Relaxing a UV along one axis (x)

wardle2403

Im trying to create a rotating chain, the rotation will be done with a material which is why i want to keep the UV linear as you see in the picture.
I used a sweep in Cinema 4d to make this mesh, the UV get distributed just fine along Y axis but not X, the polygons are all equal sizes which causes alot of stretching.
I tried to "relax" the uv which sorta works but it also warps
Any idea how to can fix this ?, Perhaps someone knows of a tool in a different program that could fix this ?

Thanks )
I appreciate any help
Mesh + UV

After "Relaxing" UV

Clark Coots

Maya can do this. I think in the unwrap or relax options you can constrain "horizontal" or "vertical"

oglu

Most standalone uv tools does have special features to unfold tubes and belts. For example Headus Uvlayout or Rizom. 

wardle2403

Hi thanks, I'm busy looking at Rizom right now and I like it so far. I had a better look at Maya's UV tools and indeed it can do what I'm looking for, however I wouldn't want to get Maya just for the UV tools.

Thanks