Emboss from Image

Introduction

This topic will explain the Emboss from Image, describe where to find it, the options found in it, and will provide links to related topics.

Emboss from Image

This feature is used to import an image and create an emboss feature based on the grayscale values of the imported image and the Z-depth or maximum user specified height. Although any image can be used, results may vary. This means that an image is usually prepared to be used for the Emboss from Image feature. The proper type of image to use depends on the desired result. For example, height-map images, in which black represents the minimum height and white represents the maximum height, create reliable results. This is shown in the How to Create an Emboss from Image tutorial.

Navigation

To create an Emboss from Image feature:

In the BobART tab, right-click Emboss Model, and click Emboss From Image.

In the Open dialog, select a file type, then select an image file, and click Open.

The Create Emboss From Image dialog displays.

Tip: This feature can be seen in action in the How to Create an Emboss from Image tutorial.

Parameters

Quick Access

Apply - regenerates the canvas to display the current parameters of the feature.
OK - regenerates the canvas to display the current parameters of the feature and exits the dialog.
Cancel - discards the updates to the parameters and exits the dialog.
Show or Hide all images in the graphics area - This option will show all hidden images in the graphics area. This same option will hide all images in the graphics area, besides the one being worked on for those features which utilize a loaded image.
Show or Hide the embossed BobART model in the graphics area - This option will show the hidden canvas in the graphics area. This same option will hide the visible canvas in the graphics area.

Attributes

Name- indicates the feature name that displays in the BobART tree. By default, it is automatically named by the feature type and number. Note that you cannot use the hyphen (-) character with spaces around it, as this is reserved for the automatic naming and will be removed. You can however use it without spaces, for example, Emboss-Body).
Color - click the drop down to select a Theme Color or Standard Color, or click More Colors to open the Select Color dialog. Select the desired color for the feature, and click OK to set the color, or Cancel to exit the dialog.

Application Type

These options are explained in more detail in the Application Types help topic.

Add	Subtract	Merge High	Merge Low

Add - Builds up on top of the existing features.
Subtract - Pushes down into the existing features.
Merge High - Builds up independent of the existing features and intersects as needed.
Merge Low - Builds up in place of existing features.

Image

Load Image - Clicking this button will launch the Open dialog allowing you to select the image file to load. Once selected, the name of the file will appear below.

Origin


The list box will list the entity currently selected to act as the origin.

The Origin group sets the component location using the XYZ coordinate in reference to the coordinate system you select for the model. The origin is the bottom-left corner of the component.

X - determines the location along the X-axis of the selected coordinate system.
Y - determines the location along the Y-axis of the selected coordinate system.
Z - determines the location along the Z-axis of the selected coordinate system.

Size

The Size section displays the current size of the image. You use the following parameters to adjust the size of the image.

Keep Same Ratio

Select the check box to keep the same ratio between the X Size, Y Size, and Z Depth. When you edit one of these parameters, the others are automatically calculated to retain the original size ratio.

Clear the check box to edit the X Size, Y Size, and Z Depth parameters independently from each other. When you change one of these parameters, the others are not changed.
X Size - is the total size of the image along the X-axis.
Y Size - is the total size of the image along the Y-axis.
Z Depth - is the total size of the image along the Z-axis.

OK - accepts any changes and closes the dialog. (The first time you click OK, the feature is created and added to the BobART tree.)
Cancel - cancels the creation of the feature (the first time that the dialog box displays). When editing the feature, this cancels any changes and closes the dialog.

After defining the parameters, you use the Emboss Features in the BobART Tree to edit the feature as needed.

The Emboss Feature in the BobART Tree

When you finish defining the feature parameters and click OK, the feature is added to the BobART tree. You right-click each feature item in the tree to access a shortcut menu.

The Feature Shortcut Menus

Image Emboss

Right-click this item to access the following commands.

Edit - opens the Feature dialog for you to modify the feature parameters.
Delete - removes the feature from the tree. Regenerate to view the change in the model.
Suppress/Unsuppress - is used to remove the feature from the model or to restore a suppressed feature. To update the model, Regenerate.
Save As Component/STL - is used to save the feature as a component or .stl file. This saves the individual feature and not the entire model. The STL Save Option dialog box is displayed for you to set the tolerance. Next, the Save As dialog is displayed for you to select a location, name the file, and save it. The component can be used to create an Emboss from Component feature.

Image

Re/Load Image - displays the Open dialog box for you to select a file type, select an image file, and click Open. The image is used to create the feature. Regenerate to view the change in the model.
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. Regenerate to view the change in the model.

Generating the Model

After all necessary selections are made, you must regenerate to create the model.

To Regenerate the Model, do one of the following:

From the BobArt Tree, right-click Emboss Model, and click Regenerate.
From the feature dialog, click OK.

Note: Every time a change is made to an Emboss feature, you must Regenerate to update the model.

Emboss from Image

Introduction