CAD Software Forum

Is it possible to explode text to polylines? I would like to create 3D models of letters and numbers for making signs to be made using a CNC router.

jeffmorris,

A text can be a .shp file (ASCII file) which is compiled into a .shx file and used in CAD simmilar to a block insertion.

The shape definitions in the .shp file look like:

*UNIFONT,6,IC-TXT (C) Copyright 2000 IntelliCAD Technology Consortium
100,33,2,0,0,0

*0000A,17,lf
002,009,0,-83,0,-84,0,0,00E,009,75,83,75,84,0,0,000

*00020,13,spc
002,00E,008,-50,-100,008,100,0,00E,008,-50,-33,000

*00021,73,kexc
002,00E,008,0,-100,008,0,0,001,008,0,17,002,008,0,16,001,008
0,67,002,008,0,0,001,00D,0,-67,0,0,0,002,008,0,-16,001,00D,0,-17
0,0,0,002,008,0,100,001,00D,0,-67,0,0,0,002,008,0,-16,001,00D
0,-17,0,0,0,002,008,33,0,00E,008,-33,-50,000

Because these are only definitions the binary .shx file which is generated by CAD loads faster than blocks.

The downside to text insert speed is that the text cannot be exploded.

I do not remember if Intellicad has the wmfout command...if so take a look at the following link

http://www.cadforum.cz/cadforum_en/qaID.asp?tip=1901

ssc

ssc,

IntelliCAD has the wmfout command however, the wmfin is not supported as yet.