Engraving True Type Fonts

Cutter size

Before we talk about True Type fonts and engraving them, lets talk a little about suggesting the proper cutter size.  The cutter size option in the Toolkit  will display a recommended size of cutter for the selected object.  The suggested value is one that was determined and designed during the construction of the font and adjusts properly as the size or scale is adjusted.  Using the appropriate cutter size is necessary to achieve proper engraving results (the engraved objects look correct when actually engraved on the material; not too "thick", not too "thin").  This value is also user adjustable.

To Create or Modify a Cutter Size:

• Select the object

• Select 'Cutter Size' in the Toolkit.

• Type in a new cutter size (text will be entered on the status bar)

To make the cutter size permanent for that job, re-Save the job.  Fonts (or Logos) that do not display a Cutter Size (actually display 0.000)

Some of the Xenetech fonts were NOT designed with a specific sized cutter in mind.  For example, a two line font such as Helvetica 2 Line was designed as a cut out font using a profile cutter.  This particular font as well as most other 2 line fonts will display a cutter suggestion of 0.000, this is normal.  Also, logos unless specifically designed with a cutter suggestion will also display a value of 0.000.  The Cutter Size field in the Toolkit is user adjustable and will allow user input of assigning or modifying cutter suggestions to lines of text or logos.  Cutter Sizes, when modified, will save with the job for future reference (using Save or Save As).

True Type Fonts and Cutter Size

True Type fonts, because of their design intent (word processors, printing etc.), are not "engraver-ready", initially.  This is easily resolved by assigning a cutter size.  When choosing a cutter size use the following criteria to give you an idea of "where to start" on your selection:

• letter height of the characters

• the type of font (serif or non-serif - does it look like a Roman or Helvetica style font?)

• after choosing a cutter size, does the outline offset so much as to overlap itself

The idea here is to find a Xenetech font similar in style to that of the True Type font.  For example, the True Type Font Arial Bold when hatch filled, is similar to both Helvetica 3 and 6 Line in overall appearance.  Helvetica 3 Line at a one inch letter height has a prescribed cutter size of 0.075 inches.  One inch high Helvetica 6 Line calls for a 0.045 cutter.  Both cutter sizes are acceptable choices when applied to the True Type font Arial Bold.  Using the 0.075 inch cutter, because of its larger size, will be more time efficient when engraving.  Although the 0.045 inch cutter will take longer to engraver the characters, the corners of the characters will be slightly "sharper" (not as rounded), due to the smaller tip size.

Other Uses of Cutter Size

When used in conjunction with Normal Line and Wire Frame modes, a character, logo or graphic will be displayed on the screen as it would look engraved with the designated cutter.  This gives you a "preview" of the final engraved product without even having to place a piece of material on your engraving machine.  When using this feature, you may want to zoom in tight on different areas of the object to confirm the overall appearance.  You may find that the object is not filling in completely, requiring a slightly larger cutter, or modification to the hatch fill parameters.  Or, you may find that the object projects too much of a bold image (characters are getting very close to each other due to an oversized cutter).  In both cases, enter a different cutter size and reexamine the object.