detail lost during STEP conversion

[kenny147]

Have a new issue with rendering module and step file conversion!!!

when I apply a particular material to my model and save it as a package, this is fine regarding viewing the newly applied material.

To be specific it is a decal of a jpeg image that comprises of text.

The problem is when I save as a step file the material cant be viewed, you can see something is there as it is different to the rest of the model but as it is a decal image it needs to be just like the cocreate package in order to be legible!!

Something is lost when it is converted over to STEP

any ideas guys???

[Friedly]

That's not nice but normal.
Decals are not saved with the pkg just the info where to find it.
If you send your pkg file to someone else who does not have the same jpeg image in his rendering he will not be able to see it.
This behavior has already filed as proposal for improvement in PTC and the FOR FUTURE CONSIDERATION gives hope for the native modeling formats. Whether you can export a decal in a step is unlikely.

[kenny147]

Thanks for the help

Can i be cheeky and pick your brains further

So if i wanted to place text onto dummy CAD models and keep file size down ( in KB not MB) how do i go about this?

Tried two things so far but to no avail

1st was extruding the text out and saving as a part, then subtracting the text from the dummy model.. this put the file size right up however.

2nd was the decal route which you kindly pointed out will never work.

Require step models with text on them in the file size range that's in the KB.

Any ideas?

Regards

[Friedly]

Originally Posted by kenny147

1st was extruding the text out and saving as a part, then subtracting the text from the dummy model..

You can also mill the text directly into the part.

You can even try it with "Imprint edges linear"
and then colorize the areas so that they are visible.
Select a font with less facets
This reduces the volume.


Why the step must be small ?
Can you compress it with .Zip ?
What version of modeling do you use ?

[kenny147]

Thanks for the swift response.

Currently using 2008

the step files need to be of a relatively low memory as there is a whole catalogue of product that is going to be dumped on company website, ready for people to view / download..

I was unaware of the imprint edges feature, i am in and out of the office and never get long enough to play around with it..hence my late replies to your messages.

Will give this a go though and keep you posted

again thank you for your help

Regards

[kenny147]

Imprint edges linear has done the trick

File size prior to this as package was roughly 400 kb

after you perform the above and save as step i'm looking at roughly 800 kb which is what i needed.

seems like as i'm not removing material from the model this has dramatically kept the file size down, even when colourising the text.

Cheers for your help bud