Getting Started with VisualART Version 1.

VisualART
Art to Part modeling for VisualCAM©

MecSoft Corporation

Copyright 1998-2007, MecSoft Corporation, www.mecsoft.com

 Version 1.0

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Getting Started with VisualART

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Table of Contents
Welcome to VisualART ............................................................................................................................ 5
About This Guide .............................................................................................................................. 5
System Requirements ........................................................................................................................ 5
VisualART Setup .............................................................................................................................. 6
Step 1: Install VisualART (Required) .............................................................................................. 6
Step 2: Install Drivers....................................................................................................................... 6
Step 3: Registering VisualART (Required) ...................................................................................... 7
Troubleshooting VisualART ............................................................................................................. 9
Troubleshooting the Software Installation ........................................................................................ 9
VisualART Installation Folder .......................................................................................................... 9
Troubleshooting the Hardware Security Key.................................................................................... 9

VisualART User Interface...................................................................................................................... 10

VisualART Menu Bar Item ............................................................................................................. 11
VisualART Browser Window ......................................................................................................... 11
Relief Operations Tab ..................................................................................................................... 12
Raster to Vector Tab ....................................................................................................................... 13
Typical Scenario.............................................................................................................................. 14
Program Workflow.......................................................................................................................... 14

Relief Methods......................................................................................................................................... 16
Project Setup ................................................................................................................................... 19
Create 3D Relief from Raster Image............................................................................................... 21
Create Puffed Volume ..................................................................................................................... 25
Create Swept Volume...................................................................................................................... 29
Create Curve from Images (Raster to Vector) ................................................................................ 34
Export to VisualCAM ..................................................................................................................... 40
Editing Relief Operations................................................................................................................ 40
Archiving Projects........................................................................................................................... 42
VisualART Preferences................................................................................................................... 42

Tutorial 1: 3D Relief and Sweep Function ........................................................................................... 45

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Loading VisualART ........................................................................................................................ 45

VisualART Browser ........................................................................................................................ 46
Relief Operations Tab ..................................................................................................................... 46
Create 3D Relief.............................................................................................................................. 49
Create Swept Volume...................................................................................................................... 53
Export to VisualCAM ..................................................................................................................... 56
Working with VisualCAM Tools.................................................................................................... 57

Tutorial 2: Create Curve from Images and Puffed Volume ............................................................... 59

Create Curve from Images (Raster to Vector) ................................................................................ 60
Export to VisualCAM ..................................................................................................................... 63
Create Puffed Relief Using VisualCAM Geometry ........................................................................ 64
Create Puffed Relief Using Converted Geometry........................................................................... 67
Export to VisualCAM ..................................................................................................................... 71

Additional Help Available...................................................................................................................... 72

Appendix I: Network Installation of VisualART................................................................................. 73

Appendix II: Trouble shooting VisualART Installation ..................................................................... 74

Troubleshooting the Hardware Security Key.................................................................................. 74
Troubleshooting VisualART Display.............................................................................................. 75

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Welcome to VisualART
Welcome to VisualART and thank you for choosing one of most powerful and easy to use artistic
modeling packages on the market today.

VisualART is a unique plug-in that runs completely inside VisualCAM. This fully integrated product
seamlessly integrates VisualCAM’s CAD functionality with 3D relief model generation from bitmap or
picture files in one package that is both easy and fun to use. VisualART’s capabilities enable you to
produce 3D geometry that you can export to VisualCAM. Once exported this geometry can be
machined using any commercial CAM software such as VisualMILL.

VisualART's unique modeling tools used in conjunction with VisualCAM's native 3D design tools can
be a powerful combination for producing artistic 3D models for jewelry design, sign making and other
artistic design environment.

VisualART's comes with a browser interface that allows the user to create and manage multiple
modeling projects. Each of these projects can utilize multiple operations to create the final relief model
using a variety of tools such as relief to 3D conversion, puffing operations and/or sweeping operations.
Please explore this document to learn more of its capabilities.

