beam designer - Terralec.co.uk

LASER-UK
BEAM DESIGNER
The Beam Designer provides an easy way to design ILDA artwork.
Program Overview
The most prominent feature of the software is the actual area upon which images are
designed and edited, which is referred to as the Drawing Area. Using the mouse pointer and
the Drawing Tools, images are created by drawing on the screen as with a conventional CAD
package.
On the left hand side of the screen is a panel, which contains the most used functions such as
the Drawing and Editing Tools. Along the bottom of the screen is the Status Bar, which
provides information such as the mouse position, total number of coordinates, current frame
number, beam output colour and the drawing mode.
On the right hand side of the screen you have two viewing options, either Frame view or
Editor view - which is where any frame can be viewed from front, top, side or 3D
perspective.
The programme also supplies powerful auto-animation tools; which enable 3D rotations,
translations, zooming and morphing.
Projected Image Quality
The type of scanning system used on the laser projector, largely governs the quality of the image projected.
Closed loop galvanometers reproduce images such as company logos and/or more advance graphics.
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Beam Designer
Main Draw Screen – FRAME VIEW
Left hand panel:
Drawing Tools:
Point Tool
Line Tool
Text Tool
Freehand Tool
Square Tool
Set Colour
Polyline Tool
Ellipse Tool
Move Point
Recolor Point
Rotate Image
Insert Point
Recolor Frame
Cut Select
Delete Point
Resize Image
Copy Select
Mark Selection
Move Image
Paste
Editing Tools:
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Frame Parameters
Increase or Decrease the Dwell factor for a frame; Dwell is also shown
as time. The greater the dwell figure the longer the effect is viewed via
the laser. The time is dependant upon how many coordinates there are
in the frame and the scan speed you have selected.
For example: a frame with 500 coordinates playing at
30K will last 0.0167 seconds if the Dwell is set at 1
(ie. to play frame once). Setting the Dwell to 2 will
increase the play time to 0.033 secs.
Shows time duration of whole scene (total frames
together)
Allows you to click through your created frames.
Main Draw Screen – EDITOR VIEW 3D
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1. File Menu
Start New Scene
This option clears any opened scenes from the Drawing Area & starts a
new scene. If the current scene in the Drawing Area has not been saved
a prompt will appear to ask if you would like to save the current file.
If you do not save the
current scene file, it will
be lost upon starting a new
scene.
Open Frame File
This allows you to select a scene file to open. Files are opened with
those displaying the *.ILD file extension (ILDA Frame Files). When
you click on open frame file, an Open Laser Image File dialog box
appears, select the file you require; to the right of the box a preview
window will have loaded the individual frames relating to your
selected file or scene, this enables you to view the file contents before
opening. You now have two options:
1) you can either select to open the whole scene into the Draw
Application, in which case all frames in the file will be loaded;
2) you can load a single frame into the Draw Application. The frame
is specified by what is currently selected on the preview window.
Append Frame File
Displays a Windows Open File dialog, that allows you to select a scene
file to open and then adds the frames to the end of the current scene
that is currently open; therefore combining two scenes together. As in
Open Frame File, you can preview the file before loading.
Export as an ILDA
File
This command allows you to export your scene as an ILDA file
(*.ILD)
Exit
Quit the BSPC Draw Application programme.
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2. Edit Menu
Undo
Selecting this function will return the image to the state it was prior to
the last action carried out on the Drawing Area.
Insert Point
When this mode is selected, it is possible to insert an additional point
into the image. The point will be added halfway between the currently
selected node, and the previous node. The selected node will appear
highlighted as the mouse moves over it.
Move Point
This option is used to move a single point on the image. The desired
point to move is shown highlighted as the mouse pointer moves over it.
Recolour Point
Use this option to change the selected point to a different colour, the
laser output will only project colours that are available to your
individual lasers’ wavelength. If you have a DPSS laser, no matter
what colour is selected or artwork designed in, the laser will only
output its single colour.
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If the colour you require is not included within the basic colour
selection, click on define custom colours. Another part to the colour
selection screen is now displayed:
Using the cursor, click on the colour you require. On the right hand
side there is a long strip of your colour fading in from white through to
black – this is where you can select the brightness level of your chosen
colour. Click “Add to Custom Colours” and then okay to use your
select colour.
