Jagged Edge 2000

[Steven]

I am having a problem with jagged text in ArtCAM 2017. I've tried looking up about how to make the text smooth on other forums, but am not really finding a solution that works. I am new to ArtCAM because my employer recently bought it and I am supposed to make a sign with text for my workplace. However, the few test letters we manufactured look similar to the images I've attached.

The text I'm using is a combination of imported text from AutoCAD and ArtCAM's text tool. I've been trying to use the Shape Editor to extrude the text, but is that not the best way to do that? Both round, square, and planar extrusions look choppy. Increasing the resolution slightly smooths it, but it still has noticeable jagged edges. When I import text from the Relief Clipart Library, it also looks jagged.

We've been using the default settings for everything (such as stepdown, stepover, tolerance, etc.), so should we trying some of those to see if it helps? The choppy appearance is there even before we apply machining, though. In case it helps, the tools we currently have available to us are 3/8" and 1/2" endmills and 1/8", 1/4", and 3/8" ball noses.

Should I just use the Smooth Relief tool, or is there a better way? I have to smooth it a lot to get it to look okay. My 3rd attached image was smoothed around 4 times, but it takes more than that for it to look decent. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Is the 3D text shown in your supplied screenshots created in Autodesk ArtCAM Standard 2017 from imported 2D vector artwork originating from AutoCAD? If so, please attach the vector artwork file when replying to this post so that I can test for improved results on your behalf in Autodesk ArtCAM Standard 2017 (64-bit build 110).

My resolution is as high as it'll go. I tried to reapply it to be the maximum resolution, but it is a strange number instead of 2000 square like dillon.moulder said it should be. I've tried smoothing it with the Smooth Relief tool, so I am able to do the first half of your recommendation. What do you mean by zeroing the outside of the vector? Could you please explain how to do that?

The CWWC text is hand-drawn. The text below was imported to AutoCAD from BiesseWorks. In the past, we produced a wooden logo using the bottom text and it isn't choppy. (I just copied the text from the old dwg, so it is literally the same text.) We didn't use ArtCAM for to make that sign, though.

To send the files to ArtCAM, I deleted the layouts that you use for printing and purged everything. Then, I saved it as a 2007 dxf since I read on another forum that the older dxfs work better than the newer ones.

3d logo:
I extruded the text in AutoCAD and then converted it to a 3D solid. I put instructions on how I did that in the attachment. Then, I exported it as a dxf like I usually do, and then imported it to ArtCAM with Relief > Import > Import 3D Model... I put a couple of pictures of what the logo looked like before I pasted it into ArtCAM (it was smooth) and then the after of it being jagged.

I appreciate that you took the time to try to help even though something weird is happening. I had read in another forum to offset the text but didn't know what to do after that, so I'm happy that you helped me learn what to do with it.

If you are doing small fonts then shape editor is the way to go but if your letters are over say an inch in any way and maybe like 1/2 an inch thick why don't you try using the toolpath to follow the vectors, in the toolpath you can set the height, and you might get a better finish, aaahhh that's if they are a blocked height. but you can also round them with a pointed round over bit, I have done this and they do come out rather beautiful.

Thanks for the suggestion. I was trying out your method for a short time today and it is working for the bigger letters. I had to do other things for the majority of my work day, so I will update tomorrow with the results and a couple questions about your process.

To answer your question, the big letters on the sign range from 18" tall and 15" to 26" wide. The small letters' range from 1" to 3" wide and 2" to 3.5" tall. The big letters look good when I finally realized I could turn the Simulation Relief Resolution to 100 ppi. I'm still not sure why the default 3D view looks bad, though.

I am planning on cutting some letters tomorrow to make sure they aren't choppy, so I'm really grateful for your help so far. The one thing I'm having trouble with the small letters. When I used the Shape Editor for the small letters, they are looking more like shriveled raisins than block letters. Anyway, I'll keep trying to get this right.

I kept retrying to make the text in different ways today with no luck. The Toolpath method seemed to work fine yesterday, but I can't duplicate the smooth result now. I'm going to try to contact Autodesk support because I'm not sure if this is a graphical/computer specification issue or something else. Thanks for trying to help, everyone.

