EXPLODING TEXT TO GEOMETRY

1st Feb 2003, 07:14 pm

HI,
im now using autocad2002

and i would like to know how to expolode text so that it is basically converted in to lines and arcs (so i can incorporate it in to a milling prg ) .in autocad2000 there is a an express menu which has this item on it

thank you for your time

1st Feb 2003, 09:02 pm

You could type the EXPLODE command, or just use the explode button in the modify toolbar...

2nd Feb 2003, 11:24 am

I think Express Tools was sold separate when it came to Acad 2002 but was free with 2000. Could you not migrate the Express Tools across to 2002?

For those without Express Tools there is another way to explode text and that is to WMF it out to a windows metafile and then insert the WMF file back into the drawing - now the text is exploded and can be extruded in 3D.

Rob.

2nd Feb 2003, 12:01 pm

Forget the last part of my last post - I just tried it and it doesn't work. I'm sure I have used that method before and can't think what step I'm missing for the moment.

Sorry superjari, but you can't use the explode tool on mtext - it doesn't work.

Rob.

2nd Feb 2003, 12:10 pm

HI
thanks very much for your help,ill give it a go on monday at work and let you know how it goes.

always smiling dangermouse

2nd Feb 2003, 12:56 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by robfowler

Forget the last part of my last post - I just tried it and it doesn't work. I'm sure I have used that method before and can't think what step I'm missing for the moment.

Sorry superjari, but you can't use the explode tool on mtext - it doesn't work.

Rob.

Yes,

I found out it doesn't work, I thought I once exploded text...

Sorry, my mistake...

**CADTutor** · 2nd Feb 2003, 08:40 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by robfowler

For those without Express Tools there is another way to explode text and that is to WMF it out to a windows metafile and then insert the WMF file back into the drawing - now the text is exploded and can be extruded in 3D.

Rob.

That's a neat trick. Extrude won't work on lines and arcs but you can give them a thickness using the Properties Panel.

Mr T · 2nd Feb 2003, 09:41 pm

Export as wmf then import and explode. They become 2d polylines. Only closed objects extrude but you can use a 2d polyline as a source object to create a TABSURF with the thickness ie back ways being the direction vector. TABSURF is similar to extrude but creates surfaces.

Nick

2nd Feb 2003, 09:51 pm

HI,
What im actually doing is creating a drawing on 2002,and writing text onto it ,then this text is machined on the component ,so text needs to be geometry not jst text,for those that have privete messaged me asking .

always smiling dangermouse

**gcp310** · 2nd Feb 2003, 11:07 pm

What we do in the signage industry is do the layout in coreldraw and export it out as .AI or .EPS

you have more control with the fonts,etc in corel.

We also use corel for the text and export it out as a .wmf>import it into cad as a .WMF>scale to suit>and then explode it.

we then can extrude it and render the text as 3D signage.
if you follow the .wmf way, you can then export it out as a .Stl file
which you can import into the cnc machine.

Hope this helps.

G

1st Feb 2003, 07:14 pm	#1
dangermouse Guest Posts: n/a	EXPLODING TEXT TO GEOMETRY HI, im now using autocad2002 and i would like to know how to expolode text so that it is basically converted in to lines and arcs (so i can incorporate it in to a milling prg ) .in autocad2000 there is a an express menu which has this item on it thank you for your time
dangermouse Guest Posts: n/a

1st Feb 2003, 09:02 pm	#2
superjari Guest Posts: n/a	You could type the EXPLODE command, or just use the explode button in the modify toolbar...
superjari Guest Posts: n/a

2nd Feb 2003, 11:24 am	#3
robfowler Guest Posts: n/a	I think Express Tools was sold separate when it came to Acad 2002 but was free with 2000. Could you not migrate the Express Tools across to 2002? For those without Express Tools there is another way to explode text and that is to WMF it out to a windows metafile and then insert the WMF file back into the drawing - now the text is exploded and can be extruded in 3D. Rob.
robfowler Guest Posts: n/a

2nd Feb 2003, 12:01 pm	#4
robfowler Guest Posts: n/a	Forget the last part of my last post - I just tried it and it doesn't work. I'm sure I have used that method before and can't think what step I'm missing for the moment. Sorry superjari, but you can't use the explode tool on mtext - it doesn't work. Rob.
robfowler Guest Posts: n/a

2nd Feb 2003, 12:10 pm	#5
dangermouse Guest Posts: n/a	HI thanks very much for your help,ill give it a go on monday at work and let you know how it goes. always smiling dangermouse
dangermouse Guest Posts: n/a

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2nd Feb 2003, 09:41 pm	#8
Mr T Super Member Using: AutoCAD 2007 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Loch Oich SCOTLAND... Posts: 1,644	Export as wmf then import and explode. They become 2d polylines. Only closed objects extrude but you can use a 2d polyline as a source object to create a TABSURF with the thickness ie back ways being the direction vector. TABSURF is similar to extrude but creates surfaces. Nick
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2nd Feb 2003, 09:51 pm	#9
dangermouse Guest Posts: n/a	EXPLODING TEXT AS GEOMETRY HI, What im actually doing is creating a drawing on 2002,and writing text onto it ,then this text is machined on the component ,so text needs to be geometry not jst text,for those that have privete messaged me asking . always smiling dangermouse
dangermouse Guest Posts: n/a

2nd Feb 2003, 11:07 pm	#10
gcp310 Super Moderator Version: not applicable Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: physicaly - Australia, mentaly - Another Planet Posts: 679	What we do in the signage industry is do the layout in coreldraw and export it out as .AI or .EPS you have more control with the fonts,etc in corel. We also use corel for the text and export it out as a .wmf>import it into cad as a .WMF>scale to suit>and then explode it. we then can extrude it and render the text as 3D signage. if you follow the .wmf way, you can then export it out as a .Stl file which you can import into the cnc machine. Hope this helps. G