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The BobART module provides enhanced tools for creating, modifying, and maintaining embossed models and vectorized geometry. The BobART Tree is used to load images, vector image files, and various BobART files (.bart, .bbas, and component/.stl) that are used to create embossed models.
All BobART features are accessed in the BobART tab of the Data-CAM-Tree Manager using the BobART Tree.
The following tree items are always visible in the BobART Tree. You right-click these tree items to display a shortcut menu as explained in the following sections of this document.
BobART Manager
Images
Emboss Model
The BobART Manager item in the BobART tree contains a shortcut menu for loading images, vector files, or BobART (.bart) files. The way that you use the files depends on the type you are loading. The workflow for each type is explained next.
Right-click to access the following commands.
Load Image - displays the Open dialog box. Select a file type, then select and open an image file. The image is displayed in the graphics area and the feature tree is added under Images (to be vectorized).
TIP: If an image that you want to load is not listed in the Open dialog box even though the proper location is selected, click the arrow next to Files of type, and select All files (or the appropriate file type) at the bottom of the list. You can use the Files of Type list to view all the file types that you can load. For a list of these file types, view the Supported File Types.
NOTE: BobCAD-CAM supports the ability to open protected (secured) vector (.pdf) files by allowing you to type the passwords for these files in the user interface. When you select a secured vector file, you are prompted to type the required passwords for the document. There are two password boxes that display: Edit/Owner Password and Open/User Password. Type only one or both passwords as needed for the original document and click OK.
Vectorizing images is the process of creating wireframe geometry from an image based on the location and color of pixels in the image. After this raster-to-vector conversion, the geometry that is created can be edited and used to create embossed models or milling features. The process includes loading an image and defining the vectorization strategy.
Right-click this item to access the following command.
Load Image - displays the Open dialog box. Select a file type, then select and open an image file. The image is displayed in the graphics area, and an Image (vectorization feature) is added to the BobART tree.
Blank/Unblank All- hides or shows all images in the graphics area simultaneously.
Image file name
Right-click this item to access the following commands for modifying the image.
Vectorization
This item is added to the tree (under Image) after an image is vectorized. Right-click Vectorization to access the following command.
Edit - opens the Raster to Vector dialog box for you to modify the vectorization parameters.
The Emboss features create a 3D model in the graphics area. The process includes creating wireframe geometry and BobART stock to contain the geometry. When you add an Emboss feature, a dialog box is displayed for you to define the feature parameters. When you finish and click OK, the feature is added to the tree, and you can then select the geometry for the feature. The final step is to Regenerate to create the model.
Right-click this item to access the following commands for adding Emboss features to the tree. The following links lead to the help topics for the dialog box parameters of each feature. Be sure to check the Related Topics section of each document for links to tutorials/examples for each feature type.
How to Save Whole Emboss As Component/STL
To get started creating embossed models, after reviewing the dialog box parameters, view the Pig Art Emboss Tutorial. This tutorial explains the steps for using multiple emboss features together to create a detailed model.