<ul><li><p>ArtCAM Insignia 2008 Training Course </p><p>Delcam plc, Talbot Way, Small Heath Business Park, Birmingham, B10 0HJ. </p><p>www.delcam.com </p></li><li><p>Important Notice </p><p> This document is supplied as part of a Delcam Training Course. It is not intended to be </p><p>distance learning material: rather as an aid for Tutors when presenting material to course delegates and as a subsequent aid memoir to those delegates. </p><p> Delcam does not accept responsibility for any personal belongings / valuables whilst on the </p><p>premises. Delegates are advised to keep their belongings on their person at all times. </p><p>Delcam plc. has no control over the use of the software described in this document and cannot accept any responsibility for any loss or damage howsoever caused as a result of using the software. Users are advised that all results from the software are checked by a competent </p><p>person in accordance with good quality control procedures. </p><p>The software described in this document is furnished under a license agreement and may be used only in accordance with the terms of such license. </p><p>Copyright 2008 Delcam plc. All rights reserved. </p><p>Training Centre Customer Support Tel: 0121 683 1050 Tel: 0121 683 1010 Fax 0121 766 5511 Fax: 0121 766 5542 </p></li><li><p>ArtCAM Insignia Contents </p><p>ArtCAM Insignia 2008 Contents Chapters Page Number </p><p>1. Introduction 1.1 1.6 </p><p>2. Creating Vectors 2.1 2.10 </p><p>3. Further Vector Creation 3.1 3.10 </p><p>4. Vector Editing 4.1 4.12 </p><p>5. Pictures 5.1 5.8 </p><p>6. Machining Basics 6.1 6.8 </p><p>7. Machining Text 7.1 7.20 </p><p>8. Machining Holes and Along Vectors 8.1 8.6 </p><p>9. Generating NC Programs 9.1 9.4 </p><p>Appendix </p><p>Machining Project </p><p>Nesting Vectors </p><p>Multiple Plates </p><p>Machining Inlays </p><p>Font Creator </p><p>3D Machining </p><p>Feature Machining </p><p> Issue ArtCAM Insignia 2008 1 </p></li><li><p>Contents ArtCAM Insignia </p><p>2 Issue ArtCAM Insignia 2008 </p></li><li><p>ArtCAM 1. Introduction </p><p>1. Introduction </p><p>Introduction. ArtCAM Insignia is a program that allows you to create 2D and 3D products quickly and easily from 2D vector artwork or 3D imported models. With ArtCAM Insignia you can engrave in metals, machine wooden pieces or run a production orientated environment. ArtCAM Insignia is accessed through the Start Menu within Windows, or a shortcut on the desktop. Load ArtCAM Insignia by Start - Programs ArtCAM Insignia 2008 </p><p>ArtCAM Insignia. </p><p> ArtCAM Insignia appears. </p><p> The Assistant is on the left hand side and the empty graphics area on the right. To start working in ArtCAM Insignia you need to create a new model, open and existing one or the last model. Click on the icon Create New Model. </p><p> Issue ArtCAM Insignia 2008 1.1 </p></li><li><p>1. Introduction ArtCAM </p><p> The job dimensions must be set up at the start. This is the physical size of block that will be put in to the machine. The origin needs to be set at this stage and either the top or bottom of the block needs to be defined. </p><p> Change the Width to 50, Height to be 50 and Thickness to be 10. Set the Material Z Zero at the top of the block and Model position on </p><p>the Machine bed. Click in the centre of the block diagram to select the origin. </p><p> Click on OK to accept the settings. </p><p>1.2 Issue ArtCAM Insignia 2008 </p></li><li><p>ArtCAM 1. Introduction </p><p>The main screen appears, showing the options available in the Assistant on the left and on the right a 2D view of the job. There are two new tabs at the bottom with the Assistant page called Project and Toolpaths. On the Right hand side there is the Layers Tab and Toolbox. </p><p>Assistant Tab The Assistant is where you find the tools for working in ArtCAM Insignia. These tools are grouped into Topics to make them easier to find and are all selected by clicking on the left mouse button. Model Information - this shows the actual size of the artwork and height of the relief File These options are applied when creating new, or opening existing ArtCAM models. Model - This controls, the editing of the model attributes and also includes Lights and Materials for shading the relief. Bitmap Tools - These bitmap commands work with colours, directly on the defined resolution. Vector Tools - Vectors are flat 2D lines, independent of resolution. These command control the creation of the vectors. Position, Combine, Trim Vectors - These are the tools to modify vectors. Relief Tools- These are the tools for importing a relief. </p><p> Vectors and Bitmaps can be assigned to