what is the best way to emboss text on tube?

Hi Everyone,
i would like to hear suggestions on how to emboss text on a tube while the
text extrusion axis on each letter should be pointing towards the tube
center axis (normal to tube surface).
is there a way to create in one sketch text object many letters and
afterwards by some manipulation to emboss the whole text inside the tube
without orienting each letter on a plane which is perpendicular to the
center axis of the tube? - i mean in such manner, that afterwards, every
little change in the text sketch object will update the whole embossing
process automaticaly.

 

Maybe create a trimmed surface from the sketch, then use the "thicken
cut" option in surface features?

I'm not sure this would update with text changes though...

~Alex

 

If I read you right, I do this all the time on the counters we
make...[non-electronic counting wheels as back up systems in aircraft -
pilots I guess still don't trust the electronics completely!! ] We have
to show screened numbers going around a wheel, so the best way is to use the
"wrap" feature.

Create your text on one plane as needed, exit the sketch. then select the
sketch from the tree and then "insert->features->wrap" and select the
surface...

Scott

 

what do you mean exactly? can you be more specific?

if i create planar surfaces from the sketch, then what is the next step? how
should i bend them (flex wont work) or orient them aroud the center axis of
the tube?

thanks.

Gil

 

Well for those who are interested - i found an approximate solution, which
although it is not elegant, i think it is quite smart.
I've created a flat extruded rectangle with the text protruding from him
towards the inside face of the tube. Now this is were it gets interesting
(for all those who claimed that the flex feature is unnecesery and
unhandy) - i used the flex feture with bend on it, in order to bend the
plate with the text so it will sit inside the tube perfectly. afterwards, a
simple combine with subtract finished the job.... and now the text is
embossed inside the tube perfectly with the ability at any time to change
the content, size, style and format of the text.

any comments, suggestions on how to make it better or more simple, or
suggestions on a different methode will be highly appriciated.

cheers,
Gil Alsberg

 

Gil,

I don't understand why you are doing it with such an arcane method. As
Remy and Scott suggested, the wrap feature does exactly what you want,
very easily.

KK

 

"yo - some may call, ya'll a dope,
for not lis'nin to all da quotes..
we done 'toll you hows to do it right!!
so is you jus' doin' it this way out of spite?
why ya'll messin' wit all 'dat crap,
when all ya'll gots to do is use the freakin' rap!! (wrap!!)"

Oh well, you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make 'em drink it... I
guess I could drive to work in reverse and still eventually get to my job
too, but why?

Scott

(PS - Can you tell I'm white?) ) heh...

 

well, KK, honestly i dont see or saw their repleis! and i'm unfamiliar with
the wrap feature! thank's for pointing me to this feature i will check it on
the online help.

cheers,
Gil

 

good ryming man! read what i replied to timelord and you will understand why
i such a hugh complication out of this.

 

maybe there is somthing wrong with my outlook express settings, but i can't
spot any new posts or replies about my thread from guys named Remy and
Scott! wiered isn't it?!

 

in ie - "google newsgroups" those posts appear, but on my outlook express
they don't! as if my news client is screening some of the posts randomly
out.

 

You probably already know this so just ignore

But if you didn't
This group is served up on google in web browser and well structured.
http://groups.google.ca/group/comp.cad.solidworks?lnk=srg&hl=en


I never use outlook express for viewing newsgroups.

BW