Delete Point
Used to remove a single point from the image. The selected point is
shown as highlighted when the mouse pointer moves over it.
Cut Selection
This tool will cut and clear artwork in the drawing area, either the
entire artwork or selected artwork – see Mark Selection) and hold
ready to paste elsewhere within the same frame or into a new frame
within the same scene.
Copy Selection
This tool will copy artwork from the drawing area, again either the
entire artwork or selected artwork – see Mark Selection) and hold
ready to paste elsewhere within the same frame or into a new frame
within the same scene.
Paste
Use this tool after you have either cut or copied your selected
artwork into a new frame or elsewhere in the current frame.
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Mark Selection
This tool allows you to select a specific point or a range of points
within a frame, and edit only the marked selected points, instead of the
whole artwork currently in the frame. Once the point or points are
selected they change become bigger points and change to have a red
outer brim, showing that they have been selected.
Selected range of points
Highlighted by the guide
Pink rectangle
Selected points glow yellow
to show that they are selected
Move Image
Use this feature to alter the position of the entire image on the Drawing
Area. To move the image hold the mouse button down, and position
the rectangle in the new location. Release the mouse button to finally
place the image in the new location. If only specific points are
required to move, first select them with the Mark Selection tool.
Scale Image
Allows the size of the image to be altered. Once selected, hold the
mouse button down, and drag the new rectangle, which represents the
size of the new image, to the new desired size. Release the mouse
button once you are happy with the new image size.
Rotate Image
This allows you to rotate your artwork around four different rotation
origins:
1) Screen Centre
Rotates the artwork around the centre of the design area.
2) Natural Centre of Selected Object
Rotates the desired rotation angle around the calculated centre
point of the artwork selected
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3) New User Defined Centre
Rotates around a point selected by the user. If selected a cross will
appear on the draw area, direct it to the desired rotation point and click
to mark the spot; then select the rotation angle.
4) Use Current, User Defined Centre
This option remembers the custom user defined point (see option 3) to
enable further rotations to be made around the same selected point.
This option eliminates the need to undo the first rotation and re find
the rotation point.
You next have to set the rotation angle that is required:
Once you have set the angle and clicked ok, the image will have
rotated around the origin selected.
Flip About X Axis
Flip About Y Axis
Inverts the whole image about the X axis (horizontal)
Inverts the whole image about the Y axis (vertical)
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3. View Menu
Show Points
This option can be toggled on and off to show the positions of the
coordinates defining the image. When enabled dots appear on the
coordinate positions.
Show Blanking
This enables the laser blanking to be viewed, and can be toggled on
and off to view only when required.
Show 3D
Displays the image on the Drawing Area, with all the points projecting
from a central origin to give an impression of what the effect might
look like being projected through the air. This option can be toggled on
and off.
Show Bitmap / Jpeg If a bitmap file (*.BMP) or JPEG (*.JPG) has been loaded for tracing,
this option allows you to show or hide the image. To load a bitmap or
Jpeg file see Tools Menu.
Show Overlay
If an overlay frame has been selected for viewing, this option allows
you to Image show or hide the frame.
Show Grid
This enables you to show or hide a grid, which assists in the
positioning of artwork etc.
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Snap to Grid
Use to turn the grid snap on and off. When the Snap to Grid is enabled
a little white box appears showing the coordinate that will be snapped
to when the mouse is pressed.
Grid Spacing Setting This leads to a sub menu that allows you to select between 100 pts &
500 pts. When you save the program, the settings are saved so that
they will default to whatever you set them at last.
Zoom In
Hold the left mouse button down, whilst you drag the mouse over the
area you want to view in greater detail; this action draws a rectangle
over the part of the image that you wish to view. The section of image
will then appear on the Drawing Area in a magnified state. Repeat this
procedure to zoom in closer and closer.
Normal View
Zoomed in
Zoom Out
Returns the zoom level back to the previous level before the image was
magnified.
Show Whole Image
Display the entire image on the Drawing Area; reverse zoom in effect.