Layers, which is controlled by the Layers assistant on the right hand side of the screen. </p><p> Issue ArtCAM Insignia 2008 1.3 </p></li><li><p>1. Introduction ArtCAM </p><p>Fly - out menus Some menu options are hidden within a fly - out menu to save space. They are accessed via an arrow located to the right of an existing icon. To lock them in positon, click the pin at the end of the fly out menu. </p><p> pin Fly out menus will change dependant upon the last command you used in the menu. For example, if you select a star, then the star moves to the left side of the menu, so when the fly - out is closed, the star icon is the one shown. </p><p> To hide a fly-out menu reselect the pin. </p><p> There is a Toolpath Tab, which controls the creation, editing and ordering of the toolpaths. Click on the Toolpaths tab. All of the machining is generated and simulated using the toolpaths page. 2D toolpaths are generated from these options. ArtCAM 2008 now allows the machining of a 3D relief </p><p>1.4 Issue ArtCAM Insignia 2008 </p></li><li><p>ArtCAM 1. Introduction </p><p> Click on the Assistant tab. </p><p>Graphics Windows </p><p> The graphics window on the right displays the 2D view and is used for displaying the vectors and Preview toolpaths. The 2D view can be zoomed in and out using the middle mouse wheel. Behind the 2D views is a 3D view, which displays the material, the toolpaths and the simulation of the machining. These views can be brought to the front by clicking on the view name on the top left hand corner. </p><p> Click on the 3D text. </p><p> The 3D view is brought to the front. It displays the material that was set up and the origin. The 3D view can be rotated dynamically holding the left mouse button and moving the mouse. The view can be zoomed in and out using the right mouse button. </p><p> Issue ArtCAM Insignia 2008 1.5 </p></li><li><p>1. Introduction ArtCAM </p><p> The top left hand corner contains the words 2D, and by pressing it the 2D window is brought to the front. To move easily from Window to Window, the Function buttons F2 (2D view) and F3 (3D view) can be used. Press F2 and then F3. Press F2 twice. By pressing either F2 or F3 twice, this will minimise or maximise the view. The view can also be laid out sided by side by using the Tile option from the top menus. Select Window Tile Vertically. </p><p> The 2D and 3D view are now side by side. To return to one view, just maximise the view you require. </p><p>1.6 Issue ArtCAM Insignia 2008 </p></li><li><p>ArtCAM 2. Creating Vectors </p><p>2. Creating Vectors </p><p>Introduction. Vectors can be generated in ARTCAM Insignia, imported from other software packages or generated from pictures using Bitmap to Vector. The following example uses all of these methods to generate a forest sign. </p><p>Forest Example In the Assistant, select the Set Model Size icon. </p><p> The job dimension screen appears and allows you to change the size of your job as when you generate a new model. For this model, the X and Y size needs to be increased. </p><p> Change the Width to be 200 and Height as 100. Put the Material Z Zero in the Centre at the Top of the Block and press </p><p>OK. The graphics screen is updated to show the new size. In Vector Creation, select the Create Ellipse icon. </p><p> The Assistant page changes so that it displays the Ellipse Creation page. This page has additional help, which can be displayed by clicking on the text Show Help. </p><p> Issue ArtCAM Insignia 2008 2.1 </p></li><li><p>2. Creating Vectors ArtCAM </p><p> Click on the Text 'Show Help'. </p><p> More Help is displayed in this page, giving a description of how the command works and sometimes a video clip. The Help text has been changed to 'Hide Help'. By pressing 'Hide Help' the additional text is removed, leaving the basic forms. Vectors can be drawn freehand by clicking with the mouse in the graphics area and stretching a size, or they can be given exact values in the forms. Once a vector is displayed, to actually put it into the graphics window, the Create button can be used. Closing this window will return the Assistant back to the main page. </p><p> Click on the Text 'Hide Help'. Enter an Ellipse Height of 80 and Width of 180. </p><p> A temporary ellipse is drawn in the graphics window. The middle of the ellipse shows a line with a circle on the end of this control can be used to dynamically change the angle of the ellipse. </p><p>2.2 Issue ArtCAM Insignia 2008 </p></li><li><p>ArtCAM 2. Creating Vectors </p><p> Click Create and then Close. Select N for Node Mode. </p><p> The ellipse is created and selected by default. The blue points are called