Shape representation by zippables

Abstract

3D model single spiraling curve segmentation developable shape zippable bunny Fig. 1. The pipeline of our approach. Starting from a 3D model, the user decomposes the shape into topological cylinders. Our algorithm automatically produces a single continuous curve on the shape that spirals along the cylinders. It proceeds to cut the shape along the curve and creates a developable surface that can be trivially unfolded into a single 2D shape -the so called zippable. Based on the flattening, plans for laser cutting it from fabric are generated. Finally, we attach a zipper with a single slider to the boundary of the zippable. Zipping it up reproduces a faithful approximation of the input model.Fabrication from developable parts is the basis for arts such as papercraft and needlework, as well as modern architecture and CAD in general, and it has inspired much research. We observe that the assembly of complex 3D shapes created by existing methods often requires first fabricating many small parts and then carefully following instructions to assemble them together. Despite its significance, this error prone and tedious process is generally neglected in the discussion. We present the concept of zippablessingle, two dimensional, branching, ribbon-like pieces of fabric that can be quickly zipped up without any instructions to form 3D objects. Our inspiration comes from the socalled zipit bags [zipit 2017], which are made of a single, long ribbon with a zipper around its boundary. In order to "assemble" the bag, one simply needs to zip up the ribbon. Our method operates in the same fashion, but it can be used to approximate a wide variety of shapes. Given a 3D model, our algorithm produces plans for a single 2D shape that can be laser cut in few parts from fabric or paper. A zipper can then be attached along the boundary by sewing, or by gluing using a custom-built fastening rig. We show physical and virtual results that demonstrate the capabilities of our method and the ease with which shapes can be assembled.

Pop-up Print

“…Therefore, it is necessary to make these vertically inverted parts developable after folding the surface. To make the vertically inverted surfaces developable, we referred to the method of making a non-developable surface developable in [25]. As Figure 5a shows, non-developable surfaces contain internal vertices, i.e., vertices that are not on the boundary of the vertically inverted parts.…”

“…For example, Telescoping Structures [44] consists of a series of cylindrical shells (like a portable telescope) that can be retracted when unused and expanded when in use. Also, Schüller et al [25] proposed a method to disassemble 3D structure into flat ribbons with zippers, which can be joined by zipping and deconstructed by unzipping. As another strategy, researchers proposed several methods to push and sustain 2D sheets with mechanical constraints (e.g., plastic holders [40], pneumatic inflation [13,21], pre-stretched elastic sheets [10], and springs [15]) to build programmable curved surfaces.…”

“…Other than 4D printing, several fabrication methods have achieved reversibility [44,25,40,13,21,15]. However, they suffer from complicated processes required to transform between the compact and the expanded states and/or extreme limitations regarding the range of final shapes.…”

WraPr

“…In contrast, we seek to use spooling for physical prototyping and object augmentation. Works in the domain of soft, textile-based fabrication explored felting extruded yarn [12], converting 3D meshes into knitted objects [17], actuating knitted structures [5], making zippable 2D patterns of fabric [24] and stacking soft materials [20]. In addition, Rivera and Hudson [23] recently explored electrospinning, an industrial fibre production method for desktop use by modifying a 3D printer.…”

Computational design of fabric formwork

“…1.1.2 Geometric Modeling Approaches. Geometric modeling techniques have been widely developed for computing flat panels that can be assembled into a given 3D shape -e.g., segmentation-based methods [Julius et al 2005;Shatz et al 2006;Wang 2008], strip-based methods [Mitani and Suzuki 2004;Schüller et al 2018]), methods based on developable surfaces [Kilian et al 2008;Liu et al 2006;Rabinovich et al 2018;Rose et al 2007] and structures for selfdeformation [Guseinov et al 2017]. However, they cannot be directly used in the computation of fabric formwork as the shape of a fabric container will be deformed significantly after pouring in the liquid plaster.…”