Braille Type ~ How to ungroup leaf-level transforms

[Anonymous]

Hi.

I make braille plaques for zoos and am moving into 3D Type for this for 3D printing. I need to edit the text but am stopped by the error message "Can't ungroup leaf-level transforms".

Visible in the image is Braille for 'Type' with locator dots inbetween the text dots. I need to be able to individually delete the locator dots and also need to move individual text dots for some abbreviations.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

~S.~

[sean.heasley]

Hi @Anonymous and welcome to the community!

Is there any history on the object?

If so, delete the history and then try to edit the text.

If that doesn't work, when you get a chance can you please zip and attach the scene file here or via dropbox/google drive or another file sharing program so I can take a look at it?

[Anonymous]

Hi, Sean.

Thanks for the reply.

No history. New file.

Here is what I've tried so far:

'Lobo' the Forum Moderator @ Renderosity said this - "This is an error you get when you try to ungroup with one or more of the individual objects within the group selected. You need to select the group node. With the group node selected you can now ungroup all the objects with the ungroup function. To select the group node(s), select an object within the group, press the up arrow, and then select ungroup from the pull down menu. sometimes you can have multiple groups under 1 group so make sure you have the node you want selected."

However, I can't try this because for some reason the type won't select.

Is there any chance I could talk someone into installing this 'SimBraille' TTF and helping me through just this first bit of being able to access and use the font?

https://ufonts.com/fonts/simbraille.html

Thanks!

Tim

[sean.heasley]

Hi @Anonymous

I just downloaded the font and when I create Type I can simply type out phrases and sentences like normal.

Is this not the case for you?

If you can explain a bit more your workflow and what you're trying to type out I can see what I'm missing.

[Anonymous]

Hi, Sean. I have no trouble typing out the Braille words. The problem is in editing them. I need to remove the locator dots and I need to move individual dots to create abbreviations. I am unable to select single dots or manipulate or edit them. Thanks so much for investigating. ~T.~

[Anonymous]

Hi, Sean. I have no trouble typing out the Braille words. The problem is in editing them. I need to remove the locator dots and I need to move individual dots to create abbreviations. I am unable to select single dots or manipulate or edit them. Thanks so much for investigating. ~T.~

[sean.heasley · Accepted solution]

Hi @frogknockers

Ah ok, I went ahead and made this quick video of myself working with the braille type to see if I understand your issues.

Quick fixes you can try are deleting your settings/preferences and/or updating your Maya to Update 4 of 2018.

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

Hi, Sean.

What a great video. The one piece I had missed was converting to 'faces'. That solves my problem. Thanks much!

~T.~

[sean.heasley]

Hi @Anonymous

No problem! I'm glad it helped you out !

[Anonymous]

Hi, Sean.

Thanks again for the great responses. One last question: is there a way to 'pull down' guide lines, like in Photoshop?

~T.~

[sean.heasley]

Hi @Anonymous

Do you mean have guidelines display on screen like they do in Photoshop?

If so then no not necessarily but you could select the object and go to Modfiy->Center Pivot then use the Snap Setting to snap the object to the center of the grid so it's exactly centered.

Sorry if I'm misunderstanding your question.

[Anonymous]

Hi. Thanks for reply. Have heard I can use 2-point 'curves' to make guidelines. How should I do that? Thanks! ~T.~

[sean.heasley · Accepted solution]

Hi @frogknockers

I'm not sure on your exact set up for 3d printing this so it can be a bit tough to figure out how you want the braille to be lined up.

That said I made another quick video for you so let me know if it helps you out!

If one or more of these posts helped answer your question, please click Accept as Solution on the posts that helped you so others in the community can find them easily.

Kudos are greatly appreciated. Everyone likes a thumbs up!

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

Hi, Sean.

Wow. Another great video. The reason your type is not exactly the same is that I begin and end QUITO with codes for quotes and all-caps. The Silverback line is broken into 2 lines. I rotate the type 90 degrees so it lays on its back on top of the grid and I work in a top view. Have attached an earlier Nile Crocodile plaque.

The image plane is a great idea but I will also use the curves.

Thanks again. Good stuff.

~T.~

[Anonymous]

Hi, Sean.

Three more little questions:

Is there a way to color the curves so they 'pop' ?

What program do you use to make your movies?

Do you know how I might make my own True Type Font so I could assign braille 'words' to a single key? I need to use braille abbreviations for a lot of the narrative and those need to be constructed initially one dot at a time. I was wondering if I could make a TTF that was full of these abbreviations instead of individual characters.

Thanks!

~T.~

[sean.heasley · Accepted solution]

Hi @Anonymous

1. Here's a video on changing the color of curves:

2. We use Screencast to make videos.

3. Sadly I don't know how to make your own true type fonts but I'm sure if you look online you might be able to find some resources that could help you!

[Anonymous]

Great. Thanks, Sean. You definitely da' man. ~T.~

[Anonymous]

Hi, Sean.

Thanks again for all the great videos. My 'Display' drop-down is different than the one in your tutorial and also has a color slider. Is this important? Also, once I have assigned a color and see that it has applied, I can't change the color. Even with Enable Overrides checked.

Thanks!

~T.~

[sean.heasley · Accepted solution]

Hi @Anonymous

No it shouldn't matter much. That video is using Maya 2013 so there have been some UI changes since then but the functionality should work the same.

[Anonymous]

T'anks! ~T.~