Simple workflow to create 20 unique name plaques

[Anonymous]

Is there a quick workflow where I can make carved plaques for my extended family (I have the CAM worked out, I'm just having problems with two things).  

Rough workflow:

- create text (prefer to cut into the wood than have raised letters, although I'll probably do a mix)

- add/tweak fillet or chamfer options to make each run a little different

- run CAM, make nice gift

- alter text for next name

(lather, rinse, repeat)

I need a way to set this up and then go back and change the text for each.  Haven't figured out how.

The second problem I'm having is that I can't select the top edge of a letter that is recessed (cut into the model).  No biggie for H or A, real pain to have to click 20 times for an S (especially if you miss click).  I've tried selecting faces and bodies (which will select the bottom part of the letter, but not the top edge), I'm pretty sure I can put a fillet on all edges on the top face, but I wanted to do a different operation on the outside edge).  I've also tried selecting features, which gets me the whole text object but when I'm in the fillet tool it ignores that selection and the only option is edges. The rule fillet only does the bottom of the text.  I'd love to just be able to double click a line and select everything contiguous on the same plane, but that doesn't work.

Thanks!

-M

[Oceanconcepts]

To select only the top edges of your inset text for filleting, set the selection filter to edges only-uncheck select all and check body edges. 

Orient the view so you are nearly or completely edge on.  Select either the fillet tool or the press-pull tool, drag a selection rectangle left to right so only the top edges of the text you want to select are completely within the selection boundary. This will select all of the top text edges with one action without getting the outside edges. If you miss any or get any extra, you can click them to add or remove. 

For complicated selections such as selecting only part of the text, you might want to make the object semi-transparent, either by applying a translucent material or by adjusting the opacity of the component by using the opacity control- right click on the component in the browser to get this menu item. This will let you see exactly where you are placing the selection rectangle. 

You also have freeform selection and paint selection as options under the select menu, but for working on a plane, the rectangle is probably more accurate. 

[HughesTooling]

Rather than model the engraving in 3d have you thought about using the Engrave function in the CAM workspace to give you a carved look. All you have to do is draw the text in the model workspace then in the CAM workspace just select the text in the engrave operation.

Here's an example showing the 2d text and the toolpaths.

And here the simulation.

For the next version just go back to the model workspace and edit the text in the sketch, you can change the font as well, go back to the CAM and regenerate.

One minute later and you have another version. You need to hide the model to see the simulation properly, there's a small bug and the light bulb stays on even when the display is off.

File attached

Mark.

[Anonymous]

These both look like good solutions, I can't check them because I'm getting a funky launch error in F360.  (Authentication Error.)

Thanks for your help!