Guy’s name tag

For Guy’s name plaque I decided a log round would be cool. I started with a domed round relief then imported the bitmap (from the TEXTURE MAGIC COLLECTION)

I created the first vector and relief round because the bitmap was that shape, but I squished it a bit to make it an oval. I then created a 1/2″ tall flat relief using the lettering outline.

Then using the oval vector (offset from the primary relief) I modified the lettering outline relief using the dome tool.

Then I modified the oval base relief  using the lettering vectors. This effectively pushed the letters (with the wood grain) up through the smooth lettering outline.

The last step was to merge (highest) the two reliefs.

As always the file was now ready for tool pathing and then to be sent to the MultiCam to be routed from 1.5″ 30 lb Precision Board.
It will look even better with paint and glazes. Stay tuned…
-dan

Published with permission from precisionboard.blogspot.com. Source.

Lunar name plaque

Doug isn’t like anybody else I know. By his own description he is part artist, sculptor, painter and mad scientist. His current logo is a rocket blasting off of a moon. Designing his name plaque is a snap. the font had to reflect his character. If you study it real hard you can even read it.  🙂

To create the moon I started with a simple domed relief.

Then I added a new bitmap, which will be part of the new TEXTURE MAGIC COLLECTION which I am currently working on.

Then it was on to the lettering border. I first created a flat relief 0.4″ tall. The height is arbitrary. I then created an offset vector I would use to modify the lettering border. I didn’t change the settings from when I created the moon relief and so the lettering border curved in the same manner.

Before I merged the lettering border to the moon I modified the moon relief by adding the lettering. It had to be higher than the lettering outline relief to show up.

I then merged highest the lettering border to the moon background.

The moon was then ready to be tool pathed and sent off to the MultiCam to be routed from a piece of 1.5″ thick 30 lb Precision Board.

I’m thinking that since I only see my good friend Doug rarely a blue moon might be just the ticket.
-dan

Published with permission from precisionboard.blogspot.com. Source.

Checkerboard name plaque

With the Sign Magic Workshop now just over a month away it is time to get busy with the preparations. Each guest will receive a routed name plaque to take home with them. Through the years of the workshops I’ve designed and routed more than 200 of these name plaques – all different. they are a great way to learn the program!

For Kyle I decided a checkered flag would be cool. I wanted it to wave both vertically and horizontally. I would do it using some cool tools in EnRoute. I first created a rectangular flat relief. then I imported a checkered bitmap from my TEXTURE MAGIC COLLECTION.  I carefully sized the flat relief to fit the checkered squares.

I then applied this bitmap.

I then selected both the lettering vectors and the relief and using the distort tool formed ten into a wave pattern.

I added an outline using the offset drawing tool.

Then I added a subtle texture using a bitmap called SPLOTCHES. This would make the adding of glazes much easier later when we were doing the paint.

The lettering border was next, created as a separate flat relief.

Then I added the beveled lettering to the border. Notice the beveled letters have a base of 0.15″ as this makes them easy to paint. I merged highest all the pieces to make one relief.

I then selected the base relief and the lettering vectors to add a subtle texture using the splotches bitmap once more but only to the letters this time. The border around the letters remained smooth.

To create the vertical wave in the flag I used another bitmap. The white would raise while the black did nothing, greys something in-between. I used a value of 0.6″ which makes things pretty dramatic.

I tool pathed the name plaque using a 3/8″ ball nose bit for the rough pass (50% overlap) and then a final pass was done with a 1/8″ ball nose bit at 80% overlap. The flag was routed from 1.5″ thick 30 lb Precision Board.
Stay tuned for more name plaques in the coming days.
-dan

Published with permission from precisionboard.blogspot.com. Source.

Paint MAGIC (part two)

Here’s the second batch of name plaques – ready for the workshop.

There is still another bunch of name plaques in the painting process. ‘ll post the pics of them when they are done. Stay tuned…
-dan

Published with permission from precisionboard.blogspot.com. Source.

Paint MAGIC (part one)

Creating files in EnRoute is great fun! Watching the files become real as they are routed from Precision Board on our MultiCam still fascinates me, even after more than six years. But it is the painting process where the real magic happens.

In our Sign Magic Workshops we spend lots of hands-on time teaching the unique ways we use to create this magic. The name plaques we create for all of our guests are one way we can show all that is possible. They are not all finished yet but I thought I’d show the ones that are ready in this and the next entries…

Stay tuned for the next batch…
-dan

Published with permission from precisionboard.blogspot.com. Source.