huangfba Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 Hi, Does anyone know how to bend 3D letters around a cylinder? Attached is a quick sketch of what I'm trying to do. One is the number "2" and the other is an "O"; I'd like to wrap them around a cylinder. Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Quote Link to comment
Jonathan Pickup Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 1. create a texture for the numbers and letters, using a bump map. 2. make a copy of the cylinder, slightly bigger, and create a texture for the numbers and letters, using a transparency map. 3. you could model it. if the letters didn't go the full width of the cylinder, you can use the project tool. Quote Link to comment
Kevin McAllister Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 Ultimately there is no way to "bend" the letters in Vectorworks. Jonathan does list a few of the work arounds, but each has its drawback. To achieve this accurately I have done it in Rhino and imported it into a Vectorworks drawing. This would be a great wish list item. KM Quote Link to comment
GWS Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 I'm sure I've seen a video tech tip somewhere that would do this...'text along path' seems to ring a bell, I just can't find it. Quote Link to comment
Jonathan Pickup Posted November 14, 2009 Share Posted November 14, 2009 text along a path can make curved text, but it curves in the wrong direction. You can't bend the text in the right direction for this example. Text > Text Along a Path... Quote Link to comment
Kevin McAllister Posted November 14, 2009 Share Posted November 14, 2009 Text Along a Path could get you close to a useable result (see attached image, you need to adjust the Rotate About Path angle in the OIP to make the text stand upright). The problem in this specific case is the size of the text vs. the degree of curve in the surface. Text Along a Path generates letters that are still flat planes, so letters the size needed would not follow the tight path. KM Quote Link to comment
bcd Posted November 14, 2009 Share Posted November 14, 2009 There must be a way. It's simply an unfold in reverse. If only the Projection tool had a radial option. Quote Link to comment
Jonathan Pickup Posted November 14, 2009 Share Posted November 14, 2009 here is an example of someone that did what you want http://matteawandesignworks.tumblr.com/post/243856979/goofing-around-with-radius-text Quote Link to comment
Gytis Posted November 14, 2009 Share Posted November 14, 2009 I would go with archoncad option #3. Not intuitive, labor-intensive, but desired results, I think. Also, don't see the radius limitation with Shell Solid. Text>TrueType to Polyline>Convert to NURBS Cylinder>Extract Surface>Split (in half) Arrange Text NURB Curve (Profile) over NURB Surface>Project and Trim>Shell Solid (inside) Arrange onto cylinders...and ...voila Thanks for the Saturday workout. ;-) Quote Link to comment
Gytis Posted November 14, 2009 Share Posted November 14, 2009 Left out additional step required for <0>. Create separate shells for outside and inside (hole) and subtract solids. Quote Link to comment
huangfba Posted November 16, 2009 Author Share Posted November 16, 2009 Much thanks everyone! Option 3 worked perfectly. Great to learn the project and trim tool and the shell tool. Quote Link to comment
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