CG Form - 3D Modelling with Lightwave

Importing Font Outlines from Illustrator

An alternative to using the Text Tool, is to import Font Outlines from an Illustrator EPS file, using the 'EPSF Loader'.

First convert the Text to outlines in Illustrator (Type > Create Outlines), then select the Text and deactivate 'Colour Fills'. Save as a Version 8 Illustrator EPS file. Then Import into Modeler using the EPSF Loader.

Note: The 'Auto AxisDrill' option in the EPSF Loader Popup will try to automatically drill any required holes in your Text.

File > Import > EPSF_Loader

Drill Tool - Stencil

The Drill Tool works like the Boolean and Solid Drill tools, except it uses '2D' geometry in the Back-Ground Layer, to act as the cutting tool.

Note: Select the Fore-Ground faces that you intend to cut. This will help to speed up the Boolean or Drill process, as it tells Modeler where to focus and saves from processing the whole model.

Multiply > Combine > Drill (R Key)

Text Tool

Before you can use the 'Text Tool' you'll need to Edit the Font List. From the Popup Dialogue, you can load a previously saved list. 'Well that's the theory!

Once you've got some Fonts loaded, open the Numeric Panel before activating the Text Tool. If you wish to access a shortcut key once the Text Tool is activated (such as the 'n' key), you'll need to first press 'ESC', followed by the required Shortcut.

Clicking in a Viewport will bring up the 'Text Insertion Pointer'. The 'Vertical Size Handle' controls the size of the text, while the Horizontal Handle is used for kerning. You can type directly into the Viewport, and use the 'Up' and 'Down' Arrow Keys to cycle through the Font List or use the Numeric Panel to select a font.

Some Fonts may have additional Points near the corner Vertices which can cause problems if you intend to Bevel the Text. If this is the case, make sure that the 'Corners' option is set to 'Sharp' rather than 'Buffered'.

Modeler > Options > Edit Font List
Create > Elements > Text (W Key)

MultiText Tool

Also check out the MultiText Tool for creating multiple lines of text. It can even load text from an external file.

Construct > Utilities > Additional > MultiText

Other Techniques - Curved Edges

I just wanted to briefly mention this here, it's a technique of mixing SubDs and Normal Polygons. It's useful for creating rounded edges on text. I discuss it in more detail on Page 7.

See: Seamlessly Blending Sub-D's and Faces