Rounded Top Lettering

[SandBuoy]

I am working on a project where I want to use seperate rounded top letters. My plan is to carve each of letters out either seperately or in a group because of their size. I plan on the letters being about 6"-7" tall. Then I will paint them before applying them to the board, glue, pinnail and fill in the holes. After their attached I will touch up the filled area with the paint.

I tried making the letters to size and using a large draft. But I would really like to have rounded or arched top on them without having to sand them round. Anyway know of a way to accomplished this or if their is a font out there that has this type of style?

[roughcut]

Do 1 letter at a time and choose a dome surfface on each letter

[SandBuoy]

Will try that. Is there a way to dome both side to side and top to bottom

[roughcut]

maybe double dome or double down

[roughcut]

There is a lot of free fonts on line I searched and the first one to catch my eye was http://www.fontmagic.com/categories/download-round-fonts.php
try it or just search the net for free fonts

[mtylerfl]

There is a lot of free fonts on line I searched and the first one to catch my eye was http://www.fontmagic.com/categories/download-round-fonts.php
try it or just search the net for free fonts

Those fonts will carve flat just like any other font. On-screen they may look rounded over, but the machine doesn't see it the way we do.

The best way to get a true dimensional rounded-over letter is to model the letters in a 3D program... or you could "simulate" a fairly decent roundover with gradients and blurs in PhotoShop... or if you have CorelDraw, use the Contour Tool as outlined in Jon Jantz's excellent tutorial videos (both the Address Sign and the CorelDraw Digitising videos) (http://www.allcw.com/Tutorials.html) to get the roundover (or dimensional bevel effect) for carving.

Jon posted a photo of some beveled letters he designed in Corel and cut out. Here is the link..
http://www.allcw.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=160

[roughcut]

I gusee that goes to show you don't always get what you see . A good set of fonts designed for the CW would probably sell good in the pattern dept..:-D

[bjbethke]

I use Photoshop to make 3D letters. I use a Layer Styles Plug in for my Adobe Photoshop CS2.

[SandBuoy]

Thanks for all the help folks. Even if the fonts don't carve rounded their still a great source to have on file.

BJ, I use PS7 for almost all my work. I used to do logos and buttons for webpages on Sierra gaming sites. Been about 8 years since I did that stuff but I imagine I could play with the program again and get some rounded style lettering done. if you don't mind helping me get started on these please Pm me.

[Ike]

I wonder if using a plunge cutting decorative bit work? Tell the machine it is a V60 and use the bit that will round the edges. Price Cutters have them and state they are great for sign making. Go to www.pricecutter.com and to router bits then to the edge forming bits.

Ike

[www.go3d.us]

How about this?
Is it close to what you are looking for?

[SandBuoy]

Ht thats pretty close to what I am looking for. The straight letter would work better for me but a little thicker. Its for a construction now in progress sign I am working on. Been thinking about a heavy rounded lettering painted with a bright yellow paint to catch the eye on passer bys. I will email you with a little better detail.

[www.go3d.us]

I might add a few sets of rounded text to my online store if there are enough people interested.

HT

[roughcut]

I think that would be great to have a set of letters that were designed for the CW please inform me if you do ...

[Audie]

I think that would be great to have a set of letters that were designed for the CW please inform me if you do ...

I am interested as well!

[Kenm810]

Here's just an idea,

I typed some Text, took a photo of it and added a little Blur in a graphics program.
Then saved it as a png file to load into my CW Designer. To make it a little more rounded, add a little more Blur
If you only need a few lines of text for a Plaque or sign, this might work for you. http://www.carvewright.com/forum/images/icons/icon11.gif

[mtylerfl]

I think they want the letters to be rounded over on the top of the letters - a snap to do in ArtCAM - takes about 15 seconds to create the letter model. (Then it takes several minutes to convert to a CarveWright ptn. I'd hate to have to do the entire alphabet and all the symbols - kind of a time-consuming chore.)

[SandBuoy]

Okay we're on to something here. I like the heaviest of Ken's lettering and the round top of Michael's round top.

Ken, how do you think those would looked cut out. I plan on cutting a lot of the lettering out and then applying it to the sign. Some will be carved over lily pads. I plan on carving the lily pads and the letters out in one section. The painting the lily pads and lettering then applying them to the sign.

Might be trying to do to much with this stuff but my imagination always seems to run wild and sometimes overboard.

[mtylerfl]

Hi Sandbouy,

It's just a different font style (Cooper font). I made a rounded-over model using that font so you could see what I mean...

[Kenm810]

I think any heavy font you pick like Michael T's style or mine will cave well,
If you use a bold text add limit your board thickness to suit your sign back you should be fine.
Experimenting is all part of the fun and games. http://www.carvewright.com/forum/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif

Ps. We'll be looking forward to the Photos