nodes, and by dragging these around the shape of the ellipse changes. The lines connected to these nodes can be pulled, changing the angle of the curve through the point. </p><p> Click to the side of the ellipse. From the Layers assistant select Open from </p><p>the Vector layer tab </p><p> The Load vector Layer form appears, which allows you to browse through your computer to find the relevant file. From D:userstrainingArtCam Data, select the file called squirrel-</p><p>silhouette.dxf and press Open. As this is imported data it will be converted into Vectors by a tolerance factor. The tolerance is how closely the new vectors will match up with the original data. </p><p> Select OK. </p><p> Issue ArtCAM Insignia 2008 2.3 </p></li><li><p>2. Creating Vectors ArtCAM </p><p> The squirrel is displayed in pink in the graphics area, and is selected. It is imported as a group vector, which makes it easier to move around and resize. </p><p> From Position Size Align Vectors section, select Transform Vector(s) icon (press twice). </p><p> This assistant page allows you to move the selected around using the slider bars or by entering values. A temporary version of the Vectors is produced, this updates as you change the values. By pressing Apply it will fix the change and the grey outline becomes the new vectors. </p><p> Change the Position to be X -60 and Y 0 and press Apply. Change the New Width to be 28 and press Apply and then Close. </p><p> The squirrel is now smaller and is in a new position. </p><p>2.4 Issue ArtCAM Insignia 2008 </p></li><li><p>ArtCAM 2. Creating Vectors </p><p> Click away from the vector to deselect it. From the Layers assistant select Open from </p><p>the Bitmap layer tab. </p><p> From D:userstrainingArtCam Data, select the file pinetree.tif and press </p><p>Open. The Bitmap is loaded onto a new layer called Pinetree, and displayed on screen. </p><p> Vectors can be created quickly by selecting the colour, and then using the Bitmap to Vector </p><p>icon. in the Bitmap tools tab. This traces a vector around the edges of the selected colour in the bitmap. The 4 colours used in the image are displayed at the bottom of the screen. To select a colour; for generating a vector around the boundary; use mouse button 1 and click in the coloured square. Click the dark green square. Select the Bitmap to Vector icon. </p><p> Issue ArtCAM Insignia 2008 2.5 </p></li><li><p>2. Creating Vectors ArtCAM </p><p> This form allows you to define how closely and how smooth the vectors will be produced around the selected colour. By choosing a finer tolerance, more vector points will be created. Select Create Vectors. </p><p> A black vector line is generated around the green area of the tree. This can be selected and copied to ArtCAM Insignia. However the trunk of the tree is also required. The vector can be deleted by selecting it and pressing the delete key, or there is an undo Option on the Edit Menu. The brown colour can be temporarily linked to the dark-green so the whole area goes dark green. A new vector can be produced. </p><p> Select Edit Undo. Double right mouse click on the brown square. </p><p> The two colours are now linked. </p><p> The tree trunk turns green as the brown is linked to the green. To un-link the </p><p>colours, press the link icon again. Several colours can be linked to the main colour. The main colour is picked with the left mouse button and the secondary colour is picked by the right mouse button. </p><p> Select the Bitmap to Vector and select Create Vectors on the form. </p><p>2.6 Issue ArtCAM Insignia 2008 </p></li><li><p>ArtCAM 2. Creating Vectors </p><p> Select the new black tree vector. The size and location of the tree vector will be adjusted. To move and position the tree vector the Transform Vector command is used. </p><p> From the Assistant, select the Transform Vector icon. Enter X position as 60, y position of 0 and new height to be 50. Press Apply and then Close. Zoom in and de-select the vector. The original pinetree bitmap is no longer required and can be deleted. In the bitmap layers tab, Ensure the pinetree </p><p>layer is selected. Select delete </p><p> The tree vector sits to the right of the squirrel. Text will be entered into the middle of these vectors to finish the sign. </p><p> From the Assistant, Click on the Text icon. </p><p> The Text page of the Assistant appears. This allows you to specify the text height in mm, points or inches, text font, spacing (Kerning), justification, etc. By clicking in the graphics area a standard text entry line appears and any typed text appears after the line. </p><p> Change the Font to Ari..</p></li></ul>