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text along a curve query... (#2603)
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ianjkirby  
#1 Posted : Saturday, October 10, 2009 4:44:04 AM(UTC)
ianjkirby

Rank: Senior Member

Joined: 6/20/2007(UTC)
Posts: 107
Hi all,
In attempting to align text along a curve, I am having trouble with the manual. On p203, chapter 23, the instructions say;

1 Select a curve for the text path.
2 Click two points that specify the text up direction.
3 Type characters for text string.
4 Click mouse to end.

Despite various attempts, I am unable to find a consistent selection for step 2 above which leads to predictable results. Can anyone enlighten me about this process, please? ie, what is the "text up direction", and how is it selected by 2 points? It seems to depend on the direction of the curve (ie., cw or ccw), but I am not even able to determine this with any certainty.
Regards, Ian.
Related, is there a way to fill the length of an arc with text, and with a specific height at the same time? ie., if I draw 2 concentric arcs, and form a curved 'box' with 2 radial lines, can I fill the resultant area with a text? I don't seem to be able to control both the length and height of the text.
Attached is a pic of 2 lines of text I wish to fit into the two curved green 'boxes', and the associated file. Any comments would be appreciated.
Regards, Ian.
File Attachment(s):
tedoor.vc3 (119kb) downloaded 5 time(s).
ianjkirby attached the following image(s):
fowldor.jpg (116kb) downloaded 5 time(s).

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Ian Kirby
Wollongong Australia
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Steve.M  
#2 Posted : Saturday, October 10, 2009 6:01:25 AM(UTC)
Steve.M

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Hi Ian,

The "text along curve".

To check the curves direction, select the curve, then "Verify- show direction" The text up direction, I place a line on the curve (where I want the text to start) perpendicular to that curve.

In your example. (see pic, but ignore the text font) For the text "ENGINEERS, LEEDS", I have selected the base curve, then the alignment(the text up direction) P1 then P2. The outcome is not too bad because there was not a lot of text and changing the text size to fit the length worked out that the hight was not too far off. But with the amount of text to fit in the top box, then you will have problems, as the text will not be tall enough to fill the box.
What I have done(as an example) is to make your text solid, then scaled that solid text to the correct hight, then "curve bend" the solid along the base curve of the box.

Of course, this is just examples to see if this is what you are looking for.
Steve.M attached the following image(s):
text.png (70kb) downloaded 5 time(s).

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ttrw  
#3 Posted : Saturday, October 10, 2009 12:22:15 PM(UTC)
ttrw

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Steve, are you from Leeds by any chance?? :D
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Steve.M  
#4 Posted : Saturday, October 10, 2009 3:12:58 PM(UTC)
Steve.M

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Originally Posted by: ttrw Go to Quoted Post
Steve, are you from Leeds by any chance?? :D


No, what makes you ask that?
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ianjkirby  
#5 Posted : Saturday, October 10, 2009 3:41:23 PM(UTC)
ianjkirby

Rank: Senior Member

Joined: 6/20/2007(UTC)
Posts: 107
Hi Steve,
Thanks for the hints; I will work on it today, and post the outcome when I'm finished. You have certainly made it a lot closer for me!
Regards, Ian.
Ian Kirby
Wollongong Australia
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ttrw  
#6 Posted : Saturday, October 10, 2009 3:52:02 PM(UTC)
ttrw

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Originally Posted by: Steve.M Go to Quoted Post
No, what makes you ask that?


er, the above image? :rolleyes:
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ttrw  
#7 Posted : Saturday, October 10, 2009 3:54:28 PM(UTC)
ttrw

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Ah okay. My bad (look at the jpeg!) :o

I think I've asked you this before. I've got very bad flu, and am a bit flakey.

Sorry for the OT.
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Steve.M  
#8 Posted : Sunday, October 11, 2009 1:12:14 AM(UTC)
Steve.M

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Originally Posted by: ttrw Go to Quoted Post
Ah okay. My bad (look at the jpeg!) :o


I knew what you meant, I could not help myself as you bite so easily. :D
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Steve.M  
#9 Posted : Sunday, October 11, 2009 1:15:11 AM(UTC)
Steve.M

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Originally Posted by: ianjkirby Go to Quoted Post
Hi Steve,
Thanks for the hints; I will work on it today, and post the outcome when I'm finished. You have certainly made it a lot closer for me!



