how do i create a path to retain the center of a letter

[Anonymous]

hello all, im trying to add a path of material to keep the center of my letters. in the sample pic the letters are all going to be plasma cut out, background of the arch will remain as the base. any suggestions other then doing it in the software prior to importing to f360? thnx

[mavigogun]

Does this exist as a Sketch?   If so, just Sketch > Line(s) where needed, Followed By Sketch > Break, and Sketch > Trim.

[Anonymous]

did it but when I selected the base the middle doesn't come up as attached

[Anonymous]

link to dxf and f360 files

heres are actual fusion and dxf files

also attached here

[tommVS2MB]

I changed to a different font. The one I used was "bluefish stencil".

Tom Meyers

[mavigogun]

The bridge to the text island must have width, yes?    As I understand your design intent, I've recorded a demonstration- sans sound, as noise here is excessive.   The product may be seen here:

 FYI:  the lay up program for plasma cutters often incorporate a bridging tool.

[mavigogun]

Double post.

[Anonymous]

thanks for the vid.. that works and all but I feel that's extremely time consuming for a single path much less another 7 of them. I did it on other designs in my dxf software, but I was hoping there was another way in f360. I wonder if theres an actual "join" type function. im on a different computer right now to show what I tried a little while ago. I really appreciate the response. all I did on the others was use the brush or eraser tool, but im trying to learn as much as I can for fusion and I spent a long time messing around for that single action.

[mavigogun]

The slowness is due to the massive number of line segments in the Sketch.    You can speed that up by Sketching the bridges on a new Sketch- since only a few rectangles, they will be quick and easy.   Then Project the sign Sketch into the new Sketch, Trim out 2 Lines per bridge, and you're done.   All the Extrusion business is completely unnecessary, as you just need an outline for the plasma cutter.   Keep in mind the kerf width of the cutter.

If you insist on absolutely minimizing Sketching, you could Extrude the sign Symmetrically, create a Sketch on its midplane, Sketch single bridging Lines across to the islands, Model > Create > Pipe to produce the connecting Body, followed by Projecting the product to a new Sketch.

There are a few other ways, but I figured the very first- modifying the original Sketch -required the fewest skills.    I reckon you'd be half way done in the time spent watching the screencast and reading this post.   There must be very few occasions in which "employ a never used design tool" = the fastest method.

[Anonymous]

that would be the easiest solution for that style of font no doubt, however there are many other fonts im going to be using and would love to find the quickest approach regardless of which style I go with. but that font is a great alternative for that style... thanks!

[Anonymous]

im really new to this software and plasma cutting in general, my machine is on order so im doing my best to work with the software before it arrives. I am however extremely familiar on vinyl designs. so ive done it many times before in my other software. just forgot when I exported it and was just another task I was trying to learn in 360. I am definitely a newbie to this and really appreciate EVERYONES input to helping me get solutions.

[mavigogun]

Maybe this was missed in an above post, but plasma cutter layup software commonly has a utility for anchoring orphaned islands to the part- at least, that I use at the local makerspace does.    Lost my notebook, otherwise I'd point you to a specific product.

[Anonymous]

thanks i will look for it and see what i can find!