About This Guide

This guide is designed to introduce first-time users to VisualART. The first part describes aspects of the
user interface and relief generation strategies. This is followed by several tutorials designed to
familiarize the user with the main features of VisualART. All the models used in these tutorials can be
located in the Tutorials folder under the VisualART main installation folder.

In addition to the information provided in this guide, please explore the context-sensitive online help
that is part of the product for a more comprehensive descriptions of features.

System Requirements

The minimum system requirements necessary for the proper functioning of VisualART are as follows:

• Intel Pentium compatible computer

• Windows NT, 95, 98, 2000, ME, or XP with at least 256 MB RAM.

• OpenGL-compatible graphics card, displaying at least 64,000 colors

• Approximately 100 MB of hard disk space.

Please keep in mind that if you are working with large models these minimum requirements might not
be sufficient. You will have to upgrade either your computer’s memory (RAM) capacity and/or your
computer’s main processor’s speed.

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VisualART Setup

To install VisualART software, follow these instructions:

1. Insert the CD-ROM Disk into your computer’s CD ROM drive.

2. The setup program will automatically launch once the computer detects the CD.

3. If the program is not automatically launched, browse the CD using the Windows Explorer program
and double click on the Launch program found in the CD.

Note: Make sure you have privileges to modify the system registry before you install VisualART.

Step 1: Install VisualART (Required)

Install the VisualART product by clicking on the Install VisualART button on the main installation
screen. Follow the instructions to complete the installation. The install program will install all the files
necessary for the proper functioning of VisualART but also will make necessary registry modifications
on your computer.

Note: VisualART by default uses software licensing. Software licenses lock the product to a single
machine and do not allow licenses to be transferred to multiple computers. However, VisualART
licenses that can be transferred to multiple machines can also be purchased from MecSoft Corporation.
These products ship with a hardware device called a dongle.

Skip step 2 if your VisualART product does not have a hardware key included.

Step 2: Install Drivers

If your VisualART includes a hardware security device called the security key (or “dongle”) you will
have to install the drivers to allow VisualART to communicate with this security device as the first step.
Click on the Install Drivers button on the installation screen and follow instructions to install the
drivers. This is either a 25-pin connector that connects to the parallel port of your computer, or a USB
key that plugs into any USB port on your computer.

USB Port Security Key Parallel Port Security Key

Note: Plug the hardware key into your computer only after you complete installation of all software.

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Once you have installed the drivers and the software you can attach the key to your computer.

• If you have a parallel port security key and if you have any other device, such as a printer,
connected through the parallel port, disconnect the device(s) and connect the VisualART security
key to the port. Then reattach the connector of the original device(s) on top of the security key;
the device(s) will continue to operate as before.

• If you have a USB port key, attach the key to any free USB port on your system

Make sure that the VisualART hardware key is connected to the computer. VisualART will not operate
correctly if the security key is not connected to the computer!

Step 3: Registering VisualART (Required)

Upon successful installation, you can run the full VisualART version 50 times or for 30 days without
registering the product. After this period, VisualART will not operate anymore. VisualART needs to be
registered with MecSoft and valid license codes obtained before it can become operable again.

To register VisualART, launch VisualCAM. To launch VisualCAM, click on the Windows Start
button and select Programs. Point to the program group containing VisualCAM. The name of this
program group will usually be called VisualCAM, unless you specified otherwise during setup. Once
you locate the program group, select it and then select VisualCAM and launch VisualCAM. Once
VisualCAM comes up correctly, it will automatically load the VisualART plug-in and display the
VisualART browser window as well as the VisualART menu bar entry in VisualCAM. Once
VisualART is loaded and ready, you will see the Enter License Codes dialog shown below. The Tries
Left field indicates the number of times you can run VisualART before it starts operating in demo mode.

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Getting Started with VisualART

Note: This registration dialog can also be invoked from the VisualART menu item in the VisualCAM
main menu bar.

