Wrap images around a cup

I need to wrap an image around a cup, and then unwrap it and see how it
is distorted. This is required for printing images (NOT TEXT)
onto cups.

I know how to use sheet metal to unfold a cone.
I know how to project text or vector itmes onto a curved surface.

Ineed to know how I can project a bitmap onto a curved surface, unwrap
it and see how it is distorted.

Kind thanks
George

 

In SW 2005 the only way to achieve this would be using a decal in
PhotoWorks. SW 2006 will support decals on curved surfaces in models.

 

"anamorphosis" is the process that you describe.
How you achieve this, I don't know.

HIH
JM

 

This isn't going to be much help for you, but I did look into this
sometime ago. I searched on "distortion printing" and came up with a
few places that do this. in particular, I was looking at printing
images on plastic that would then be vacu-formed into shape. The
printing had to be pre-distorted such that it was correct on part.
There is software that will do this for you. It may be possible to do
this with a polygon mesh of your part (this is UV in the 3D mesh
world. You "flatten" your model, apply the image, then reassemble back
into your original model). Sorry couldn't be more help...

MT

 

as general ideas....

One way of estimating your distortion would be to project a regular grid of
split lines onto the surface and measure the approx varied distances on the
surface and then use these as a guide to stretch the image appropriately in
dices- probably give you a near enough map although slightly lumpy and I
guess dependant on the dpi of the image for resizing the bits accurately.
Having made a warp pattern this way you would need to make a new image in a
dwg program with clean line work.

another possibility - probably too off beat for most folks
Blender(free) http://www.blender3d.org/cms/Home.2.0.html is capable of
mapping to surfaces like this but for a newbie it takes a bit to find your
way around the program....
You would need to export your model as VRML to Blender with high SW image
quality and unwrap your mesh for a UV map. really this is intended for
rendering purposes but you should be able to get a good idea of the shape
reqd.
I guess it depends on how complex the 3d shape and the image are as to the
quality of the result- you might end up messing around in Photoshop or Gimp
quite a lot.
this video tut http://www.ibiblio.org/bvidtute/mytut/uvtut.avi (46mb) might
help you decide if that could be worthwhile pursuit however in your case the
shape is probably much less rounded.

maybe this helps some

 

The reason I need this is that we make foam cups.
So our customer has given us some art work.
On the other hand, we will outsource the making of the foam cup to a
company that can print to the cup. This company has supplied us with a
sector shape template. This sector when wrapped around a cup will meet
square at the ends.

Now how do I map a flat logo that will go around the cup, I am not sure.

Now that I think of it, what if I get a font editor and put the logo in
a font.

The reason I wonder about using all those image pakages,
I am sure they fake it. They only need to fool the eye. On the other
hand if I am off by 1mm, it will show on a cup.


I will keep trying, I think the Rhino option may be the only way to go.

Kind thanks for your help
G