A current project in the shop is a three dimensional crest for a city. The file is somewhat complicated, mostly because it involves so many steps and procedures to build the file using a wide variety of techniques. The most important thing is that they be done in the right order.I received the file from another sign maker who has taken one of our workshops. It was an Illustrator file designed for printing. My job was to adapt it for a dimensional plaque. The piece will be relatively small – measuring approximately 24 inch wide by 36 inches tall and will be routed from a two inch thick 30 lb Precision Board.
I also added a late pill shaped vector around the image which I would use to round the shield face.
The first step was to create the base vectors as flat shapes.
Once we had the base relief I created more flat reliefs for the scroll that was under the shield. This was done in five pieces of various heights. These were then merged highest with the background.
The lettering on the scroll was created by selecting the base relief and he lettering vectors and then adding to the relief.
The shield base relief was also modified by adding to it using the next vector.
Then it was time to begin work on the individual shapes of the shield. I first created a flat relief. Then using the wiener shape vector around it I modified the original reliefs using the dome tool.
The relief was then merged by ADDING it to the base relief. This shaped it to the domed shield.
The shield is now well underway and looking great.
