Engrave center of font

[tpaulson]

I am trying to find software that will generate g-code for engraving the center of a text font.

I have tried to use Desk Engrave, but it creates code that goes around the outside of the letters. I just want to mill the center of the letters using a 3/8" ball bit.

Thanks
Tim

[Bubba]

tpaulso,
Don't know if this will help you as I use acad for my cad program, but here goes anyway:})
For "block" letters, I use the simplex.shx and for script, I use scripts.shx as the text styles. These are "single line" fonts and as such, you should be to engrave with them like you want as there is only a single line for each letter. Simply do a cut with no offset to the depth you want. Works for me at least:})

Bubba

[ger21]

I haven't tried it, but Desk Engrave should have at least 1 single line font that will do what you want.
This question gets asked a lot, and usually DeskEngrave is the best answer.

[tpaulson]

DeskEngrave does have 1 single line font, but it is a very basic stick font. I would like to use a little more fancy font.

[High Seas]

Am I understanding the question right?:
You want to cut (route) the letters/text into the material - not cut out the letters. Is that right? If so, you might try this:
A kludge to get there could be - use MSPaint - do your text thing (typing). Then invert the image (flip the blackand white) and save as a BMP or JPG. Then, import the BMP/JPG into MACH2 - that will generate the G-Code and cut the letter into the material.
Its a bit of a Kludge - but you can try MACH2 out for free - and pretty inexpensive anyway. MSPAint is most likely on you system - so you could give that a try! LViewPro - or other shareware to do the B/W inverting.
Hope that gets you closer - if not, maybe others have a shot at this - Cheers - Jim
BTW - the bit may be a bit big for some fonts using this approach.

[ger21]

Originally Posted by High Seas Am I understanding the question right?:

I don't think so.
He wants to cut letters with a single pass of the tool. For example, to machine the letter "L", the tool would drop, make one straight segment, turn 90° and finish. Mach2 won't do that? Will it?

[High Seas]

ger21 - thanks for clarrifying Gerry! I don't know why it wouldn't! Sorry, I'm in transit and don't have a machine with MACH2 loaded on to try that - but I'd bet you're right. Using MACH2 to do the BMP conversion it would be ratser format, unless you used corel via the other kludges to generate the gcode. Then MACH2 wouldn't care Sorry but thanks for helping me understand Tim's question. I'll be quiet now Jim

[fastolds]

Go to my website and check out my engraving. I can machine most fonts with my software and do 2D machining. I use millwrite 2000. If you like I can hook you up.
www.hobbymachine.net

[dcarr]

With VS3D you can carve any true-type font. VS3D can trace the letter centerlines and automatically adjust the V-bit (or any bit shape) up and down to fill the letter width. Here is an example:
http://www.designscomputed.com/vs3d/...ext_carve.html

[47MLB]

I have just puechased Millwrite 2000 I an using a mach2 to drive ho dremel.
I need help I am trying to use Millwrite 2000 I typed the word Clint saved to floppy then opened it in mach2 when I see it on the display there it has blue circles all over the word? They appear to be starting at the beginning and end of each character? Does any have any suggestions? I can post the code Generated by email?
Thanks
47MLB

[ger21]

Check if your I,J is set to incremental. It's in Configure>State.

[MrBean]

Could be that in "config" > "state" menu, you have IJ mode set to indremental instead of absolute.

Hope that fixes your problem.


Regards Terry.....