To obtain license codes you must register the product using the Web form available at
www.mecsoft.com. You can automatically launch this web form by selecting the Request License
Codes button in the dialog. If you have purchased the product directly from MecSoft Corporation, you
will have to provide the purchase invoice number before you can be licensed. If you have purchased the
product through an authorized VisualART reseller, please obtain the license codes from your reseller. In
addition to this information make sure you also provide the Dongle ID that is shown on the registration
screen.

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Network Installation of VisualART

If you have purchased a network license of VisualART please follow the steps outlined in Appendix I
for proper installation of the network enabled hardware key.

Troubleshooting VisualART

If you have followed the installation steps outlined above correctly and are unable to load and run
VisualART correctly follow these troubleshooting steps to correct the problem.

Troubleshooting the Software Installation

Make sure that the software was correctly installed. To do this you can browse to the installation folder
of VisualART and make sure that the file VisualART.vca is present. Also make sure that all the folders
described in the following section are correctly installed. If you detect an incorrect installation, un-
install the software completely and re-install the software using the product CD again. You can un-
install the software by selecting the Add or Remove Programs option under the Control Panel settings
of your computer.

VisualART Installation Folder

VisualART installation creates a main installation folder whose name and location you can specify
during the installation process. If you accept the default location during the installation process the
default location would be found under the Plug-ins folder under the VisualCAM main installation
folder, typically C:\Program Files\VisualCAM 1.0\Plug-ins\VisualART. This folder contains the
VisualART plug-in and library files. There are also several subfolders in the installation directory:

Help: Contains the online help files used with VisualART. You can open these files directly from
this folder, or access them within VisualART.

Tutorials: Contains a tutorial and several part files to help first-time users get familiar with
VisualART. These are similar to the tutorials presented in this guide, in on-screen format. To launch
these tutorials, open the VisualARTTutorials.chm file, and use the table of contents or arrows to
browse through the steps.

Troubleshooting the Hardware Security Key

If you have followed the installation steps outlined in the installation section correctly and are unable to
load and run VisualART follow the troubleshooting steps outlined in Appendix II to correct the problem.

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VisualART User Interface

VisualART adheres to the Windows standard for user interface design. All functions can be accessed
from the menus, and common functions are accessible via toolbar icons. Most user interface settings are
modal – VisualART “remembers” these settings and they remain active in subsequent operations unless
you change them.
The main VisualART user interface objects are described below:

VisualART Browser

There are two main user interface objects that are created when VisualART is loaded. These are the

1. VisualART menu bar item in the main VisualCAM menu

2. VisualART browser window

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VisualART Menu Bar Item

When VisualART is invoked it will add a menu bar item, titled VisualART to the main VisualCAM
menu bar. Selecting this menu bar item will create a drop down menu as shown below.

Browser - Allows the user to toggle VisualART browser display on/off

Getting Started - Brings up the Getting started dialog that provides links to tutorials, videos, getting
started guide and link to support.

Help Topics – Launches the on-line help.

Register - Selecting this option brings up the registration dialog

Website - This will bring up the VisualART website that has useful links and information regarding
VisualART and associated products.

Unload - Selecting this option will unload the VisualART plug-in in the next invocation of VisualCAM.
Once VisualART is unloaded all of the user interface items associated with VisualART will be
destroyed. To re-load VisualART the user will have to use the VisualCAM plug-in manager.

About ... - This carries information about the current version of VisualART that is installed.

VisualART Browser Window

The Browser is a dock-able window that allows management of various entities or objects that can be
created in VisualART. By default, this window is set to auto hide and appears to the left inside
VisualCAM. You can move the mouse cursor over to VisualART and dock it inside the VisualCAM.
This window can be undocked and move to different locations on the main screen.
This window has two main modes of operation represented by tabs at the top of the window. These are
Relief Operations and Raster to Vector. Selecting each of these tabs allows different views of objects

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in the VisualART database. In addition each tabbed view also incorporates a context sensitive toolbar at
the top. These toolbars are groups of functions that are associated with the type of object(s) in the tab.

