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How to Offset the LetterMat/TTF to Cut on Two Layers in Trace

Info

  • The LetterMat™ fonts are specialized fonts designed specifically for the Wizard FrameShop software.

  • The True Type Font (TTF) is an additional source of fonts, separate from LetterMats, that can be loaded into Designerto Cut, Deboss, or Pen.

  • Note: TTFs have not been tested by Wizard and results may vary.

    • Feel free to experiment!

Warning

  • NOTE: Make sure that the font you want to use will cut the desired text correctly at the size selected before taking the time to make it two layers.

  • The LetterMat/TTF can be Penned and Debossed much smaller than it can be cut.

Expand
titleLetterMat Definition

The LetterMat™ fonts are specialized fonts designed specifically for the Wizard FrameShop software.

Single Line Fonts: The letters are formed with Single Lines, not drawn as the outlines of shapes. Single line fonts can only be Debossed or drawn with the Pen.

Outline Fonts: The Outline fonts display the shapes of the letters as outlines with only a slight distinction between the thin and thick strokes. These fonts can be Debossed, Penned or Cut.

See: Add Font Function

See: LetterMat Properties

Expand
titleTTF Definition

The True Type Font (TTF) is an additional source of fonts, separate from LetterMats, that can be loaded into Designerto Cut, Deboss, or Pen.

The True Type Font (TTF) format was created to work between both Apple (Mac) and Microsoft (Windows) and could be deciphered by most printers by default. The TTFs contain the mathematical outlines of each character in the font.

The True Type Fonts are located in the /Windows/Fonts directory.

Note: TTFs have not been tested by Wizard and results may vary. Feel free to experiment.

See: Add Font Function

See: TTF Properties

2LayerLetterMatDone800.png

  • First we need to make sure we are designing the layers in the correct order for these instructions.

  • On the FrameShop Main Page, click Admin and stay on the Defaults tab.

  • Under Layer Direction select Bottom Up if it is not already set to that.

  • Click Save and return to the Main Page.

2LayerLetterMatDefaultDirection800.png

  • Click New Mat Design on the FrameShop Main Page.

  • Click Cancel on the New Openings Screen.

  • Click the Add Font Button on the Openingstab.

  • Select the desired LetterMat/TTF font from the pullout list.

2LayerLetterMatStart800.png

  • The LetterMat/TTF placeholderis placed on the Editor.

  • Click on Properties to edit the LetterMat/TTF Properties.

  • Enter the desired text for the LetterMat/TTF in the Text field.

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2LayerLetterMatText800.png

  • Change the Kerning to spread the letters out to make room for the double layer.

  • The amount will be determined by the Reveal size you decide for the second layer.

    • Play with this value to see what works for your project.

2LayerLetterMatKerning800.png

  • If you want to adjust the spacing of the letters manually, click on the Advanced Tab and click Explode Font.

  • This will break up the LetterMat/TTF into individual letters that can each be moved separately.

2LayerLetterMatExplode800.png

  • Select all of the letters of the LetterMat/TTF.

  • Right-Click and select Convert to CutArt.

2LayerLetterMatConvertToCutArt800.png

  • The letters will be brought into Trace.

2LayerLetterMatTraceStart800.png

  • Depending upon the complexity of the Font selected, sometimes you can just select all of the letters and offset them, so we’ll try that first.

  • Select all of the letters by drawing a rectangle around them.

  • They will turn White.

2LayerLetterMatTraceSelected800.png

  • On the Offset section, select the desired Offset/Reveal size.

Expand
titleOffset Definition

The Offset button creates a displacement copy of the selected object a parallel distance away as specified in the Offset Revealfield.

  • Select the desired direction to create the new offset from the Offset  control. 

    • The Left < button will offset an enclosed object to the outside.

    • The Right > button will offset an enclosed object to the inside.

  • The object will be Offset in the Direction and by the Amount specified.

See: Offset Function in Trace

2LayerLetterMatTraceOffsetValue800.png

  • Select the Left < button to designate the direction to create the new offset from the Offset  control. 

    • The Left < button will offset an enclosed object to the outside.

    • The Right > button will offset an enclosed object to the inside.

  • The object will be Offset in the Direction and by the Amount specified.

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2LayerLetterMatTraceOffsetDone800.png

  • Zoom in and make sure that the newly offset object is completely connected.

  • It should appear Black on the screen.

  • If it appears Grey, it is not connected and will need to be Joined in order to be a cuttable object.

Info

  • If there are sections that need to be Joined or Closed, see the Trace manual for instructions on using the various tools within that software.

  • If the Offset is displayed as a mess of lines and arcs, click Undo and select a smaller Offset value.

  • If that still does not work, return to Designer and enter a larger Kerning value, make the LetterMat larger, or Explode the Font and move the letters into the desired position.

2LayerLetterMatTraceZoom800.png

  • Once that layer is completely connected, click on the Set Bevels tab.

2LayerLetterMatTraceSetBevelsTab800.png

  • Click the Add button to add a new layer.

2LayerLetterMatTraceSetBevelsTabAdd800.png

  • Click on the Bottom layer which is the original LetterMat design.

  • It should show that it has several Objects listed on it.

  • The LetterMat should be displayed in the colors of the Bevel Types they were traced in.

2LayerLetterMatBottomLayerSelect800.png

  • Select the Outside Layer of the Drops of the by holding down the CTRL key and clicking on each of them.

  • They will turn White to show they are selected.

Info

  • We are tracing the Outside layer of the Drops because as Drop, you will be stacking the fallouts on top of each other.

  • Therefore, the bottom layer needs to contain the larger Drop.

2LayerLetterMatBottomLayerDropOutsideSelect800.png

  • Select the desired Drop bevel type and click Set.

  • The Drops will turn the color of the Drop bevel type, showing that they are Traced.

2LayerLetterMatBottomLayerDropOutsideTrace800.png

  • Click on the new Layer we had created which is the top layer.

  • It should show that it has 0 (Zero) Objects on it, because we haven’t traced them yet.

Info

  • The original layer will be displayed semi-opaque in the color of the bevel types selected.

  • Note also that the Drops we traced are also displayed semi-opaque.

    • This is because they are traced on a different layer and not on the current layer.

2LayerLetterMatTraceClickNewLayer800.png

  • Select the Inside Layer of the Drops of the new layer by holding down the CTRL key and clicking on each of them.

  • They will turn White to show they are selected.

Info

  • We are now tracing the Inside layer of the Drops because as Drop, you will be stacking the fallouts on top of each other.

  • Therefore, the top layer needs to contain the smaller Drop.

2LayerLetterMatTraceSelectDrops800.png

  • Select the desired Drop bevel type and click Set.

  • The Drops will turn the color of the Drop bevel type, showing that they are Traced.

Info

  • Note: Tracing the original Drops from the LetterMat on this layer removes it from the previous.

  • They will now cut on the top layer.

2LayerLetterMatTraceDropsTraced800.png

  • Now select each of the openings by holding down the CTRL key and clicking on each of them.

  • They will turn White to show they are selected.

2LayerLetterMatTraceSelectOpenings800.png

  • Select the desired Opening bevel type and click Set.

  • The Drops will turn the color of the Opening bevel type, showing that they are Traced.

2LayerLetterMatTraceOpeningsTraced800.png

  • Save the new LetterMat design as a CutArt.

2LayerLetterMatTraceSaveCutArt800.png

  • Load the new CutArt into Designer.

  • You now have a two-layer LetterMat.

  • Make sure to do a test cut and make adjustments if necessary.

  • If desired, reset the Layer Direction on the Admin screen.

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2LayerLetterMatDone800.png