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4. Frame Menu
Add New Frame
This allows you to add a new frame to the scene. This automatically
defaults the new frame to the next available empty frame. There are
four different options to choose from when adding a new frame.
You can select from:
1. New blank frame : This opens a blank frame for new artwork.
2. New frame using the last frame as a template : This will duplicate
the last frame, so that you can use the artwork as a template for
modification (e.g. to draw a man walking, you would copy the last
frame and only adjust the legs in the new frame)
3. New frame using a frame file as a template : This will open a file
browser to search for a desired file (or scene) to be opened. If scene
has multiple frames, all frames will be added.
4. Paste frame : Paste the cut or copied artwork from another frame
into a new frame.
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Insert New Frame
Used to insert a frame within a current range of frames. It allows you
to select the frame number as to where you would like the new frame
inserted.
Again the new frame can be either:
1. New blank frame : This opens a blank frame for new artwork.
2. New frame using the last frame as a template : This will
duplicate the last frame, so that you can use the artwork as a template
for modification (e.g. to draw a man walking, you would copy the last
frame and only adjust the legs in the new frame)
3. New frame using a frame file as a template : This will open a file
browser to search for a desired file (or scene) to be opened. If scene
has multiple frames, all frames will be added.
4. Paste frame : Paste the cut or copied artwork from another frame
into a new frame.
Paste a Group of
Frames
Once you have either copied or cut your required group of frames,
select this option to enable you to choose as to which existing frame to
insert the new frames before.
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Merge a Frame
file) with
Current Frame
This option allows you to merge two separate frames from two (from
separate scenes together.
First, select the frame in the current scene which you wish to merge
another frame with. Next, select the Merge a Frame option. A
dialogue box will open, allowing you to select a file
as to where
your desired frame is saved. If the frame required is part of a multi
frame scene, use the frame locator/preview to the right hand side of the
dialogue box to select the frame.
Click open once the frame wanted is on the preview screen, and the
chosen frame will now be inserted or merged with the current frame.
Copy Current Frame Select Copy Frame, and then open the desired frame that you would
like copied from the drawing area, see Select Frame (this opens the
frame into the drawing area) to paste the copied artwork either go into
add new frame or insert new frame then select the paste option.
Cut Current Frame
Select Cut Frame, and then open the desired frame that you would like
cut from the drawing area, see Select Frame (this opens the frame into
the drawing area) to paste the cut artwork either go into add new frame
or insert new frame and select the paste option. A warning box will
confirm your decision; click if you want to cut the frame.
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Copy a Group of
Frames
This option allows you to copy a selected group of frames and then
paste them elsewhere in the scene. Once this option is selected, a
dialogue box appears to enable you to choose the selected frames that
you want to copy.
Once you click OK, the frames are ready to be pasted into a new
position. (See Paste a Group of Frames, under the Frame Menu)
Cut a Group of
Frames
This option allows you to cut or remove a selected group of frames to
be pasted or moved elsewhere in the scene. Once this option is
selected, a dialogue box will appear to enable you to choose the frames
required to cut.
Once you click OK, the frames selected will disappear from the scene,
until you paste them into a new position.
(See Paste a Group of Frames, under the Frame Menu)
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Delete Current Frame Select the frame that you would like to delete, see Select Frame, this
opens the frame into the drawing area. A warning box will double
check your decision to delete, click yes if you want to delete.
Please note – this function cannot be undone.
Delete a Group of
Frames
This enables you to delete a selected group of frames. Once selected, a
dialogue box appears which allows you to select the required group of
frames that you want to delete.
A warning box will double check your decision to delete, click yes if
you want to delete. Please note – this function cannot be undone.
Select Frame
This allows you to select a specific frame in the current scene. Details
of total number of frames in scene are also displayed.
Previous Frame
This allows you to view the previous frame before the current frame
being displayed.
Next Frame
This displays the next frame after the current frame being displayed.
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Set 3D Drawing
Depth
This that allows you set the drawing depth of the current view.
Clicking this opens a new popup that allows you to set the drawing
depth using sliders.
