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Developable surfaces are important in both fabrication and architecture, because of their advantages in manufacturing and their aesthetic qualities. We researched novel methods to represent these surfaces discretely and build a flexible geometric modelling system for developable surfaces that is fast enough for a real-time, interactive design session. Using a background optimization routine, our tool maintains a high degree of developability of the meshes, while allowing user deformations and updateable constraints of various types of reference geometry. The system is integrated into the Rhinoceros3D software, with a focus on developing interface metaphors adapted to the needs of designers’ workflows.