Adding fonts or other elements to a 3-D carve

i searched and couldn’t find an existing topic with this question, so here goes.

Making my first foray into 3-D (2.5-D actually), and like everything, its a learning curve that is punching me in the face. After much failure, I decided to step backward and just buy a proven design and import it and at least give a carve a go. Had trouble getting it unzipped and had to take my computer to a programmer friend to get it done, but finally got it in easel.

Watched, rewatched, and rewatched again the Inventables YouTube on 3-D (2.5-D) carving. A very good video I might add - I REALLY, REALLY wish someone would do one for V-carve inlays using Easel.

I successfully made the necessary adjustments in Easel, and made the carve, It came out PERFECTLY. My first success on a first try - EVER using Easel and X-Carve Pro.

Now I want to use that design to make a product for sale, but am at a complete loss as to how to use a SVG design as part of a project. By that I mean that once I import the SVG, all of the elements of Easel (those on the left hand side menu) disappear. I’m talking about the option for the line tool, adding font, shapes, etc…

is there a way to get the Easel features back when using an SVG?

if it helps to better visualize what I’m trying to do, Imagine making a jewelry box, and importing a 2.5-D SVG of a rose for the lid of the box. Now wanting to engrave or inlay a poem in the lid, or perhaps the name of the person on the box. I need those tools, but they disappear. Can I get those tools back???

May not be want you want to hear, but the easy solution is to just create a new workpiece and use that one for the non-3D carving. As long as you don’t change your X/Y position, you can use that for the next carve to keep things lined up.

I generally use multiple workpieces for anything too complex for 2 bits. It’s easier to just run the cut in several stages this way. For example, I’ve used this technique with a box bit to add an inside curve for custom handles. The first pass was handled on a second work piece with a normal 1/4" mill, then the box bit cut added in a second workpiece but lined up with the correct spot from the first workpiece.

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Thanks Phil,

not a problem at all. I use multiple workpices all of the time. Unless and until Inventables gets to adding more than two bits as well as the option to dictate which bit carves what, that is just our reality.

Here is my problem though; The design page looks VERY VERY different from a normal Easel design page. For instance, once I duplicate the workpage, it is impossible to highlight the piece so as to delete it. It only allows me to move it around. The left side tool bar does not exist. Just a completely diffrent experiance once I move that SVG into Easel.

With this said, I am ‘new’ to CNC and Easel (year and a half total), and BRAND new to 2.5-D carving. As mentioned, the carve came out well, which is exciting. But it’s largely useless to me if I cannot use the carve as part of a project. As such, it is important to note that I admit that I am ‘clueless’. Just because I said that I cannot do these things, does not mean that they cannot be done, only that I have no idea how.

So if I am missing something as to how to get the Easel tools to show back up for my project, PLEASE point the way. I’m lost and frustrated.

I’ve been searching the internet for video instructions, but have found nothing, and Inventables does not offer up classes to help ‘lost boys’ like me.

All my best,

Joe

Yeah, I hear you. The 3D carving portion of Easel is basically a different program, so there’s no way to get the tools you want by duplicating the project.

You basically have to set up the carves separately—one as a 3D carve, and one as a standard shape-based carving. Aligning could definitely be difficult.

That being said, I haven’t actually used the 3D carver yet, though I hope to soon (for a similar reason as your description).

Good luck!

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Thanks Phil,

others have said that all of this should be done in a different software program and then imported to Easel. I’ll be honest, I’m exhausted by the prospect. Such is life. Had I known all of the limitations with Easel, and Inventables, I might have chosen to go a different route. Such is life. the journey continues.

I do appreciate you - and this group however - very helpful.

Yeah, Easel is pretty limiting. However, for me personally, I’ve always tried to design in another program for all of my “robots”.

I don’t like being beholden to one company for my work. If Easel’s price goes up drastically, or stops working, I know there are other solutions so I can continue using the machine.

I use the same philosophy for my laser engravers, vinyl cutter, and 3D printers. I keep the most important design elements in something like Illustrator, so if I ever switch brands, I don’t have to start from scratch.

Easel makes this a lot harder than others, though, since importing and exporting is quite limited.

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I hear ya, and completely understand.

I’m a woodworker trying to enter the digital world. I find that most users are computer guys with software experience trying to enter the woodworking world.
It seems - and I realize that this is bias speaking - that it (CNC - or at least for this company) is geared for those who understand software programs more than they do woodworking, not so much for us analog guys who understand woodworking and less about computers and software programs.
For me, I need to be able to mass produce product to stay competitive. I can do many of the tasks that I do in the CNC as quickly with a hand plane or chisels and a mallet, but that’s for one-off’s and custom work where there are higher margins. I can’t stay competitive doing work by hand while others can mass produce and under-price me, and saw the hype of CNC as giving me the capability for production work to stay competitive.

I know that is still possible, its just the thought of working all day, AND having problem after problem with the software and the machine, and then find the time to give the attention to learn different software programs… just seems that there is not enough hours in the day. This (CNC) didn’t exist when I was in school, so I couldn’t learn it all when I was living without the cares and expenses that accompany us in the later years.

Said it before, I’ll say it again (just in case anyone from Inventables stumbles upon this), Many of Inventables competition invest in their customers with classes and software support. I get invitations to weekly classes from Shaper (I had considered that product instead of the X-Carve Pro when making the decision to go full-time and add CNC production in my shop). There are no such classes with Inventables.

Not complaining mind you, I embrace lifelong learning, its just that I feel like I’m trying to learn calculus with neither a professor nor a textbook. But alas, such is life in the digital age.

Well, back to work. Its all good, I’ll muddle through somehow.

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