When you come back out into the main drawing window, if you look
on the right hand side where the “other views” are, you can see the
grey axis line on the other two 3D views, so you can see what the
depth looks like. As you change from view to view, you will see the
axis switch as necessary.
Frame Properties
This shows the scan rate set for the current frame you have open.
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Adjust Multiple
Frames
This option enables you to change the Scan Speed, Dwell and Colour
of a selection of frames, without having to individually go through
each frame within the scene; within the frame parameters screen,
simply click the boxes next to what changes you would like to make,
adjust the sliders and click okay.
Change Scan Speed: Click box next to Change Scan Speed. Your
selected frames can be changed to have all the same scan speed, simply
change the scan rate by sliding the bar left (decrease the rate) to right
(increase the rate), changing the rate from 1K to the maximum of 65K
points per second (PPS).
Change Dwell: Click box next to Change Dwell. If individual frames
within the selected “From and To” have been created with different
Dwells, the relative Dwell adjuster bar slider will proportionally
change the Dwell from 1 to 1000, as required.
Change Colour: Click box next to Change Colour. The recolour
selection screen will appear. Please see Edit Menu for details.
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5. Animation Menu
Auto-Animate the
Selected Frame
Auto-Animate enables you to turn a single frame image into a
rotating/spinning, moving and size changing effect.
The main Auto-Animate layout window is divided into three main animation requirements:
Rotation : Generation Parameters : Animate Control
1. Rotation
This section is divided into the three main animation types:
ROTATE / SPIN
This animate option allows you to change the rotation or
spin on the image. The difference between selecting either
rotation or spin is the way you calculate the how the image
will turn. Rotation option is decided by how many degrees
you turn the image (range -360º to +360º); where as spin is
decided by how many times you want the image completely
turned (range -10 to +10 times). As you can rotate or spin
the X, Y and Z axis of the image, the following diagram
will help you in understanding the perception of the image
result once rotation or spin is applied to it.
X axis = width Y axis = height
Y
Origin
X
Z
Z axis = depth
X AXIS
The X axis will rotate the image to a maximum range of -360º to +360º or spin the image to
a maximum -20 to +20 times, + being positive or forward i.e. the image will tilt towards you,
- being negative or backwards i.e. the image will tilt away from you.
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Y AXIS
The Y axis will rotate the image to a maximum range of -360º to +360º or spin the image to a
maximum -20 to +20 times, + being positive or forward i.e. the image will turn to the right, being negative or backwards i.e. the image will turn to the left.
Z AXIS
The Z axis will rotate the image to a maximum range of -360º to +360º or spin the image to a
maximum -20 to +20 times, + being positive or forward i.e. the image will turn clockwise, being negative or backwards i.e. the image will turn anti-clockwise.
Rotate Animate Menu, where the rotation is calculated in degrees.
Spin Animate Menu, where the spin is calculated in the number of turns.
SIZE
This animate option allows you to change the size of the image. As you look at the image on
the grid, change the size of the image by either sliding the grey slide bar or by typing the
percentage number of size change required; the X axis will either increase (+ %) or decrease
(- %) the image size WIDTH, and the Y axis will again either increase (+ %) or decrease (%) the image size HEIGHT. If you want the image to maintain its aspect ratio, i.e. both
X&Y axis change the same percentage, ensure that you select the lock X&Y option.
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POSITION
This animate menu allows you to change the position of the image. As you look at the image
on the grid, change the position of the image by either sliding the grey slide bar or by typing
the percentage number of movement required; the X axis moves the image either left (- %) or
right (+ %), and the Y axis moves the image either up (+ %) or down (- %).
2. Generation Parameters
Number of Frames
This option enables you to choose as to how many frames you would
like the image to rotate or spin over; simply enter the number of frames
required. The number of frames you enter will reflect on the duration
of the sequence. You can see the duration of the frames in the
animation within the Animate Control box, which is just to the right of
the Generation Parameters.
3. Animate Control
This menu is where you can set the control of the rotation effects that will be created.
Duration
The duration of the sequence is dependant upon the number of frames,
which you entered into the Generation Parameters.
