Generating Vectors

ArtCAM

Generating Vectors
Overview
Vectors are mathematically defined shapes consisting of a series of points (nodes), which are connected by lines, arcs or curves (spans) to form the overall shape. Vectors can be generated directly within ArtCAM by using the Vector Tools in the Assistant or on the top Vector toolbar (as shown).

Vectors can be rectangles, squares, circles, polylines, ellipses, polygons, stars or text. These can be edited if required to make the final vectors to create a relief from. Vectors can also be imported from another drawing package, using the File Import menu option, or copied and pasted from another package using the standard Windows commands.

Press Create New Model. Set the size as Height 150 and Width 150. Set the Datum in the middle of the model. Set the resolution as 600 x 600 points by using the slider.

Once the model size has been set, the design can begin.

Select OK.
The model is now opened and the Vectors are generated in the 2D View. The 3D View is used for displaying the ArtCAM relief.

From the Assistant or Vector toolbar, select the Create Rectangle icon.

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Generating Vectors

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The rectangle creation page appears, showing the options available. The rectangle can be created by clicking in the screen and dragging to a size, or by entering in the values. Several rectangles can be created without closing down the page.

Each Assistant Page has help available, indicated by the word Show Help.

Press Show Help.

The Assistant displays help at the side of each option. Typically, this increases the length of the page and you will have to move the page down to see further instructions, by moving the bar down.

Some commands have a video clip to show the command in use. Just press the video icon.

Once help is switched on it is displayed for each command. To switch this off, you need to Hide the Help.

Hide Help.

Press down the left mouse button in the 2D view and drag a rectangle of any size.

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ArtCAM

The rectangle appears as dotted. The length and height can be dragged by moving the big squares in the middle of the sides. A radius can be put on the corners by dragging in one corner. The rectangle can be rotated by dragging around the lever in the centre.

Click on a corner and drag inwards.

A radius has been given to the corners of the rectangle. If you press Create the rectangle will be generated, leaving the form in creation mode.

Press Create. Generate more rectangles, pressing space bar after each one (instead of create. Press Close.

There are now several vectors in the 2D View. Vectors are removed by selecting them individually, using the left mouse button or by picking a group and then pressing delete on the keyboard or the cut icon in the assistant.

Stretch a box completely over all of the vectors so they turn pink. This means they are selected, Select Cut From the File area of the Assistant.
ArtCAM has an Undo facility, which will allow the user to go back 20 steps with Vectors and back one step with a relief.

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MP3 Casing Example

Now that all the original vectors are removed, the same model (Size and Resolution) will be used for the creation of the Vectors required for an IPod Mp3 player casing. Below is a drawing of the item including basic dimensions, so that the user can get an idea of how the final product should look before working through the step by step instructions.

50

40

110

60

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Select the Create Rectangle icon. Click on the option rectangle. Enter a Width of 60; a Height of 110; Corner Radii of 3 and a centre point of X 0 and Y 0. Press Create
. The main shape of the casing is generated

Change the Width to 50, Height to 40, Corner Radii to 1 and the centre point to X = 0 and Y = 30. Press the right mouse button.
By pressing the right mouse button, the rectangular vector is generated and the Rectangle Assistant page is closed. The second rectangle will represent the screen.

Click on the Circle icon.

The Circle Creation form appears in the Assistant.

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Set the Circle centre as X 0 Y 20, Radius as 25 and press Create. Change the Circle radius to 10, and press Create and then Close.

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This will create the two circles of the Control Panel

Now you are going to create the FF icon use the Zoom tool to zoom in on the right hand side of the circles

Select the Create Polygons icon

Enter No of Sides 3; Angle 90; Centre of Polygon at X = 16, Y = -20 and Radius of 2 Click Create - this will create the first triangle Keep the same values except for the X value change this to 19 Click Create > Close this will create the second triangle.

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Your FF icon should now look like this

The simplest way to create the Rewind icon is to use the Mirror tool to copy the FF icon you have just drawn.

Use the Select Vectors to draw a box around the FF icon it should turn pink

Choose the Mirror Vectors icon Choose the Right icon - > Close

Now use the Select Vectors tool to pick up the copy and move it across to the left side of the circle

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The next task is to insert the MENU icon at the top of the control panel.

ArtCAM

Select the icon Vector Text.

Note: Any additional fonts loaded onto the computer will be recognised ArtCAM, as well as the standard fonts.

Select Font as Arial, Script Western, Size as 2 mm. Click at the top of the control and type MENU.

Text Spacing allows the user to vary the spacing between the individual characters.
Select Done. Save the model as MP3 player. Close the model.

Task :
Open a new model of height 150, width 100. Generate the vectors for this apple juice model, using your own values. Save the model as apple.

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Issue ArtCAM-Educational v7.2