Engraving From A SolidWorks Part

[CX750]

I have been struggling on engraving text from a SolidWorks solid model in FC. I am using FC 2008 and have imported the model as an IGES into FC. The SW model has text written in it that is .003" deep (basically pocketed out).

I have been trying find a way to quickly turn all of the edges of the text into a chained curve so I can use the Groove feature to cut the perimeter of the letters. I have been trying several different selections from the Curve Wizard with less than stellar results. I have tried doing Curve from Curve - Extract Font Curve as well as Curve from Surface - Trimmed Edges. I have also tried other combination of the options in the Curve Wizard.

I seem to be doing okay on most other functions of FC, but I am struggling on this one. My only other option would be to use FC to write the text on the part and Groove it that way. I have done that successfully but thought it would be nice to use the original solid model. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Best regards,

Tim

[Mountainwildman]

The way I do this is create curve from surface, surface projection,wall angle 0 elevation 0, all surfaces, keep geometry. This will give you geometry at your z0, then do a curve, chaining, closed curve or pick pieces. Hope it helps.

[CX750]

Thanks for the reply Mountainwildman. I will give that a try.

[wheelieking71]

The way I do this is create curve from surface, surface projection,wall angle 0 elevation 0, all surfaces, keep geometry. This will give you geometry at your z0, then do a curve, chaining, closed curve or pick pieces. Hope it helps.

yep, that works for me also. then once you have used your geo to create curves you want to engrave, if your engraving needs to be done somewhere other than Z"0", you can either simply translate the curves to wherever you want them, or even project the curves to a surface if its a 3D part.

[CX750]

Thanks Wheelieking