Shade 10 Bevel

Bevel Overview

The Bevel plug-in performs the extrude operation for a line object, supporting the following features and options. Using Face Camera.

Setting Bevel Attributes

Modifies the extrude and bevel parameters and resets them for the created extruded objects.

Saving/Reading Bevel Profile

Saves / reads the Bevel lines as a Bevel Profile file. This file can also be used with the Bevel function of TextEffector.

Saving the Attribute Settings

The extrude and bevel parameters are saved as custom information in the shape data file. This shape data file with the custom information can be used across platforms.

Extrude

This is the same as Extrude in the solid tool. You can enter a numerical value for the extruded distance. The created object is an extruded object.

Perpendicular

For a line object, this will force the extrusion to be perpendicular to the plane of the line object. The distance of the extrusion can be specified by entering numeric values. An extruded object is produced.

Extrude With Bevel

This function adds bevels to the extrusion. You can optionally set bevel lines. You can enter a numerical value for the extruded distance and force perpendicular extruding, as mentioned above. The created object is a combination of a curved surface and two line objects.

Using the Bevel Plugin

1. Create a line object.

The object can be a closed or open line.

2. Choose Bevel... from the Create tool.

The Bevel plug-in can also be accessed by selecting Tools > Create > Bevel...

To open the contextual menu, right click within the Figure window (Win) or click within the Figure window while holding down the Control key (Mac).

3. Within the Figure window, drag out the direction and distance you want to extrude.

4. The Bevel dialog box is displayed.

Specify options as needed and Click the OK button.

5. The Bevel effects are applied to the object as specified in the Bevel dialog box.

Bevel Reference

Bevel Dialog Box

Extrude Text Box

Shows the distance you dragged in the Figure window. This numerical value can be edited.

Note: If you enter a value, the distance dragged within the Figure window is ignored.

Perpendicular Check Box

Forces the extrusion to be perpendicular to the plane of the selected line object (parallel to the normal).

If this is checked, the direction you dragged in the Figure window only determines which side the object is extruded to. The line object’s plane is determined by the coordinates of its first three anchor points.

Bevel Check Box

Adds bevels to the extrusion.

Set… Button

If you click the Set… button, the Bevel Setting dialog box is displayed, allowing you to modify the bevel lines (For more information on the Bevel Setting dialog box, refer to the section on the TextEffector).

Setting Bevel Attributes

With Bevel, a created extruded object (with or without bevels) includes the parameter settings used for its creation as custom information. These parameter settings can be edited later. This edit operation is called an attribute setting.

How to Set Bevel Attributes

To configure settings, select the entire extruded object created with Bevel.

Then select Set Bevel Attribute from the Custom tool in the Toolbox to display the Set Bevel Attribute dialog.

The settings of parameters in the Set Bevel Attribute dialog box and the Bevel Setting dialog box are the same as those used for the creation of the selected extruded part. You can specify or change these parameter values in the same manner as when you created the extruded object.

After you have changed the parameters, click the OK button. The changes will be reflected in the selected extruded object.

The attributes of extruded objects, with or without bevels, are cross-platform, allowing you to configure them on different platforms.

Important Notes on the Bevel Plugin

About the Drawing Order of Line Object

Some line objects will result in a reverse bevel. The Bevel plug-in assumes that the line object was created counterclockwise.

If the bevel is reversed, try again, but switch on the Flip Direction check box in the Bevel Setting dialog box, or apply Reverse from the Modify tool to the original line object.

Setting Bevel Lines

Bevel lines can be defined as curves. This setting is performed in the Bevel Setting dialog box. For more information on the Bevel Setting dialog box, refer to the section on the TextEffector.

Bevel Profile Files

The “Bevel Profiles” folder contains 27 Bevel Profile files, which can be loaded as bevel line data. This folder is located in the TextEffector folder in the Shade plugin folder. The Bevel Profile files can be loaded using the Open button in the Bevel Setting dialog box. |