Step 4: Rings: Step 3: Text
We are now going to add the text onto the surface of the ring. Because we need to make multiple rings, we are going to use parameters to allow us to quickly change the text on the ring.
Step 1: Create a work plane that is offset from the outer surface of the ring in the XZ plane (I spaced mine off two inches, so I could still see the ring without interference.)
Step 2: Create a new sketch on that plane.
Step 3: Using the text tool, type the alphabet, inserting a space in between every letter. Center justify the text to make it look neat.
Step 4: This is where you get to explore a bit. Choose your font, and measure from letter A, to letter Z. This is a critical dimension, because it wants to be as close to the circumference as possible. I added an A after the Z, and then measured from the top of the first A to the top of the second. From there, I adjusted the font size until that measured dimension matched my circumference.
Step 5: Alignment. We now need to space the text equally from both sides. Create a center line on the top surface of the ring. Apply a vertical constraint from the top of the A (there should be a snap point available there) and the center line. This will allow the text to slide freely up and down that line, allowing us to create different combinations.
Step 6: Parameters. The first parameter that we need to define is the total font size. Measure from the top of the A to the top of the B. This is a critical dimension, because we will be using it to create an equation to define the letter. The second parameter is the letter number. This defines what letter is going to be used as the combination (ex. A is 1, Z is 26). For the moment, define it as 1. This should make A the correct character.
Step 7: Constrain. First, we need to get a point to constrain to. Project the center line used to create the revolve (you might need to use a work axis through the center of the ring). Then, create a line and dimension it so the distance to the projected center is one half the Font Size dimension (you can use the equation FontSize*.5 to achieve this). Once that is in place, you can move on to actually constraining the text. First, create a dimension from the top of the A (again using the snap point) and the line that you just created. Then, we need to use the CharacterNumber parameter that we defined, and the font size to create the equation. The equation is (CharacterNumber-1)*FontSize. The reason it is CharacterNumber-1 is because we want A to equal 1. Without that -1, the text would be off by one character. This equation allows us to change the CharacterNumber parameter and easily change the password text.
Step 8: We are now going to emboss the text into the surface of the letters. Exit the sketch, and using the Emboss tool, select the text. Apply the Wrap to Face option, and select the outside face of the ring. This will now wrap the text around the ring. I used a depth of .07", to give it an easy to read surface, but still give the ring some strength.
Step 1: Create a work plane that is offset from the outer surface of the ring in the XZ plane (I spaced mine off two inches, so I could still see the ring without interference.)
Step 2: Create a new sketch on that plane.
Step 3: Using the text tool, type the alphabet, inserting a space in between every letter. Center justify the text to make it look neat.
Step 4: This is where you get to explore a bit. Choose your font, and measure from letter A, to letter Z. This is a critical dimension, because it wants to be as close to the circumference as possible. I added an A after the Z, and then measured from the top of the first A to the top of the second. From there, I adjusted the font size until that measured dimension matched my circumference.
Step 5: Alignment. We now need to space the text equally from both sides. Create a center line on the top surface of the ring. Apply a vertical constraint from the top of the A (there should be a snap point available there) and the center line. This will allow the text to slide freely up and down that line, allowing us to create different combinations.
Step 6: Parameters. The first parameter that we need to define is the total font size. Measure from the top of the A to the top of the B. This is a critical dimension, because we will be using it to create an equation to define the letter. The second parameter is the letter number. This defines what letter is going to be used as the combination (ex. A is 1, Z is 26). For the moment, define it as 1. This should make A the correct character.
Step 7: Constrain. First, we need to get a point to constrain to. Project the center line used to create the revolve (you might need to use a work axis through the center of the ring). Then, create a line and dimension it so the distance to the projected center is one half the Font Size dimension (you can use the equation FontSize*.5 to achieve this). Once that is in place, you can move on to actually constraining the text. First, create a dimension from the top of the A (again using the snap point) and the line that you just created. Then, we need to use the CharacterNumber parameter that we defined, and the font size to create the equation. The equation is (CharacterNumber-1)*FontSize. The reason it is CharacterNumber-1 is because we want A to equal 1. Without that -1, the text would be off by one character. This equation allows us to change the CharacterNumber parameter and easily change the password text.
Step 8: We are now going to emboss the text into the surface of the letters. Exit the sketch, and using the Emboss tool, select the text. Apply the Wrap to Face option, and select the outside face of the ring. This will now wrap the text around the ring. I used a depth of .07", to give it an easy to read surface, but still give the ring some strength.
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