Ability to profile text objects (engraving)

[GoogleCodeExporter]

It would be cool to be able to add text objects and then select them and
add an operation for engraving. 

Perhaps it would be possible to write a plugin that uses the TrueType Tracer.

http://timeguy.com/cradek/truetype 

Original issue reported on code.google.com by shopinth...@gmail.com on 19 Jun 2009 at 2:43

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Dan,
  I like this idea as well.  I don't know anything about fonts but I'm willing to
learn.  I can see that the FreeType library has lots of good examples of using 
the
fonts API so there should be no need to use the GPL'ed code that makes up the
TrueType utility.

  I should explain.  The TrueType utility is an example of a program written to use
the FreeType library to render some TrueType fonts.  The TrueType utility has 
been
released using the GPL but the FreeType library has other license options.

  Before I go to all the trouble of understanding the FreeType API and the
corresponding fonts, I need to know if you're happy to include this in the
HeeksCAD/CNC project(s).

  You can view the license information at http://freetype.sourceforge.net/license.html

  I'm not very good with licenses so I hope you don't mind me asking you this.  As I
said, I don't want to spend lots of time studying if the licensing precludes its
inclusion in the HeeksCAD/CNC projects(s).

  Of course, I might find it too complex to get my head around.  We'll see.

  Thanks
  David Nicholls

Original comment by David.Ni...@gmail.com on 25 Jun 2009 at 9:13

[GoogleCodeExporter]

David,
Personally, I am happy drawing text in Inkscape and then importing it into 
HeeksCNC.
But, I agree it would be nicer to do text in HeeksCNC.

If you want to have text in HeeksCNC, using GPL code, the best thing would be 
to make
a plugin to HeeksCAD. This would be a separate project. I would be happy to 
include
it in the HeeksCNC installation, along with the other GPL code that is already
released with the HeeksCNC installation. To make a HeeksCAD plugin project try
copying this plugin project, http://code.google.com/p/heeksart/

Dan.

Original comment by danhe...@gmail.com on 25 Jun 2009 at 9:50

[GoogleCodeExporter]

This would be a great Idea...
Over 50% off my Time  I do Engravings ;)
My Proposal/Idea:
One idea would be the inclusion of (Qcad) cxf fonts.
The advantage would be the use of the oneliner fonts from Qcad...
Often I use Qcad for Text Engravings because the oneliners are very nice !

A god Example for Python:
http://wiki.linuxcnc.org/cgi-bin/emcinfo.pl?Simple_EMC_G-Code_Generators
It's just an idea, I do not know the license situation ...

Original comment by aachen.h...@googlemail.com on 25 Jun 2009 at 11:06

[GoogleCodeExporter]

It's all about the license.  I will have a look into the CXF fonts you 
mentioned but,
if they're GPL then we're out of luck.  I don't wish to create another plugin 
as I
would want the font information available and useful to the HeeksCNC project.  
I also
don't wish to keep a web server available to house the source.

I will let you know.

Original comment by David.Ni...@gmail.com on 25 Jun 2009 at 12:07

[GoogleCodeExporter]

I've added support for the CXF fonts that are delivered with QCAD.  Text that is
placed with these fonts will have an extra option beneath the right mouse 
button menu
called 'Make a Sketch'.

The resultant sketch will have a title that matches the text it represents and 
can be
used, along with a cutting tool, to engrave via a profile operation.

Have a play with today's copy of HeeksCAD (from SVN) as I've just fixed some 
stuff
with the fonts.  I believe they're pretty close to right now.

Original comment by David.Ni...@gmail.com on 11 Sep 2009 at 8:55

• Changed state: Fixed