Creating and Editing Text
Torchmate CAD/CAM allows various methods of editing text that can be used in conjunction with other tools to create fabulous results.
To start editing text select the text tool from the left toolbar. Select where the text needs to go and click, then type in the desired text. In order to edit the text further it must be converted to a graphic. With the text selected go to Arrange > Text to Graphics. The letters are now individually selectable and can be manipulated as any other drawing. Examples below illustrate some basics of what can be done.
Cutting Text Out of an Existing Shape
Once the text is created and converted to a graphic position it on the object being cut out of. Once positioned go to Arrange > Make Path. What this function does is tell the CAD/CAM any overlapping part is a cut out of the main part.
Once a part is done it is always a good idea to go to View > Show Fill. Show fill displays the part as the computer sees it, white space indicating scrap areas. When working with text letters with cutouts like O, B, A, etc. the cutout will fall out if it is not bridged.
To bridge a letter simply draw a small rectangle over the area wanted to be bridged and complete a Basic Weld from the weld menu on the left hand toolbar.
Welding Text to Objects
Text can be attached to simple or complex objects. Once the text is converted to graphics be sure that the object slightly overlaps the text. Select all objects and text being joined and go to the weld tools menu. A Basic Weld will merge all overlapping objects and text together.
Be sure to turn on show fill once all editing is done to ensure that the CAD/CAM software is interpreting the drawing as it should be cut.
Fitting Text to a Shape
Text can be aligned to an arc to create arches or to follow a specific curve. These features are automatically done with the optional ‘Pro Text’ module. The instructions below show how to do this function without the additional module.
The first step is to draw a circle or oval that the text needs to be fit around. Once the text is converted to graphics each letter can be moved. Start by positioning the letters around the arc.
The next step is to rotate each letter. When a letter is selected there are nine boxes around the part as well as a small rotate tab, click on that and as the mouse is moved the letter will rotate. Once all the letters are rotated, delete the arc if it is not needed. This process can be done with shapes as well as arcs, or any shape desired.
