Laying out text on an arc.

[crowdog]

Hi,I am looking for a way to lay out text along an arc or circle that I am able to designate the radius.
Currently I am creating text in Stencil Fonts, saving them as a DXF, importing into ProgeCAD and then rotating each letter about it's center and the arc's centerthen positioning them. Have also tried Serif Draw, but have not been satisfied with the results. Haven't tried Corel Draw.
Any suggestions?
Thanks.

[SignTorch Vector Art]

you could try Desk Engrave, a free text to DXF program

Corel can do it but the DXF output leaves a lot to be desired (has too many nodes)

[Loyd]

DeskEngrave works fantastic!
Loyd

[BrianMick]

I have deskengrave too but there are intructions how to use it and I have not had much luck getting the proper arc, also you can't do a downward arc....
Brian

[mdwalker]

I have deskengrave too but there are intructions how to use it and I have not had much luck getting the proper arc, also you can't do a downward arc....
Brian

Brian,

Not sure what you mean by a downward arc but if it is what I think you are talking about try using a negative number in the radius. This will reverse the arc. Try that & see if it does what you are wanting.

Danny

[crowdog]

Thanks folks,I have installed DeskEngrave and I think it will work for some of my projects. Still not quite the magic bullet, but neat for the price.
Crowdog

[BrianMick]

I have deskengrave too but there are intructions how to use it and I have not had much luck getting the proper arc, also you can't do a downward arc....
Brian

Brian,

Not sure what you mean by a downward arc but if it is what I think you are talking about try using a negative number in the radius. This will reverse the arc. Try that & see if it does what you are wanting.

Danny

I will try that.....I never thought of putting in a negative number! are there any tutorials on deskengrave?
Brian

[geo4932]

The "Design Edge" software will let you place text on an arc or in any shape. It will also let you stencil fonts automatically and will automatically combine text to a base for signs. It also does the tool path offset and lead-ins.
Their number is 1-719-676-2700

George

[aicomp]

I think I will try desk engrave.
Mike

[SCHIDTHEAD]

I loaded Design Edge... but if it is only going to cut patterns of fonts it seems only good for that...cutting out fonts. It is not editable to do a font cut away to be kept in a sheet. In other words, you cant edit the nodes to keep the "O's, B's, A's, R's, Q's, D's & P's" without having the centers fall out. And, you can't do lead ins or outs. am I missing something here.

I don't know your CAD program, but with every one I have used, unless you are working in 3D, in 2D there is no simple way to do it except using a construction radius, and setting snaps to snap to the construction lines. Set your radius construction for the arc or radius you want the letters bottom to follow then a second (outer) arc or radius line to the center measurement of your fonts to snap to and rotate them to snap to the bottom line. Should go pretty fast and easy and you can edit the nodes if your keeping them in the sheet by exploding them and editing the fonts.