AutoCad Text

[CNCRob]

Hello,
I have a question about the text in AutoCad. I was wondering is there any way to turn text in AutoCad into regular geometries, like lines and arcs. I read somewhere that you could explode the text and make it convert. I tried that and on multiline text I loose my font style and it wont let me explode it again and its still text. I know this question may be a little difficult to understand, but its one of those questions that's hard to put thoughts into words. If you have any ideals please let me know. Thanks-Robbie

[ger21]

You need to use the Express Tools explode text command. It comes with 2005 and 2006, not sure about 2004. It was sold seperately prior to that.

If you don't have the express tools, dowload OutlineArt from here: http://www.freefirestudio.com/outline.htm

Although it's an extra step, it's actually a little easier to work with. The Express Tools text explode still needs some cleaning up after, the Outline Art text is ready to go, you just have to load the .dxf into AutoCAD.

Almost forgot, you won't get any arcs using either method, both will give you polylines composed of straight segments only.

[mxtras]

WMF out, then WMF in and explode. Not the greatest results - depends on the font. Sounds like ger21's method might produce similar results as this method.

I will typically use a small fillet radius to ty the segments together smoothly before converting them to polylines - you have to play with it a bit. I think you will have the best luck with SHX files - not the True Type Fonts. I used to do this a lot - but it's been a while, so I can't recall which SHX files work well and which don't - sorry!

The BMP out, raster image in thing doesn't work unless you're into tracing!

Scott

[CNCRob]

Thanks guys for your quick answers, I downloaded the demo version of OutlineArt and I really like the way it works. I will be purchasing the full version before long.

[skippy]

My next few statements and questions below will probably show how ignorant I am of these matters but anyway here goes. As Gerry said above, a polyline is a line made up of small straight segments only. Let's use the letter "d" as an example. (A) Does it mean that the straight line would be still one straight line and the curve would be made up of lots of little straight segments that are joined end to end? (B) Can one get to see what they look like up close or are they only noticable by looking at the G-code that is output from the drawing? (C) AutoCAD uses polylines for work involving curves with changing radii (i.e. uneven) but what about the rest of the software packages? How do they deal with these type of curves? (I'm particularly interested in the answer to this one) (D) I'd imagine the G-code output from a couple of polyline curves done in AutoCAD would be somewhat "heavy" compared to the G-code output from same curves but done in another program? (E) Back to the text question, once a week I go to a Corel and Photoshop course and our teacher said that true type fonts are scaleable only because they are vector based. Is this true and if so (F) can they be imported in AutoCAD as scaleable vector text? i.e. setup in Corel first then import to AutoCAD (G) To cut out letters with a router and vinyl cut letters with a vinyl cutter doesn't require software that is super technical. Artistic yes but supertechnical no. What software packages are out there if one does need the technical capabilities offered by AutoCAD but is looking for something more suited to router/laser/etc. output?
Thanks for your help in advance. Phil
p.s. Gerry, thanks to you I've now got a good handle on dividing operations discussed the other day

[ger21]

A) Yes

B) Just zoom in to see the segments, they are quite noticeable.

C) Not sure what you mean here. Polylines can contain arc segments, but are you talking about a polyline made up of segments approximating a spline type curve? Being very basic here, there are 2 basic types of curves. Arcs, or portions of circles, and Splines, which are "free flowing". This leads into D

D) Since gcode can not specify spline curves, only arcs (G2, G3) and straight segments (G1), your g-code will pretty much always be the same for a given shape. With a lot of text, short straight segments is the easiest way to do it. That's what you get from every TTF converter I've ever seen. (including CAD programs)

E) Tricky one. I never considered TT fonts as vector fonts, but they are scalable. A little different, though. If they were vector based, then we wouldn't be having this discussion, right? We have to convert them to vectors to be able to machine them.

F) You can export TT fonts from Coreldraw as a .dxf and import them into AutoCAD, and scale them no problem. They will just be a bunch of polylines, though, so the text would not really be editable in AutoCAD. (such as changing the spelling, etc.) A lot of people use only Coreldraw for all their machining. Just take the Coreldraw .dxf and convert to g-code. No AutoCAD required. Corel may be a little more challenging to get things the correct size, though.