The first is resolution.
The 2000x2000 resolution (of variation of for a rectangular part) in ArtCAM Standard is great in most cases. However 2000 spread over a 4x8 sheet does not leave much detail pixel wise for such small text. Imagine 2000 pixels over a 24" model edge vs 2000 over 96" length, the 24" model has much smaller pixel fit over the area and therefor better detail.

A better practice is to create a model the size of the area you are working with. So in your case, I would start with a 3'x2' model which covers the logo size. This will generate a better resolution within the smaller area.

The second is type of 3D model vs machining.
If the 3D model is just flat areas, you are much better off to simply machine the vectors using 2D toolpaths. This creates very clean toolpath (2D toolpaths do not use the resolution). You would use the 2D area clearance to machine away the background.

For your design I would use option 2 with a 2D toolpath instead of a 3D model.

Thanks for suggesting to use the area clearance tools vs the relief machining ones. I've been practicing and the text is turning out better. I've been using the machine relief for the texture behind the text and using profile toolpaths for the text.

It makes sense to work on a smaller scale for the letters, so I appreciate you clarifying that. However, one of the example files I provided had small text in the middle of the 4' x 8' work area because other details were supposed to go with it. I made a relief that looks like the end grain of a stump and it stretches out to mostly fill the work area. There was supposed to be a pattern behind the stump, too. I didn't want to add that to the files I posted because I thought it would make the text problem more complicated.

I'm not sure what to do about the resolution problem for projects up to 4' x 8' in size. My company bought ArtCAM intending to make large decorative wall panels, so having the resolution limitations in ArtCAM Standard is troubling. I now see that ArtCAM Premium can create higher resolutions, so it would probably be able to handle these projects better.

So even if I make clip art of the text on a small scale and then import it to the 4' x 8' stump design, the text would turn out jagged? Maybe I can try to divide the final design into smaller parts/iso files so the file size is smaller and the details would turn out better.

If your 4x8 job is not covered entirely in relief, only work within the size you need for the 3D section. However, in cases like this where it is covered with 3D relief design, you will be best to design and machine in sections. Try doing it quarters, so four 2x4 sections. This will better hold the design with the 2000 resolution held within that size instead of stretched over 4x8.

Thanks for confirming about the tile size. I have tried out splitting panels into smaller tiles and it has been helpful for big wall panels. Our CNC machine program freezes when we import large ISO files, so tiles that are 24" x 24"to 12" x 12" are small enough for it to handle.

I think everyone's suggestions have really helped with the problems I was having, but I just chose one as the solution since I was confused about the resolution. Thanks again for helping--I feel like my case was thoroughly solved.

I have been trying to reid of these jagged edges for 2 days now and nothing I do seems to work, I have used both Adaptive and qmc, iVe tried Catmull, Area, Blacken, and Mitchell, Ive taken my samples from 2/8, 8/16, 1/100, ive checked sub-pixel mapping, clamp output,Ive even taken my shadow subd. up to 24 nothing i do seems to work, I could really use some help on this please

This is completely an antialiasing issue, not a vray issue. If you were to go into photoshop and cut a black diamond shape selection out of a white background, you will notice this same effect, even when using antialiasing. It is the image's inability to define the transition from one extreme color to another over such as small number of pixels. The only thing that can remove this, is blurring of the pixels in question. The only thing that really controls this directly is antialiasing. Unfortunately, every image is going to have this effect, though often not as stark as yours. As an example of how this works, try moving the camera ever so slightly in any direction and i'll bet you'll get the same effect, but in completely different areas of the scene that currently don't show it so much now. Really the only thing you can do is supersample, and the best way i can suggest (as Rick elluded to), is to render high res and convert down. And before doing so, i would definitely switch to the area filter (if rendering 1000+pixels) and even the video filter (if rendering at 2000+). These filters will blur the pixels before the image gets converted down, but when the image is converted down, you wont even notice this blurring...it will look at sharp as Catmull-Rom does at low res.

I just wanted to say thanks guys for all your help, the hi-res thing worked, there was still a little bit of jaggedness in it, but once i resized it, it looked perfect, here is an image of the hi-res incase you were interested. thanks again

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