well here.
Re: Unfolder for Mac – A 3D model unfolding tool for creating papercraft
#43What's the usual production method for the final model? Do you need cardstock and a cricut machine? Or a laser cutter? How do you align artwork on the object?
Print it, use scissors and glue.
Re: Unfolder for Mac – A 3D model unfolding tool for creating papercraft
#44So, like Pepakura? https://pepakura.tamasoft.co.jp/pepakura_designer/
No! This one is called Unfolder, it's a different app, made by a different person, etc... More than one app per category can exist, and that's good!
Sure, but it's like Pepakura. And that's a valuable piece of information for people who don't run MacOS.
Re: Unfolder for Mac – A 3D model unfolding tool for creating papercraft
#45You can vibe code an app like this, relying on OBJ import (no editing apart from cutting/opening constraints), in possibly half a day. If you doubt me, take, me up on it. Sure, I have 35 years of experiences writing computer graphics code but I am certain I would just need to provide functional description input to Claude or Codex for this. Zero architecture or deep 3D know-how. The only challenge/interesting part is…
> If you doubt me, take, me up on it.
Given your confidence and the seemingly small amount of time you think it will take, this seems like something you should be proving rather than expecting others to do so.
Re: Unfolder for Mac – A 3D model unfolding tool for creating papercraft
#46[dead]
Re: Unfolder for Mac – A 3D model unfolding tool for creating papercraft
#47Hmm couldn't find any pictures of actual results from using this?
I didn't use this app, but I did happen to make a paper moai mask recently using a pattern purchased from etsy.
Re: Unfolder for Mac – A 3D model unfolding tool for creating papercraft
#48Earlier quoted context omitted.
You can put "for Mac" in a turd and it'll reach front page in a day.
Doubly so if the app looks like it works well and would be interesting to HN readers!
What a secret cheat code! Make awesome stuff that people like and charge them money for it. Who would have thought!
Re: Unfolder for Mac – A 3D model unfolding tool for creating papercraft
#49I don't have an usecase, I don't own a printer even. But this is actually a good piece of software - it seems non-trivial from algorithmic point of view, UX is also well polished. Kudos to authors.
The usecase for Unfolder or Pepkura isn't 3D printing. They're targeted at paper crafting. You print the unfolded file onto paper, cut, fold, and glue to create a 3D object. Something like these samples https://duckduckgo.com/?t=ffab&q=paper%20craft%20models&ia=i...>
Re: Unfolder for Mac – A 3D model unfolding tool for creating papercraft
#50The app reminds me of the boom of (IMO) cool Mac apps around 2010. It's a great idea as well, I wish I had thought of it. The price is out of reach for me though...