Cycle Animation
This option gives you the ability to create an animation sequence that
“cycles” back and forth, i.e. your original animation is of a star moving
to the right, if Cycle Animation box is selected the animation will now
move back to the startposition, therefore creating a rocking effect.
Please note that this effect will double the animation frame amount, i.e.
original animation is over 25 frames, once Cycle is selected the frame
output will be an additional 25 frames, totalling 50 frames. Ensure
this is selected before you click on Set End.
(see Tutorial Chapter for an example of this)
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Reverse
If this box is ticked, the auto-animate frames created will be added to
the current scene in reverse order, i.e. if your animation makes a circle
zoom up from a dot when previewed, the Reverse Animation box when
selected will change the animation to a circle zooming back to a dot.
Ensure this is selected before you click on Set End.
(see Tutorial Chapter for an example of this)
Set Start
Click this button once you have the image in the correct starting size,
position and rotation orientation.
Set End
Click this button once you have applied the rotation effects required to
the image and the image is in the correct finishing size and position.
Ensure that before you click the Set End button you have selected the
number of frames and repeat value required, and if you require the
animation to include the Cycle and/or Reverse animation effects make
sure you tick the corresponding check boxes.
Preview
Click here to preview your auto-animate effect, before you commit to
the frames being put into the current scene.
Reset
Select this button to clear or reset the changes made to the rotation of
the image.
OK
Click OK once you have set your start and end effects and are happy
with the preview. The number of frames that you decided to spread
the auto-animate over will then be added to your current scene.
Cancel
Select cancel to exit from the auto-animate section.
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Auto-Animate the
Whole Scene
Auto-Animate Whole Scene enables you to apply animation to a whole
scene, with all frames rotating/spinning, moving and changing size.
As all frames within the scene can not be viewed simultaneously, the
screen simply shows L (left) and T (top) to ensure you know the
required position for the animations applied.
As with Auto Animate a Frame you can apply Rotate and Spins,
change size of both X & Y and the Position of X & Y.
Merge a Scene
(from file) with the
Scene
This allows you to either merge the current scene with either a single
frame or a different scene with an equal number of Current frames as
the current one.
Example A: A single frame will merge with the current open multiple frame
scenes; by inserting or merging the single frame onto every individual frame
in the multi opened scene.
Example B: A multiple frame scene will be merged with the current opened
multiple frame scene; i.e. frame 1 of the selected scene will merge with frame
1 of the current scene, frame 2 of the selected scene will merge with frame 2
of the current scene & so on.
A dialogue box will
appear upon selecting
this option, explaining
this. Click OK to
continue.
You now have the option to select the scene you would like to merge.
Click on or highlight the file/scene that you would like to select; please
note that the first frame of the scene selected has appeared on the
preview screen to the right hand side of the dialogue box. Below the
preview screen you have the choice of either selecting to load the
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whole scene (ensuring it is the same number of frames) or loading only
the single frame that is showing on the preview screen - to select a
different single frame move the grey bar to the image required).
Once you have selected what frame or scene you want click OK
Please note that this function can not be undone, therefore we advise you to
save your current scene before merging any scenes.
If you try to merge a whole scene with a different number of frames
than that of the current open scene, a warning message will appear
informing you of your error and that the merge could not happen.
Morph Image
This allows you to change or morph one frame into another frame over
a given sequence of frames. You must have two frames available to
generate the morph sequence. If you have no frames in your current
scene, the following warning message will show if you select the
Morph Image option:
To create morphed frames, first select Morph Image from the Animate
option on the main menu bar. Select the start and finish frame required.
Decide how many frames you would like the transformation of
morphing to take over and how many times you would like the frame
repeated (to slow the morphing speed down), and set the figures in the
Edit Morphing Parameters box. With one click of the Generate button
the morphing has been generated. To view the morph sequence click
Next Frame on the preview box. If you are unhappy with the result,
click the Reset button and start the procedure again until you are.
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You can use the morph tool to create both dramatic and subtle effects;
for example from text into a square/circle image (as in the example
shown) or a triangle slowly changing into a line.
Animate 3D Object
This function allows you to animate a 3D object / frame that you may
have saved as a file. Select the 3D image from your artwork & click
open.