Relief Operations Tab

Project Setup: Brings up the Project setup dialog that allows the user to setup a workspace in the
XY plane. The workspace defines the size of the relief model.

Create 3D Relief: Launches a file open dialog that allows the user to select the image files such as
gif, bmp and jpg. Once a file has been selected, the 3D relief creation dialog pops up and the user can
now set the parameters in the dialog to convert the bitmap to a 3D relief model.

Create Puffed Volume: This brings up the puffed volume creation dialog. The user can select
closed curves and puff up the interior of these curves using various shapes.

Create Swept Volume: Allows user to create a swept volume by sweeping a cross-sectional curve
along rail curves. The user can choose from a palette of different cross-sectional curve types.

Export meshes to VisualCAM: This button allows the user to export the VisualART 3D relief
geometry to VisualCAM.

VisualART Preferences: This allows user to configure the various options used by VisualART

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Raster to Vector Tab

Create Curve from Images (raster to vector): This function allows the user to convert picture
files to 2-D curves. A picture file can be loaded and converted to a black and white image and the
boundaries that separate the black and white areas can be converted to curves.

Export curves to VisualCAM: This button allows the user to export the VisualART vector
geometry to VisualCAM.

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VisualART Workflow
VisualART aims at creating smooth relief models within VisualCAM. Using the tools provided in
VisualART creative models can be generated. The performed operations can also be edited very easily
to your needs and a model can be generated as per user specifications.

To accomplish this, the typical strategy is to first create a project setup workspace and use the tools to
Create 3D Relief from image files (jpg, gif, bmp), 2D Curve geometry from image files (jpg, gif, bmp),
puffed up volumes using closed curves, and sweep volumes using various profiles.

Typical Scenario

Modeling in VisualART starts with defining a Project Setup (work space) within VisualCAM. This
specifies the model extents.

Various operations such as Creating 3D Relief from image files (.bmp, .jpg, .gif), Creating Vectors
using 2D curve geometry from image files (jpg, gif, bmp), Create Puffed volumes using closed curves
and Create Swept volumes using various profiles can be specified within the workspace.

These operations are then listed in the VisualART browser in a tree structure. The project workspace
model will be updated every time a new operation is created.

Once the operations are created, the user can go back and review the operation sequence, re-order and/or
change operations if desired. The Browser can be used to manage these operations.

By using a combination of the VisualART tools, different models can be created. If any operation is not
to the user's expectation, it can be easily deleted or edited. After a satisfactory model is generated, it can
be exported to VisualCAM as a mesh object. This mesh is now ready to be used for machining using
CAM software such as VisualMILL.

Program Workflow

The typical workflow is reflected in the layout of the icons in the Relief Operations & Raster to Vector
tab of the VisualART Browser. The workflow is designed to allow the user to work starting from the
left most button and ending at the right most button.

The user typically would start with the Project Setup button to create the workspace initially and then
create the successive operations over the Project Setup space.

The user can create 2D curves using the Create Curve from Images feature of VisualART or
alternatively can create a 2D geometry using VisualCAM’s native tools for the creation of puffed or
swept volumes. These operations can then be combined using boolean operations such as add, subtract
or intersect to create complex 3D models.

This workflow is shown below pictorially.

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Step 1: Setup Project workspace Step 2: Create 2D Vectors from Image File

Step 3: Create Relief Operations (3D Relief, Step 4: Export the geometry to VisualCAM
Puffed Volume, Sweep)

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Relief Methods
There are two major classes of operations that can be created in VisualART - Relief and Raster to
Vector conversion. Relief operations are used to create 3D shapes while the Raster to Vector
operations are used to create 2D curve geometry from image files.

