Is there a way in Simplify 3D to add text to a model?
Thanks.
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rickford66
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Tue May 12, 2015 8:48 am
Re: Adding text to model
S3D will already boolean two separate STL files together when they overlap. So, for example, if you had a model of a cat and a model that was the text "CAT", if you overlapped those two parts, the software would print them as a single body. So I think all you need is an STL file for your part and then one for the text you want to add.
There is a cool add-in in Simplify3D that will convert a 2D image into a 3D solid. So for example, I made a quick image of the text for "CAT" (make sure to use black text on a white background). Then save this image as a PNG file (I attached mine to this post). Then go to Add-Ins --> Convert image to 3D. I just kept all the default settings, except changed the width to 100mm since that was closer to the size I wanted (depth scale 20, width 100 platform height 1, filter factor 1.0, enable invert depth profile)
The result is pretty neat (see screenshot). So there might be other tools to convert text into a 3D model, but this worked great to me, plus you can use any font and styling you want!
There is a cool add-in in Simplify3D that will convert a 2D image into a 3D solid. So for example, I made a quick image of the text for "CAT" (make sure to use black text on a white background). Then save this image as a PNG file (I attached mine to this post). Then go to Add-Ins --> Convert image to 3D. I just kept all the default settings, except changed the width to 100mm since that was closer to the size I wanted (depth scale 20, width 100 platform height 1, filter factor 1.0, enable invert depth profile)
- CAT.png (3.91 KiB) Viewed 9862 times
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rickford66
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Tue May 12, 2015 8:48 am
Re: Adding text to model
I'll have to give that a shot. Thanks.
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rickford66
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Tue May 12, 2015 8:48 am
Re: Adding text to model
I tried it and got a base to the text. Also, when I slice through the text, it appears to be completely hollow, as if it were blow molded from behind. Is there a way to remove the "plate" that the text sits on and make the text solid?
Re: Adding text to model
Hmm. I can only get non-black images to work. Black on white is a no-go (just a flat plane). 
Re: Adding text to model
Right-click on the image I posted and choose Save As. Does it work with that CAT.png file? I'm not sure how you could possibly get different results if you're using that image and the settings I posted.
Re: Adding text to model
That worked. I wonder what's different. 
Re: Adding text to model
@rickford - the model is solid. When you cross-section it, you are just looking inside the outer surfaces. It has a back plate that completes the solid outer shell. I don't think you can get rid of that plate. I just embedded it in my model and the software merged them together.
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rickford66
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Tue May 12, 2015 8:48 am
Re: Adding text to model
Yes, I can see that it's solid now. I can mess with the infill settings and see different patterns inside. Also, I was able to get rid of the plate by changing the z-axis offset. I just put the plate below the table. When I can get some free time on the printer, I'll give it a try. Thanks.
