Drawing a clock face

[ChetR]

I've experimented with PartMasters rotation of text, but I'm not ending up with what I want.
Basically, I'm trying to create a set of Roman numerals around the circumference of a circle.
(Just visualize the face on a typical grandfather clock...)
How do I get the numerals to align perpendicular to the hour lines from a center point?
Thanks for any input!
Chet

[salt03]

rotating the numerals around the central axis, face center point should produce the correct angle of roation, 360/12=30 degrees between each If u give me the size specs I can try and mock up a dxf file

[ChetR]

Dear Salt03 - thank you for your speedy response!
However a completed drawing won't be as useful as listing the steps you'd use.
I'd like to master this program, and I'm anxious to learn this particular technique.
If it is more convenient to just send a drawing with one or two hour marks, you could figure on a 10" circle with 3/4" tall roman numeral numbers (Arial font in bold is fine)
If you do send a drawing, please make sure each step is on a different layer so I can more easily decode your process.
Once again, many thanks!
Chet

[andre-dolphin]

I have produced a short video showing the steps involved.

www.dolphin2.myzen.co.uk/flash/clock-face.zip

Hope this helps

ATB
Andre

[harley4ever]

Does the volume work great on that video for everyone else? The video came up but I could barely hear anything as if it were a whisper.

[andre-dolphin]

Didn't some philosophising chap say "A whisper is louder than a shout" ?

Will make sure the volume is correct is set correctly next time.

ATB
Andre

[ChetR]

Andre, that is an amazingly complete video of the various operations possible!
I don't know if you work off notes, or you just do this 'off the top of your head', but your lesson was well structured with excellent presentation and thoroughness.
However, like the other thread comment, the volume was low, low, low...
Glad you feel you have a fix for that...
Chet

[ChetR]

Hey Andre! Got time for a follow up question(s)?
I'm not actually making a clock dial face, but a sundial face (and sundials have irregularly spaced hour lines...)
I've set up my face using angle lines, and a circle indicating where I want to place the Roman numerals.
1. I use 'no snap' and left click my cursor at the intersection of the circle and hour line,
2. I use precision text, and select the angle I want,
3. I type in my numeral
4. But when I hit OK, the numeral is placed at a different location...
I've watched your video several times, and have even written notes on it, but I'm not seeing what I'm doing wrong... Any thoughts????
(AND if you still have a moment, the Precision type box asks for 'width'. 'I' is simple enough (.125), but how to determine 'VIII' and have equal letter thickness?)
Chet

[andre-dolphin]

No problem.

Firstly ensure that the justification is set to "Centred", this is set via an icon on the text toolbar.

The text hook/anchor point is always a short distance away from the actual character - this is just the way True-type fonts are created by Windows, remember when True-type fonts were created many years ago they were designed for word processing not NC machining so we have to live with these things.

The hook point is always the bottom left corner of the text, this can be modifed by "centreing" the text as mentioned above. So your cursor postion should be below the actual position required.

The "Width" box can be used to adjust the overall width of the text string, if you type 3 characters and the width is shown as 10, this is indicating the overall length that the text will produce, by changing this to say 6, you will squeeze the text into a smaller space and the text will appear condensed, by entering 15, the text will be elongated.

Hope this is clear.

ATB
Andre

[sqatch]

Thought I'd give it a try. The procedures all work well. except the numbers tend to make the clock face lopsided. Roman numerals laid out on the radians seem to be the most pleasing to the eye. I guess thats why all the high end clocks and watches have only four or no numbers at all. Does anyone have a font with roman numerals? I drew them manually but it would be nice to have something more fancy.

[andre-dolphin]

Just use Times New Roman and use the letters XLIMCV

ATB
Andre

[ChetR]

Okay, I'm running into another wall...
It's probably a simple fix, but I'm not seeing it...
Please see attachment with screen shots and explanations of my process...
The attachment is a pdf for universal reading...
Chet