Relief operations can be categorized as 3D Relief from image files, puffed volumes using closed curves
and swept volumes using various profiles.

3D Relief from Image Files: This feature is used for converting the Raster images to gray scale
image, which in turn is converted into the 3D model whose height is based on the gray scale values of
each pixel in the raster image.

Puffed Volume: This functionality will be used for puffing up the interior of the given vector
geometry using the predefined shape functions. This will allow the user to select the boundaries of
the geometry and also the detail of the geometry. The final result obtained will have the puffed up
interior determined by the boundaries and the puffing shape will be influenced by the detail curves
selected by the user.

Swept Volume: This creates a swept volume by sweeping a cross-sectional profile along one or
more rail curves selected by the user.

These categories, and the available operations, within them are described in the sections to follow.

Relief Operation Types

Each of the above mentioned relief operations can be overlaid on the workspace using one of the
following Boolean rules:

• Create: Specifying this method creates 3D geometry and replaces existing geometry over the
project workspace.

• Unite: This operation adds the generated geometry to existing geometry in the workspace.

• Subtract: This operation subtracts the generated geometry from the existing geometry in the
workspace.

• Intersect: This operation intersects the generated geometry with the existing geometry in the
workspace

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Examples of relief operation types and the effect of applying their boolean overlay rules to the
underlying workspace is shown below.

Create

Unite

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Subtract

Intersect

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Project Setup

This is the first step required before any relief operation is created. The Project Setup dialog defines the
workspace or the area in which relief geometry will be created. Operations, which appear outside the
workspace setup, will be ignored. The user also needs to specify the resolution along with the extents.

Resolution defines the accuracy for generating the actual model. Higher the resolution, better the
quality of the geometry generated. It should be noted however, that increasing the resolution also
increases the relief generation time as well as the display time of the generated relief.

Project Extents can be specified manually or can be picked using the arrow button
from the Project Setup dialog. Pressing the pick extents button minimizes the Project Setup dialog and
the user is required to pick two points that are the two corners of the project extents rectangle. On
selecting these points, the Project Setup dialog reappears along with the modified extents values.

Resolution plays an important factor in relief generation. The user has to decide the resolution that best
suits his requirement. The recommended practice is to start with a low value for resolution, such as 50
dots/inch (considering Inches as the workspace units in VisualCAM). After all the relief operations are
created, the user can then tighten the resolution and regenerate these operations to get a better display
quality as well as a better relief model.

Note: The workspace size as well as the resolution affect the amount of data created quite significantly.
The larger the workspace and/or a higher resolution will consume more memory resources and result in
slower relief generation and display.

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Project Workspace

The pictures below shows the difference between the images generated with low and high resolution.

Relief Operation generated using low resolution Relief Operation generated using high resolution
(Fast rendering and regeneration, low accuracy) (Slower rendering and re-generation but higher
accuracy)

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Create 3D Relief from Raster Image

This feature helps convert the Raster images to gray scale image, which in turn will be converted into
the 3D model. The height of the 3D model at each pixel of the raster image is determined by the gray
scale value of the pixel.

Selecting the 3D Relief creation tool launches the File Open dialog to load the image file. The
allowable image file formats are bmp, jpg, and gif.

On selecting the image file, the Create Relief dialog appears as shown below. This dialog displays the
original image and the gray scale image at the same time. Changing the parameters used to control the
appearance of the gray scale alters the preview of the image dynamically thereby affording the user
rapid feedback on how the parameters affect the gray scale conversion.

The section below describes each of the controls in the dialog.

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File Open: This toolbar button at the top of the dialog lets the user to reload or load a new image
file.

Operation Name: The user can specify a name for the operation and this name appears in the
VisualART browser once the operation is generated.

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Operation type: Specifies the individual operations boolean overlay rule in generating the final
operation

The following operation types are available

• Create: Specifying this method creates 3D geometry and replaces existing geometry over the
project workspace.

• Unite: This operation adds the generated geometry to existing geometry in the workspace.

