CompuServe Thread

#Square path

19 messages in this thread
#85623From: Philip GrossblattJul 2, 1994 11:21 PM
I'm trying to do something that I thought would be simple, but it's not working. I want to make a square path, to extrude a X-section along to make a picture frame. The problem: splines! When I make the path in the detail editor, I am unable to get square corners."taut" doesn't work in the "edit path" mode, and I can't seem to find a workaround. Any suggestions? Phil.
#85630From: Marc ReinigJul 3, 1994 12:17 AM
Phil, How about creating it out of 4 simple rectangles (put together like you would pieced of wood) to form the outline of the frame. Extrude that along the axis to give it depth. The object will then have square corners. -Marco
#85631From: Philip GrossblattJul 3, 1994 12:25 AM
Marco- Yeah, I started off building it out of pieces.Then I got the idea of making the X-section kind of complicated, like moulding. The path way also just seems more elegant. My other idea was to draw it in Corel, save it as a PostScript font, and bevel it in the spline editor. Thanx for the input, Phil.
#85646From: Marc ReinigJul 3, 1994 10:37 AM
Philip, OK, elegant. Hmmm, Well, how about making one piece of wood with extrude, using your moulding cross section (any shape) and extruding along the length axis. Cut four pieces with 45 degree angles using slice, if you want diagonal corners where the boards meet, so the shape will match. Another way of making a complex cross section that could have variations in 3 dimensions, as opposed to just 2, would be to paint it in a paint program using different colors (palette indexes) for the different heights. Then use Applique to apply it to your or the finished frame. This way you could get a real complex moulding. ;=) Can Corel generate a PS font that Imagine can use? So far I haven't had a lot of luck with most of my Type 1 fonts. Imagine just doesn't like them. All my other programs think they are fine, though. What version of Corel do you use, if they do work? Good luck, -Marco
#85668From: Stan Kalisher (Impulse)Jul 3, 1994 1:20 PM
Marco, I use the combination of Corel 4 and Imagine all the time. Nearly all 750(!) fonts work perfectly and you can create logos or shapes in Corel Draw, export them as type 1 fonts and import them into the spline editor for further manipulation. –Rick Rodriguez
#85687From: Marc ReinigJul 3, 1994 6:04 PM
Rick, I don't have Corel, I do have about 40 Type 1 fonts from various sources. Imagine has problems with most of them (>30). My other programs that use PS like them. The ability of Corel to create type 1 fonts out of shapes and export them sounds handy. Do you know if Corel 3 can do this? I'd be willing to buy 3 for that feature, but not 4. Thanks, -Marco
#85722From: Stan Kalisher (Impulse)Jul 4, 1994 8:36 AM
Marco, I believe Corel 3 has this feature, but I'm not certain. I've found that many PS fonts, particularly public domain ones, have problems inherent in their design. You'll often find that the outlines intersect at the ascenders or descenders. This is a sure sign that you'll have trouble converting them into 3D objects. –Rick
#85728From: Marc ReinigJul 4, 1994 9:29 AM
Rick, Don't know much about PS or the conversion algorithm, but I would have assumed that one shape overlapping another shape would convert to just that. Anyway, thanks for the tip. I'll check out Corel 3. -Marco
#85746From: Peter GreciJul 4, 1994 1:38 PM
Aloha Rick….the Videos Done yet?
#85730From: David HofmannJul 4, 1994 10:26 AM
Marc, Corel3 can do the same, so you don'thave to buy 4.0. But 4.0 comes with so many fonts and other nice things. I think it's worth it, but if you only need .pfb export 3.0 will do. -David
#85784From: Charles BlaquiereJul 4, 1994 9:36 PM
Rick, thank heavens I have a pinball art calendar to keep me company, or else I'd feel pretty lonely waiting for my 1994 Siggraph calendar. My address is 122 Collier St, Toronto, ON, Canada M4W 1M3. ObImagine: thanks for your tip on Corel Draw. I'm annoyed at Imagine's poor PS font support, even honest-to-goodness commercial ones. I'm sure other users, who have access to a PC, will investigate obtaining a copy of Corel Draw 3 at clearance prices. Blaq!
#85704From: Philip GrossblattJul 3, 1994 10:42 PM
Marco- Corel 3.0 is what I've been using (~60$ on CD). I've been sucessfull in importing all the fonts I've tried so far, including ones I've made. Check out WINGED.JPG over on Graphdev- I used some really cool fonts to make stone idols. Phil.
#85708From: Marc ReinigJul 3, 1994 11:49 PM
Phil, Will do.! -Marco
#85729From: Marc ReinigJul 4, 1994 9:29 AM
Phil, I checked out Winged.jpg. Nice work! Where can I get Corel3 on CD for ~$60? -Marco
#85851From: Philip GrossblattJul 5, 1994 6:47 PM
Marco, Go CDROM, and download Starvector's latest catalog- great prices on a lot of stuff. Phil.
#85634From: jeff HolinskiJul 3, 1994 2:14 AM
Philip, The solution is simple. Just lathe it with 4 segments then drag points if you want it to be a rectangle rather than a square. You may want to rotate the axis so it lines up with the frame a bit better :^) Jeff H…
#85677From: Peter GreciJul 3, 1994 3:09 PM
Want a Sqaure Path. Add 4 Axis' to the Detail editor in the order you want the path to follow then pick em all and use the menu item "make Path"
#85705From: Philip GrossblattJul 3, 1994 10:42 PM
Peter, nope, it don't work! It looks square in one view, but in the others look like an infinity symbol.The corners are not square, ie 90 degrees, cause the path is a spline path. Thanx anyhow, Phil.
#85747From: Peter GreciJul 4, 1994 1:38 PM
Turn off Continuous knot…..Perhaps that will work. Also you need to rotate the Axi……..Now I'm gonna have to try this…… TTL