engraving onto a solid surface

I am afraid you will have to explode the text & creat each letter into a close polyline & extrude them, then subtract them from the object.

I have had to do the same thing. I have one problem when I do it though. How would you go about turning them into a polyline? I can't seem to explode them into less than a single line text. I usually have to go back and trace over the text with polylines and then delete the text. Is it possible to explode the text then turn it into polylines without the tracing?

I am afraid you will have to explode the text & creat each letter into a close polyline & extrude them, then subtract them from the object.

I usually will use a block type font & if you just erase all the inner lines after exploding the rest can be p-edit ed together.

I have done this with several types of text for our CNC laser to cut out letters... some text styles will explode into several lines , others will explode into several faces. putting the next on a certain layer & locking it (without exploding it) & using a polyline to trace over it , is probably the fastest way & results are decent... HIH Rob

The Express tools have an 'Explode text" that will do it; but if you don't have the ETs, then you have you export/import to get it done.

Export a metafile (WMF), then import the file you just exported. Explode the new block, delete the frame, and you'll have polylines.

sorry for the delay

company pc down for two days

looks like i am going to do it the long way

but if i find a faster method i will post it

thanks colin