Simon

Simon’s name plaque was all about using texture bitmaps to manipulate the relief in cool ways. I wanted the finished name plaque to resemble two plates riveted together with the lettering raised over the top. The first step was to create the necessary vectors.

I then created two separate fat reliefs.

When I hit the render button they appeared as one relief but this is because they were the same height.

I then used a freehand shade to create a slightly sloped and irregular warp. The same bitmap was applied to the second relief (on the left) – one at a time.

Once I had applied the bitmaps I checked out the front view to make sure I had the results I was looking for.
I created a rectangle vector (bigger than the lettering outline and then applied a second bitmap of a random fade. This will create a twist in the relief. I combined the two riveted plate vectors and applied the same twisted bitmap to them with the same value of 0.6″ (which is quite large and will produce a dramatic result.

The rectangle was hidden below the combined plate reliefs.  I would deal with that a little later.
The rivets were created next using the dome tool.

I then modified the rectangle relief by adding to it using the lettering border as a mask. I hit the render and it was peeking out a little but not enough.
The solution was to add more height to the modification. I thought I had added enough but when I added the texture to age the plate I had the same problem and so I added more height to the lettering outline another time.

Once everything was nudged vertically into position it was time to MERGE HIGHEST with the base relief and the lettering outline relief.

The last step was to add the raised dome lettering.

I tool pathed the relief and then sent it to the MultiCam to be routed from 30 lb Precision Board.  The raw plaque looked pretty cool!

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Dustin

Dustin’s name plaque was the next to be done. I used a method and tools that I don’t often use in EnRoute. The vectors were designed (as usual) in EnRoute.

To create a chamfered edge I used the bevel tool and the ‘limit to height’ command. By defining the base (0.35″) and the height of the finished relief (0.75″) as well of the angle of the bevel (45 degrees)I had full control of the results. There are other ways of accomplishing this task in EnRoute but this is my favourite with a straight bevel (as opposed to a rounded one)

I then modified the base relief by raining the centre portion by 0.1″

The texture was the next addition using the same vector as a mask.

I then created a separate relief using the lettering border vector. It was a flat relief. I guessed at the height I required but this is not critical because after I created the relief I checked the front view and nudged it up one notch to create the look I was going for.

Here’s the front view with the lettering outline selected.

I the]]hen merged highest to combine the two reliefs.

The last step was to create the lettering by again modifying the base relief using the lettering vectors. I used the dome tool but used the constant height option and defined the height of the dome as 0.07″ The base (or vertical potion of the lettering was 0.15″.

The name plaque was then ready to tool path and send off to the MultiCam. Askwith all of the name plaques they are being cut from 1.5″ 30 lb Precision Board. I used a rough pass (50% overlap) with a 3/8″ ball nose bit and a final pass (80% overlap) using a 1/8″ ball nose bit. The piece was then cut out using a 3/8″ cutter.

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

Lorna’s name plaque

It’s that time once more. With the Sculpting Magic Workshops now just over seven weeks away it is time to begin preparations. That means it’s time to do the name plaques which we present to all attendees. That’s more than thirty different pieces to create. This time to make the plaques I decided to test a bunch of the new bitmaps I’m working as make them. 
The first piece will be a flag. The vectors were created in EnRoute. The lettering and rectangle vectors were created square and level and then I used the patch distort tool to create a waving flag.

 

I then created a flat relief.
I then imported one of the new bitmaps and applied it using a setting of 0.5″. The result was a flag that waved vertically in a cool way.
The lettering outline was then raised.
Then it was time for the final step which was to use the bevel tool to 
The front and side views show how much the panel curves on the surface.

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Scribbling down ideas

With the next Sculpture Magic Workshop now less than two and a half months away it is time to begin preparations. We start with the name plaques as they make great filler projects. I began tonight, scribbling ideas in my sketchbook while I watched the superman movie. I managed to nail down eleven concepts. Not all are complete but once I get this far the rest comes easy.

We do name plaques for each attendee for a number of reasons. It is a chance to stretch my mind in a hurry as I create more than a score of unique name plaques. I also use a variety of techniques to design the routing files. That’s good practice using EnRoute software. We use the plaques to practice our painting techniques and often try out new things. Designing, routing and painting the plaques helps us remember each attendees name as well. Most importantly it’s one more thing that takes our workshops over the top as each attendee gets to take them home when the workshop is done.

With a name like Zuzana the background begged to be zebra stripes. You can bet this won’t be black and white when it is done.

Nancy is a classic name and a typewriter font came to mind.

Bailee has attended our workshops previously. Young in years she is a very creative person!
Andy needed a playful lettering style. I have some cool ideas in mind for the background texture.

BOB is a fun name to play with. The ‘B’s begged to be back to back and the ‘O’ wanted to be nice and round like a ball. I’ll bet the ‘O’ sees some gold leaf.

Caitlyn has also attended a workshop previously. This oriental style font seemed to call her name.

I’m not finished with Jeremy yet and this will still get some serious tweaking to make the idea I have in mind work.

Same goes for Kenna but I know exactly where we are going from here.

Steve will be all about the background texture to make it pop. This is going to be cool.

I’m now more than half way through the sketching of ideas. With eleven ideas now nailed it can get tricky to come up with even more creative name plaques.  But no worries for there have been more than two hundred and fifty unique name plaques created since we began our workshops.

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

Retro Eveline

I’ve always loved the retro, streamlined, modern scripts on old cars and fridges which inspired my choice of lettering for Eveline’s name plaque. I decided it needed to be in a simple oval with a textured background. The vectors were created in EnRoute. a little kerning was necessary. I first created a flat relief.

The next step was to modify the flat oval relief by raising the center portion using the dome tool.

Then I added a texture called chicken scratch with a value of 0.15″

I then used the splotches bitmap to add a gentle overall texture to the inside oval.

I then created a flat relief using the lettering outline. It was 0.45″ tall.

I then modified this flat relief using the dome tool and the inside oval vector. I used the same values for the doming so the curve matched the base oval.

I then nudged the lettering outline vertically into position in the front view.

This was then merged highest with the base relief.

Lastly I added the lettering using the dome tool. The lettering had a vertical base of 0.15″

The piece was tool pathed using a 3/8″ ball nose bit and a 50% overlap for the rough and a 1/8″ ball nose bit and an 80% overlap for the final. As usual it was machined on the MultiCam from 1.5″ thick 30 lb Precision Board.
I look forward to seeing how Becke is going to paint this piece up.
-dan

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