In this article I will show you how to write a text in CATIA on a surface, in engineering this type of ‘write’ it’s named engraved or embossed text.
With engraved/ embossed text you can write on surfaces very easy using the popular commands Pad and Pocket using a predefined text. To do this, I will show you in few steps how to write a text on a surface.
Embossed/ engraved steps in CATIA V5
- First you must open a blank Drawing file (File -> New -> Drawing). In this file you must write the text that you want to be engraved or embossed. You can choose any popular font to write, but you must know that not all fonts are available to be used. To write use the Text command chose a font (e.g. Arial) and the size must be 20 or larger and you should check the Bold command. For information if you choose the font size of 20, this is equivalent with 20 mm height.
- In the 2nd step you must save this Drawing as type .dwg. To do this step, go to File -> Save As … It`s very important to save under this type.
- In the 3rd step you must Open an existent Part that you want to be engraved or embossed. After that Open the file saved in step 2, copy the Main View from Drawing Tree and paste it into a Geometrical set in your Part. If you can see anything after Paste command, go to View -> Fit In All.
- Now we have the Part and the text. If the position of the text isn’t good, you can use the Translate function or the Compass.
- To make the last step you must choose the either the Pad or the Pocket command to obtain either the embossed part or the engraved one.
This is only a simple trick; you can type even on spherical or complex surfaces using the command Pad and modify the Type of Dimension (e.g. up to surface). Just use your imagination!
If you need help don’t hesitate to use the comment section.
If you want smooth curves I recommend using Text Sketcher (https://textsketcher.com/). It’s a $39 plug-in for CATIA V5.
If you want smooth curves, and associativity, and a Dassault Certified Partner for CAA V5 and 3DEXPERIENCE plateforms, I would recommend TYPE3-CAA: http://www.type3.us/type3caa.html
Text Sketcher is $39, how much is Type3?
Cheaper than CATIA… :o) if you are serious about doing texts and keeping them associative within your CATparts, a $39 executable macro developed years ago by a student for his end of year project will not get you very far. The product by the way is named TYPE3-CAA, not just Type3. Type3 is the Software division of Gravotech Group (http://www.gravotech.com). Gravotech group is since 2003 a Software partner of Dassault System for the CAA V5 platform and the 3DEXPERIENCE. They offer a 30 days free trial so you can test their full package: advanced text mode, vectorization of pictures, projection and mapping on any surface and even a Gateway between TYPE EDIT/ LASERTYPE/GRAVOSTYLE/3DESIGN/3SHAPER (their main CAD/CAM programs) and CATIA V5 and 3DE for those in needs of more artistic tools to build more detailed 3D models.
Hi, there.
I didn’t succeed to do the engraving following this instructions.
Might my license be “simple”? Or, do I have to set up something else before start this instructions?
Thanks for the tips
Rodolfo
You didn’t answer my question. How much is it?
this should be soooo simple… Like in Inventor or Solidworks 🙁