Flexible Text

In this Task 

Standard text will be placed on the solid, using the planar geometry of the Workplane to define its alignment.  This text will then be changed to flexible text, which will be extruded to create a 3D depth.

Associated Tasks 

Using Workplane by 3 Points.

Subtracting the Text from the model.

Before you Start 

View is set to Isometric North East.

The model is displayed in Wireframe view.

Workplane is displayed.

The Handle, Globe and Lens layers can be switched off if preferred.  This allows the Casing layer to be accessed in isolation.

Take Note 

The Auto Workplane by Face tool can be used to apply the Workplane to the appropriate face after the Text tool has been selected, however, the position of the X-Y axis will determine the orientation of the text.

The Form Building Edges option can be temporarily removed if preferred.  Use Options > Display > uncheck Form Building Edges to do this.

Flexible Text

Ribbon : Draw | Text

Default Menu : Draw | Text

Palette : Panels Setup | Text

By changing  standard text to flexible text, a 3D height or depth can be given. This will create an above or below Workplane extrusion which can be added to or subtracted from the primary solid.Flexible text, once extruded and added to or subtracted from the primary solid, cannot be modified.

Workplane by 3 Points

Ribbon : Workspace | Workplanes | WorkPlane | by Facet

Palette : 3D Model | Workplane | Workplane by Facet

Right click in the Editor | Workplane by Facet

This workplane feature applies a workplane to a selected facet (flat surface) of a 3D object.The Page Up and Page Down keys can be used to cycle between the available facets of the solid.A Workplane by 3 Points can be applied to the surface of a solid to create specific directional axis orientation.

 

In the illustration below, the Workplane is required to be placed on the indicated surface with the origin at the bottom left corner of the face, the X-axis moving towards the north east direction and the Y-axis moving towards the north west direction.

The Workplane by 3 Points tool is used to seat the Workplane in this manner, rather than using the Workplane by Facet option. The Workplane by Facet option simply places the Workplane onto the facet without necessarily orientating the X-Y-Z axes into the preferred alignment.

Turn the view to Isometric North East.

Select Workplane by 3 Points from the menu options above and start by placing the cursor on the bottom left corner of the face shown in the bold green outline, above.

Now use the vertex on the bottom right corner to indicate the positive direction on the X axis.  Use the top left vertex to indicate the positive direction on the Y axis.

Zoom in to this face and right click to set the properties of the Text tool, shown below. Click ok when the preferred properties are set.

Setting the Flexible Text option

Left click onto the Text tool and input the text shown in bold below.

Take Note

When using the Flexible Text option, the text will appear as an outline only, shown here.

The text can be viewed from the front or back view to check positional accuracy, shown below.

Viewed using ‘Back’ view

Select the Text and using the Selection Info palette, go to the 3D options and create a thickness of approximately -2mm so that the text extrudes into the interior of the solid. 

Text shown extruding through object in Right side view

Finally, Subtract the text from the primary solid so that the result is similar to the illustrations below.

Flexible text subtracted from the solid