Hello. I am seeking your help to figure out a repeatable process. The goal is to begin with a curved closed shape and "un-roll" or "un-ravel" or such shapes so it results in a straight line shape.

This resulting straight line shape will later be used as a "pattern," for future Pattern  Along Path LPE operations.

**Not** what one would use as a Bend Along Path Path operation where the starting curved shape is "stretched" nor distorted  nor "transformed".

I liken the idea to un-winding a ball of yarn or twine so that it "un-rolls" or "un-wraps" onto a straight line. As in a coiled shape becoming un-coiled. A similar thought process.

Please see the graphics  included to better explain my aim.

I am hoping this is "do-able" by some series of repeatable steps. (The step by step specifics.)

And if it can be "approximated", please share your process as to how. And if not achievable, please state that also. I welcome different thoughts and means of moving foward.

I truly thank you for your help in sharing a series of steps where this can be done ... beginning with any curvature closed shape.

Have a great day.

Also looking at using this Mightyscape extension as a means to "process" the un-rolling" to a straight line.

Perhaps create a set of outer edge lines from starting curved shape to manually create the straight line pattern. And then re-draw or combine them.

https://stadtfabrikanten.org/display/IFM/Unwind+Paths

While this extension does exactly what is designed to do and looked promising in helping me toward my goal, I am still currently not able to make much progress in reaching that goal.

Getting a series if simple, efficient steps to "un-roll" a curved shape onto a horizontal line ... is quite difficult.

I will keep exploring and see what develops.

I can offer a very manual method. I don't think this would be easy to automate, but somebody may prove me wrong.

Thank you very much, Paddy-CAD,  for sharing this.

I have tried many many approaches and your method may be the simplest. I had tried using the unwind Path extension, using the Interpolate extension, the Bend LPE to "unbend" things, creating an upper stroke line and lower stroke line to indicate the "edges" of the profile of the "starter" shape, using the stitch sub-paths extension, and other ideas. Yours  indeed seems the most efficient and di-able. I truly appreciate what you share and the knowledge involved. Have a great day, indeed.

You're welcome. Glad I could help.