You now have the same auto animation control features as previously
seen in the auto animate a frame, but this time your sequence results
will output as an animated 3D object rotating, spinning and changing
size all in 3D.
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6. Drawing Tool
Point
Select this tool to place a single point on the Drawing Area. To initiate
placing a point press the mouse button down, and continue to hold it
down, whilst dragging the point to the desired position. Release the
mouse button once the final position has been selected. Note that after
placing the third point you will see the loop back path appear, this is
the path the laser takes to go back to the first coordinate in the image.
Freehand
This tool allows freehand drawing, i.e. like drawing with a pen.
To use, place the pencil icon on the drawing area, in the position as to
where you would like the artwork to start, hold the left mouse button
down and use the mouse like a pen to create your graphics. Once the
mouse button is released the point placement will stop. The density of
the points that make up the freehand tool can be adjusted in the Object
Properties option found under the Options menu item.
Example screen shot of effects created by using the Freehand Tool.
Polyline
This enables you to draw complete graphic with multiple lines with a
continuous stream; i.e. does not insert blanking points at the start and
end of each line segment. To use, click the mouse button down at the
position you would like to begin; whilst holding the mouse button
down, drag the pencil icon to the points required to create your image.
Right click the mouse to end the Polyline drawing. The density of the
points that make up the Polyline can be adjusted in the Object
Properties option found under the Options menu.
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Example screen shot of effects created by using the Polyline Tool.
Line
Used to place a line of coordinates on the image. The density of the
points that make up the line can be adjusted in the Object Properties
option found under the Options menu. The method of placing a line is
very similar to that of placing a point, in that you hold the mouse
button down whilst selecting the desired position, then release the
mouse button to place the line.
Rectangle
Draws a rectangle or square on the Drawing Area. Click the mouse
button down at where you wish the top left corner of the rectangle to
begin, and then whilst holding the mouse button down, drag the guide
to where you require the rectangle to
appear. Release the
mouse button to place the rectangle on the screen. The density of the
points that make up the rectangle can be adjusted in the Object
Properties option found under the Options menu.
Ellipse
Used to place a circle or ellipse on the Drawing Area. Click the mouse
button down at where you wish the top left of the ellipse to begin, then
whilst holding the mouse button down, drag the guide to where you
require the ellipse to appear. Release the mouse button to place the
ellipse on the screen. The density of the points placed in the ellipse is
set in the Object Properties option under the Options menu.
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Text
When selected a prompt appears requesting that you type your text into
the space provided.
Once you click the OK button, a rectangle will appear on the screen,
indicating the final size of the text. Use the Mouse to move the
rectangle to the part of the screen that you wish the text to appear.
Press the mouse button to place the text. To select a different font
face, style or size, see the Options Menu.
The letter spacing and blanking density of the points which makes up
the text is set in the Object Properties option under the Options menu.
Here you can also amend the Anchor points, which will sharpen the
text font selected.
NOTE in order to reduce the number of nodes that the TTF text creates
when it is converted to a laser vector format, nodes on the straight
lines of the text may have to have points manually inserted after the
text is placed, using the editing tools.
© 2008 Laser UK
www.laser-uk.co.uk
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Laser UK
Beam Designer
7. Run Menu
Preview Scene
This function allows you to preview your scene or show via a playback
preview scene. This is ideal when you are working with no laser
connected to the USB interface.
The Preview screen has Play and Stop functions, along with a show
duration timer.
The Standard Mode is using standard Windows drawing routines, to
plot the preview images on the screen; whilst the Visualiser Mode uses
open GL graphics card acceleration to produce higher quality graphics.
If you have a powerful PC that you are using the Beam Sculptor with,
you can opt for the High Frame Rate preview, which will update the
screen more often and give a smoother preview.
The 3D View enables you to see the show with beam lines, replicating
a live view (as seen in the above example).
Please note: preview settings will not have any effect on the actual playback
quality via your laser projector.
