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Adding text to model
Posted: Tue May 12, 2015 12:31 pm
by rickford66
Is there a way in Simplify 3D to add text to a model?
Thanks.
Re: Adding text to model
Posted: Wed May 13, 2015 6:40 am
by JoeJ
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)
- CAT.png (3.91 KiB) Viewed 9863 times
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!
Re: Adding text to model
Posted: Wed May 13, 2015 7:48 am
by rickford66
I'll have to give that a shot. Thanks.
Re: Adding text to model
Posted: Wed May 13, 2015 8:37 am
by rickford66
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
Posted: Wed May 13, 2015 8:49 am
by tonyno
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
Posted: Wed May 13, 2015 9:35 am
by JoeJ
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
Posted: Wed May 13, 2015 7:12 pm
by tonyno
That worked. I wonder what's different.
Re: Adding text to model
Posted: Thu May 14, 2015 7:34 am
by JoeJ
@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.
Re: Adding text to model
Posted: Thu May 14, 2015 8:12 am
by rickford66
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.