G) I know that here are some sign packages that are quite expensive, and I'm not familiar with any of them. They will give you g-code from fonts with no conversions necessary.

http://www.signlab.ca/
http://www.scanvecamiable.com/products/enroute.asp

Not everyone would agree with me, but imo, there is very little you can't do with AutoCAD. With my macro, you even get gcode. If your doing a lot of text, look at OutlineArt as I mentioned. It will give better results than AutoCAD's Express text explode. You will have to play with the scaling, though. And the width factor in OutlineArt.

I'm working on some V cut fonts for AutoCAD, and I'll be writing a macro to make it easy to use them. It'll be a while though, as it's quite tedious and I don't have nearly as much free time as I'd like.

[skippy]

Re your (B) Yes I should have tried that before asking the question

Re your (C) Sorry, yes I was meaning splines. I assume that arcs, or portions of circles are mathematically definable but splines (free flowing) are not.

Re your (D) Now I'm clear on it however just one question. A spiral is a mathematically definable object (I'm talking about 2D here but I guess the same goes for a 3D cone spiral if that what it's called) so I'd imagine that G-code can be written for it or does the G-code for it need to be derived from a polyline? (I'm just curious)

Re your (E), I'm inclined to believe you seeing as you have worked a lot with vector stuff whereas my teacher is a pixel person (graphics)

Re your (F) Importing from Corel to AutoCAD, it sounds like a good solution to get the text there in the first place. In my particular case, using Corel only isn't suitable because I tend to have to do things that Corel isn't capable of (i.e. more technical than graphical).

Once again Gerry, thanks, and by the way if you didn't already check it out, have a look at my casting thread the other day as I'm sure you'd appreciate the beautiful woodwork shown seeing as you're heavily into woodcraft.

Phil

[ger21]

C) splines are mathematically defined. If they weren't, you wouldn't be able to use them. I think the main stumbling block here is what can be defined using gcode.

D) A true spiral cannot be defined with g-code. You can only approximate one. A spiral is an arc with a constantly changing radius, right? Using gcode, more specifically G2 and G3, you can only define arcs with a constant radius. You can create a spiral by using short straight segments, or by using small arcs, with each succesive arc having a larger radius as you go out from the center. The g-code can be generated many different ways. You don't necessarily need a cad program. You can use a spreadsheet to creat g-code based on expressions. Mach2 has a wizard that does spiral pocketing using G2 and G3 arcs. My macro does spiral pocketing using straight G1 moves. I just use a little math to figure them out.

F) Use whatever works best for you. There are a lot of guys doing similar stuff, but doing it a lot of different ways. The best way is the way that works best for you.

PS. there are some machine controls that will have proprietary g-code for doing things like elliptical arcs, and probably other stuff too. But they are usually machine specific, so I'm leaving those types of g-codes out of this discussion.

I'll check out the casting stuff too. Thanks.

[CNCRob]

Does anyone know how to create a solid in AutoCad with a tapered surface, like a airplane wing. I can do it with mesh and I have a lisp program that is suppose to convert mesh to solids, but it does't seem to work. Does anyone know how to do it directly in AutoCad? Thanks-Robbie

[ger21]

Depending on the exact shape, probably a combination of the SLICE command and the different boolean commands (UNION, SUBTRACT, INTERSECT). You know you can extrude with a taper, right. Extrude a circle with a taper for the leading edge, union it to a rectangular block, and slice away what you don't need. Do you really need it to be a solid? I prefer modelling with meshes; I get more control over the surface resolution. It can take a lot longer to model, though.


Ive used a mesh to solid lisp in the past (don't remember where I got it from), and didn't like the results.

[CNCRob]

Thanks Gerry for your answer. I just started having a new problem with AutoCad that Ive never had before. If open AutoCad then close it I cant open it back up untill I reboot my computer. At the bottom of the loading screen it says regenerating model and it freezes. I have to hit control-alt-delete to end the process. This problem started happening a little while ago. If anyone has any ideals how to solve it please let me know. Thanks- Robbie

[ger21]

I know with some versions you can do a repair by running the installer from the CD. You should get an option to repair the installation.

Are you sure it's not just a particular drawing causing this? If it is, try using the recover command and opening it that way. I've been using ACAD2002 for about 3 years now, and have really only had it crash for 1 reason, which happens when I copy viewports in a template I have. It's NEVER crashed for any other reason.