© 2008 Laser UK
www.laser-uk.co.uk
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Laser UK
Beam Designer
8. Tools Menu
Trace BMP or JPEG Allows you to import a standard bitmap (*.BMP) or Jpeg (*.JPG) for
converting into laser artwork. This is useful for converting scanned
artwork such as logos and other graphics. The image you select is
placed on the background of the Drawing Area at the position and size
you specify. It is then possible to use the Drawing Area like tracing
paper to trace over the parts of the image you want to appear as a laser
graphic. It is possible turn the visibility of the bitmap or Jpeg image on
and off using the option under the View menu list.
Select Overlay Image Allows you to select a frame to use as an overlay in the drawing area;
either to trace, hep to line other artwork in place etc. It is possible turn
the visibility of the overlay image on and off using the option under the
View menu list.
© 2008 Laser UK
www.laser-uk.co.uk
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Laser UK
Beam Designer
9. Options Menu
Colour
This sets the drawing colour. Use this option to change to the selected
colour you required.
Please note that the laser output will only
project colours that are available to your
individual lasers’ wavelength. If you have
a Green DPSS laser, no matter what colour
is selected or artwork designed in, the laser
will only output its single colour.
If the colour you require is not included within the basic colour
selection, click on define custom colours. Another part to the colour
selection screen is now displayed:
Using the cursor, click on the colour you require. On the right hand
side there is a long strip of your colour fading in from white through to
black – this is where you can select the brightness level of your chosen
colour. Click “Add to Custom Colours” and then okay to use your
select colour.
© 2008 Laser UK
www.laser-uk.co.uk
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Laser UK
Beam Designer
Character Font
Opens the text font selection dialog box, which displays a list of all the
available fonts you have installed on your system. You are able to use
any of the Windows Tru-Type Fonts (TTF) for creating text with Beam
Sculptor PC. You can also alter the size of the characters by altering
the Point Size in the dialog. Please remember, the more complicated
the font you select the more points that will be inserted in the laser
text.
NB. Ensure you amend the font type and style before you write your text!
Object Properties
This option allows you to set the point spacing between the
coordinates and the number of anchor points to insert for each of the
drawing tools.
SPACING
1,000 = points close together
10,000 = points wide apart
ANCHOR
1 = low points (fast scan systems)
10 = high points (low scan systems)
© 2008 Laser UK
www.laser-uk.co.uk
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Laser UK
Beam Designer
Beam Blanking
Settings
This enables changes to be made to the beam blanking settings/
configuration.
Preferences
This allows you to set the preferred beam colour by default. Once
click the colour select screen opens for you to choose your default
colour.
“Double Click”
Object Editing
When in this mode drawing of the objects requires a click to start and
another to finish the drawing. If you right click the mouse whilst
between clicks, you get a little popup menu that allows you speedy
access to the Depth Control, Grid On/Off, Colour Control, and a new
“Finish” function (used for PolyLine and Multi-Point Drawing). This
is very useful for drawing 3D polyline objects. E.g. it is easy to now
draw a 3D helix by simply altering the depth as the polyline is drawn.
When in this new drawing mode the features of the drawing tools are
as follows:Point – this changes to allow you to draw freely across all three axis, so you
can change depth as you place subsequent points. I’ve drawn a part of a helix
using this tool. Right Click and you can access the popup menu to change
things on the fly. You need to right click and click “Finish” when you have
finished drawing.
Freehand – the functionality of this is a little more difficult to control over a
3D axis, as the points are placed with the movement of the mouse, therefore
you will probably just use this to draw on a single plane at a time.
Line – This can be used to draw lines that start off at one depth, and end in
another.
PolyLine – same as Line, but you can change depths as you place each on the
new lines.
Rectangle Ellipse & Text, each of these allow you to alter the depth whilst
editing, but the whole object sits on the same plane, unlike the Line and
PolyLine etc…
Snap-to-Grid also works in the Depth Settings window, and you will see
the sliders jump to the next Snap Point, if the Snap is on.
© 2008 Laser UK
www.laser-uk.co.uk
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Laser UK
Beam Designer
10. Help Menu
Contents
Starts standard Windows Help File for the Beam Designer.
NOT AVAILABLE IN THIS VERSION
About
Displays information about the current version of the program, and to
whom it is registered to.
© 2008 Laser UK
www.laser-uk.co.uk
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