nagaText Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Please select a category
nagaText Features
How
do I install nagaText?
Please see the
nagaText Installation information.
How
do I load nagaText?
Please see the
nagaText Loading Instructions.
What
is the difference between "smooth" and "segmented" text?
Smooth refers to text
that incorporates bspline segments to create an accurate representation of
the typeface. Segmented text approximates curves by breaking up the
curve definition into many small linear segments. Generally, using the
smooth text option is better because the bspline representation is more
accurate, and requires significantly less memory (RAM) and storage (hard
disk space). The bspline representation also works more successfully
with CNC machining tools.
Is
nagaText practical? Isn't putting text on my designs prohibitively
expensive?
Actually, new
developments in the industry have made text generation quite practical and
easy. Of course the text can be machined into a part. But a
potentially better route is through the use of lasers. Many laser
engraving tools are now available that can create text and symbols in a wide
variety of materials (stainless steel, aluminum, hardened tool steel,
tungsten carbide, etc). The process is very fast, and can create all
shapes and sizes of text and symbols.
If
"smooth" text is more accurate, less memory intensive, and more
manufacturable, why would I ever want to use "segmented" text.
There is one scenario
that can require segmenting text, it is if you need to taper the text.
The OneSpace Designer modeler does not always succeed when you try to taper
the complex bspline characters. So using segmented text is an
alternative that allows the text to be tapered more easily. This is
especially important to the injection molding industry.
What fonts are available in nagaText?
It is important to note
that nagaText does not distribute copyrighted font material. The default
nagaText installation is capable of using many of the True Type and Open
Type fonts that reside on your machine. It only allows you to use
fonts that you own and that exist on your workstation.
You can use additional True Type and Open Type fonts that you own, but nagaText requires additional information in combination with the existing font files on your machine
To use additional fonts that reside on your workstation, you must load the corresponding nagaText font information file. Each of these files contains extra information about the font shapes. They are necessary because fonts files often do not contain enough precision and information to create a "CAD quality" representations of the fonts. Other CAD packages get around this problem by creating rough approximations of the font using line segments, creating a rough segmented appearance. At Naga Software, we have developed software tools that can interrogate the information in the font file and create the additional information (and precision) to create a font definition that is suitable for use in OneSpace Designer. nagaText can create the actual smooth bspline font representation that the font file intends.
nagaText uses the existing font files (.ttf) on your workstation in combination with the additional information files (.dll) that are supplied on your nagaText CD (or can be downloaded from the nagasoftware FTP site by clicking here). Almost all True Type and Open Type fonts will work with nagaText, if you have the corresponding additional font file. If you own a font that does not have a corresponding nagaTool additional font file (.dll), an additional font file can be created for you by Naga Software. Please contact Naga Software for details.
It should be noted that nagaText cannot create text using a font that you do not own (and isn't on your workstation). It requires the information in the .ttf file to create the text. The nagaText additional font file contains supplementary information to the .ttf file, it is not capable of replacing the .ttf file. Because of this, nagaText fully complies with the copyright laws that govern the use of the .ttf font files.
nagaText Features
How do I change the text string, size, color, spacing, etc.
of a nagaText feature?
Modifying text feature attributes is easy with nagaText. Just select
"Feat Utilities" and then "Modify Feat". Then select the feature you
want to modify. The original dialogue that was used to create the
feature will become visible, and you can modify the definition information
as you wish.
Copyright 2002-2003 Naga Software Company.