Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: Engraving (Dolphin does this)

Hey John,
Thanks for all the visual Aids..... it Sure helps. I understand now, that you are able to just type in the new word in that left hand program operations window, that is kind of neat... AND you do
not have the "exploding" garbage typical to what most companies force you into doing while they "claim" they effortlessly do Text based engraving......

But, I am wondering if at the engrave3.jpg level, if you do or do not have wsiwyg type editing ? What do you do for Text Kerning ? Can you grab the text in the CAD window and do anything with it ??
or do you need to call up that first window, engrave1.jpg and make adjustments that you do not see on screen until a bit later ?

My goal is to find a Cad/Cam program that handles engraving the very same as Signlab, BUT also includes actual Cad tools which Signlab does not. If something exists, I sure have not seen it.

Remember, Signlab is fully wsiwyg, plus you can move to any new location single letters of words or sentences just by dragging it with a mouse. Plus, you can alter the font type or size of any
single letter within a sentence or phrase.....

I wish that all those interested in actually adding full Text engraving to their Cad/Cam program would look at other succesful attempts. In fairness, Successful Text engraving program writers have
clearly failed to stop and look at your typical cad/cam mechanical methods.... Sheeez, will anyone ever get it ??? Well, at least at an affordable price ?

I suppose I should look at Dolphins demo as soon as I am done studying TurboCa d/m's...... TC's $495 price is attractive, no doubt about that ! But I am not sure it is what I am looking for.

Chris L

stevenson_engineers wrote:

> >--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@y..., Chris L <datac@l...> wrote:
> > Michael,
> > Curious....Can you use any "align" a True Type font to location (on
> >a part) using typical "Alignment" routines found in any word
> >processor... Then totally AVOID any "smashing", "Exploding" or
> > "converting" technique, then Create and export Code, then be able
> >to immediately Re-Type, Changing the text or Phrase (even font type)
> >by highlighting it all the while keeping your previous
> > "Alignment" to the location apply ??
> >
> > Example, Imagine engraving text on a switch tag. I generally have
> >the shape of the switch tag drawn on screen, then I will type a word
> >or phrase and place it in a preffered location. I am able to
> > "center the text" using typical text alignment methods, then place
> >the text in the center of the part. After engraving, If I highlight
> >the old text, I can re-type a NEW word and it will self center
> > itself on the part, and I can send out the code to the machine and
> >do it over and over and over and over......... you get the idea.
> >
> > Chris L
>
> Chris,
> Eric has answerd this fine but perhaps some clips will help.
> First off you draw your shape in the CAD side, convert to a contour,
> save it and move to the CAM side.
> In the cam you select the tool and then select feeds and speeds.
> You then select the engrave dialog box.
> See http://homepage.ntlworld.com/machines/Engrave1.jpg
>
> This is pretty self explanitary you can select fonts, italic,
> mirrored etc. Then you have a choice of size, justification etc.
> Then you get where to locate your font. In the example I have used
> the text "Sample Text" and told it to follow an arc previously called
> Contour2. For this I didn't bother to select a depth.
> Then in http://homepage.ntlworld.com/machines/Engrave2.jpg
> You will see the finished toolpath generated after clicking OK.
>
> There are only four lines of operation selected. The tool, The speed
> and feed info and the two seperate lines of text, that's all, no
> smashing text, no offsets, no cluttered screen, no secret handshake,
> no ear of bat or tongue of newt.
> Just a simple operation.
> Next screen http://homepage.ntlworld.com/machines/Engrave3.jpg
> Shows the result of double clicking on the two engraving operations
> and modifing JUST the text then click OK and run.
> I think this answers the question you asked above.
>
> John S.
>
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