How do I create and work with text in VCarve Pro & Aspire: Create Text, Text on a Curve, Convert to Curves, and V-carve prep?

Overview

The software has a full suite of text tools. Create Text makes editable text from any installed font, Text on a Curve wraps a line of text along a vector path, and Convert Text to Curves turns text into standard vector outlines. Text preparation is one of the most common causes of failed or ugly V-carve results, so it pays to get the basics right.

Create Text Tool

1. Open Create Text from the Drawing tab.
2. Click in the 2D view to choose the anchor position.
3. Type your text in the Text box.
4. Set the font, size, alignment and the other styling options. Changes are applied automatically.
5. Close the form when you are done. The text stays editable.

Key text settings

• Font: any font installed on your computer. The Single Line radio button switches the list to engraving fonts that are very quick to engrave.
• Text Alignment: positions text relative to the full body of text, which only matters for multiple lines.
• Anchor: the position of the text block. Type values or click in the 2D view; for existing text, drag the anchor point handle.
• Editing later: if the form is closed, click the text in the 2D view to select it and then open Create Text to change its properties.

Interactive kerning, line spacing and arching are covered in the Text Selection entry. Text in a Box and the @ fonts are covered in the text tools entry.

Text on a Curve

Wraps a single line of text so each character follows the path of a vector. The tool needs exactly one line of text made with the text tool and one vector curve or line. A closed vector can also be used to wrap text around it.

Step-by-step workflow

1. Create a single line of text with Create Text.
2. Draw the curve you want the text to follow (arc, circle, wavy line and so on).
3. Select the text, then Shift-click the curve.
4. Open Text on a Curve from the Drawing tab.
5. Set the options below. The text follows the curve.
6. Drag the anchor point handle in the 2D view to slide the text along the curve.

Key options

Text Size

• Maintain text Size: the text block keeps its size.
• Scale text to fill curve: increases the character size so the text runs the entire length of the curve.

Text Spacing: a slider that increases or decreases the word and character spacing. It starts at 100% each time the form is opened or new text is selected.

Text Position: Above Curve, On Curve or Below Curve, plus Text on other side, and an Offset Distance that moves the text away from the curve by a set amount.

Text Alignment: three options align the text to the left, middle or right of the curve (or, on a closed vector, relative to the Start Node). The characters can also be aligned Align to Curve (each letter turns to stay perpendicular to the curve) or Keep Vertical (letters stay upright and only shift along the curve).

The start node controls text position

When the text lands in the wrong place on a closed curve, the cause is usually the start node:

1. Press N to enter Node Editing on the curve.
2. The green square shows the start node.
3. Right-click a different node and choose Make Start Point (or press P) to move the start. For a change of direction, right-click and choose Reverse Direction.
4. Reopen Text on a Curve. The text repositions relative to the new start.

Editing text already on a curve

• Select only the text object, and the form reopens with its current settings.
• To move it to a different curve, select both the text and the new curve, then open Text on a Curve.
• To remove it from the curve, right-click the text and choose Remove Text From The Curve.
• Text placed on a curve cannot also be arched interactively.

Round badge layout (text on top and bottom)

1. Draw a circle.
2. In Node Editing, add nodes at the left and right edges and cut the circle into a top and a bottom arc at those nodes (Cut Vector).
3. Select the top text and the top arc, open Text on a Curve, and set Above Curve with center alignment.
4. Select the bottom text and the bottom arc, and set Below Curve with center alignment.
5. Adjust the start nodes so each line is centered at the top and bottom.

Alternatively, use the same circle for both lines and use Text on other side for the bottom line.

When the options will not work: common causes

Convert Text to Curves

Converts the selected text object into vector form (lines, arcs and Bezier spans) that can be edited with the Node Editing tools. After conversion the text cannot be edited as text.

Do you need it? In most cases text created in the software can be V-carved, engraved, pocketed, profile machined or used with the 3D modeling functions without converting it. Welding text also works on live text. Some fonts have loops and problems that need fixing with Node Editing before use, and that is when you convert.

Convert when you need to:

• Node-edit individual letters
• Send the artwork to someone who does not have your font
• Offset or fillet individual letter outlines

Warning: keep a backup copy of the unconverted text on a hidden layer. After converting you cannot change the font, spelling or size without redrawing.

V-Carve Text Preparation

Rule 1: Closed vectors

V-carve needs closed vectors. Fonts normally produce closed vectors automatically from Create Text.

Rule 2: Counters (inside loops)

Letters like O, B, D, P and Q have inner loops (counters). These sit as closed vectors inside the outer letter outline and are treated as holes. If you weld text, the internal regions of the characters are preserved, so welding does not fill the counters in.

Rule 3: Convert or leave as text

For simple V-carving you do not need to convert text to curves. Convert only for node editing or the other cases above.

Rule 4: Font choice for V-carving

• Avoid very thin strokes: a V-bit cannot carve narrower than its tip.
• Avoid fonts with very tight internal counters, which the bit may not reach.
• Clean serif and sans-serif fonts with balanced stroke widths are the safest.
• Script fonts can look beautiful V-carved, but their fine strokes call for a fine-tipped V-bit. Test on scrap.