Hi Ian.

I have taken another look, but cannot find another way to create the text to fill the box, well not in VC/shark.

Just post back if you need any help with the bend solid, which I think in VC/shark is the easiest method (well up to now, unless others know a way?)
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ianjkirby  
#10 Posted : Monday, October 12, 2009 4:24:32 AM(UTC)
ianjkirby

Rank: Senior Member

Joined: 6/20/2007(UTC)
Posts: 107
Hi Steve,
Thanks for your offer to me to post back about the 'bend solid'. I can't find a tool called this, and consequently, cannot do it. Which tool did you use, please?
I am also unable to differentially scale text unless I convert it to lines or curves first. (This has also led to another problem which I will address in a new thread shortly.) After conversion, I can scale ok.
I drew the bounding boxes in my example file by measuring the drawings I have, but I think I will modify them to accommodate the text. That will get over one problem, at least!
Tom (ttrw), the Leeds connection is mine. That is what is on the plates I am trying to model!
Regards, Ian.
Ian Kirby
Wollongong Australia
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ttrw  
#11 Posted : Monday, October 12, 2009 4:30:05 AM(UTC)
ttrw

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Ian, Steve,

One half of my family are from Yorkshire, and live just outside Leeds/ York (in Selby). I was hoping that one of you may be from around there, so we may meet perhaps, but alas, no.

Beer is not to happen for now :(

;)
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Steve.M  
#12 Posted : Monday, October 12, 2009 4:59:27 AM(UTC)
Steve.M

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Hi Ian,

Originally Posted by: ianjkirby Go to Quoted Post
Thanks for your offer to me to post back about the 'bend solid'. I can't find a tool called this, and consequently, cannot do it. Which tool did you use, please?
Yes, sorry. The tool is actually called "Curve Bend" (see pic). Unfortunately I just realized that that tool is not in 2d/3d, only in pro and above.

Originally Posted by: ianjkirby Go to Quoted Post

I am also unable to differentially scale text unless I convert it to lines or curves first.
Yes. If we could differential scale the text, it would be much more easier to do what you want. (thats why I mentioned about the problem fitting the text to the box size)

Which version of VC are you using?


Regards,

- Steve
Steve.M attached the following image(s):
curve bend.png (40kb) downloaded 5 time(s).

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ianjkirby  
#13 Posted : Monday, October 12, 2009 5:40:46 AM(UTC)
ianjkirby

Rank: Senior Member

Joined: 6/20/2007(UTC)
Posts: 107
Hi Steve,
Thanks again.
I have the bend tool, and center bend, but not the curve bend!
Did you bend the text as text, or as text converted to curves? I assume the latter, but I wish to make sure.
I am using 2d/3d V6, build 853.
I think I have the Fowler plates almost sorted now; I hope to post results soon! The next problems involve the strange behaviour of extruding converted text I have mentioned in another thread.
Regards, Ian.
Ian Kirby
Wollongong Australia
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Steve.M  
#14 Posted : Monday, October 12, 2009 6:34:32 AM(UTC)
Steve.M

Rank: Senior Member

Joined: 6/18/2008(UTC)
Posts: 978

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Hi Ian,

Originally Posted by: ianjkirby Go to Quoted Post
I have the bend tool, and center bend, but not the curve bend!
It is not in 2d/3d, only in pro/shark
Originally Posted by: ianjkirby Go to Quoted Post
Did you bend the text as text, or as text converted to curves? I assume the latter, but I wish to make sure.
Those bend tools only work on solids. So I created solid text, then used the "curve bend" tool.


Regards,

- Steve
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jol  
#15 Posted : Monday, October 12, 2009 11:09:07 AM(UTC)
jol

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[Those bend tools only work on solids
.. and surfs]
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