The BobART Overview
Introduction
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.
Navigation
All BobART features are accessed in the 
BobART
Manager using the BobART
Tree.
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
Loading Images, Vector Files, or BobART (.bart) Files
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.
BobART Manager
Right-click to access the following commands.
-
Load Image -
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.
- Load BobART Pro-X (.bart)
File - displays the Open dialog box for you
to select and open a BobART (.bart) file. The embossed
model is displayed in the graphics area, and the feature
- Load Vector Files -
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
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.
Images
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.
- Change Origin - opens the Image Origin dialog box to reposition the image within the graphics area. This may be necessary if there are multiple images that require vectorization, or if you would like the image in a specific location for the vectorization process.
- Vectorize - opens the Raster to Vector dialog box, to define the vectorization parameters.
- Delete - removes the Image feature from the tree and the image from the graphics area.
- Blank/Unblank - hides or shows the image in the graphics area.
- Edit Image Using Paint - select this option to open the image for editing in the Paint program. When you are done editing, Save the changes and Exit the program. The changes are updated in 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.
Creating Emboss Models
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.
Emboss 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.
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.