• Subtract: This operation subtracts the generated geometry from the existing geometry in the
workspace.

• Intersect: This operation intersects the generated geometry with the existing geometry in the
workspace

Invert Black/White: The invert color option is provided for the user to be able to invert the gray scale.
The gray scale inversion is required in case the model needs to be created as a depression instead of an
elevation. An example of this feature is as shown below.

Reset: Resets the changes that has been applied, such as inverting the image, or changing the Gray scale
value color of components.

At the bottom portion of the dialog there is a tabbed control that allows the user to perform two kinds of
edits. These are Image Edits and Parameter Edits. These are described below:

Image Edits: These are the edits that can be applied to affect the change of a color bitmap file to a gray
scale bitmap.

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Filter Off/On: Filter On converts the image to a 32-bit color scheme and allows the user to filter out
areas defined by the colors in the check boxes.

Gray Scale Value of Color Components: By adjusting the slider bar in the dialog, user can vary the
weight of color component to be converted into gray scale. Slider bar indicates the approximate value
of the component, and its equivalent value in gray scale is shown in the text box to the right of the
slider bar. This determines the weights of the color components for conversion to grayscale.

Parameter Edits: These are edits that can be applied to affect the conversion of the gray scale image to
the 3D relief model.

Smoothing: Allows the user to specify a model-smoothing factor between 0-20. Higher smoothing
value yields smoother results but also results in a loss of detail

Relief Parameters: This allows the user to position and size the 3D relief in the workspace. The user
can specify the insertion point either by coordinate entry or by picking on the graphics screen using
the pick button. The user can also specify the size of the relief object by selecting a rectangle
graphically or entering the lengths of the rectangle in the corresponding edit fields of the dialog.

Relief Height: This value determines the maximum height of the relief model.

Containment Curves: Containment curves can be used to limit the 3D relief within the enclosed area
of the curves. These curves need to be closed curves.

The picture below shows 3D relief for the same image file with and without containment curve.

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3D Relief without containment curves

3D Relief with 1 containment curve 3D Relief with multiple containment curves

Create Puffed Volume

This feature is used for puffing up the interior of user selected closed curves using predefined shape
functions. The user can select the boundaries of the puff shape as well as the detail of the geometry. The

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final result obtained will have the puffed up interior determined by the boundaries and the puffed shape
will be influenced by the detail curves selected by the user.

This dialog can be invoked by selecting create puffed volume button from the projects tab of the
VisualART browser. The details of this dialog are described in this section.

Name: The user can specify a name for the operation and this name appears in the VisualART Browser
once the operation is generated.

Type: Specifies the individual operations boolean overlay rule in generating the final operation

The following operation types are available

• Create: Specifying this method creates 3D geometry and replaces existing geometry over the
project workspace.

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• Unite: This operation adds the generated geometry to existing geometry in the workspace.

• Subtract: This operation subtracts the generated geometry from the existing geometry in the
workspace.

• Intersect: This operation intersects the generated geometry with the existing geometry in the
workspace

The user can choose from 3 shape functions to determine the final shape of the relief. These are
described below

Spherical Puffing: The puffed up volume will be mapped to create sphere like puffed interior.

Ellipsoidal Puffing: The puffed up volume will be mapped to create ellipsoidal puffed interior.

Parabolic Puffing: The puffed up volume will be mapped to create parabolic puffed interior.

User can alter the shape function for each of these types by manipulating the anchor points displayed in
the graphical display of each of these functions in the dialog.

Spherical Puffing Ellipsoidal Puffing

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Parabolic Puffing

Select Borders: These curves determine the borders of the puffed shape. These curves must be closed
curves. The puffed volume is then generated in the interior of these borders. These borders can be
selected by using the pick button in the dialog. When the user selects this button, the dialog
minimizes to allow the user to select the border curves. The selection can be completed by clicking on
the right mouse button or by depressing the Enter key on the keyboard.

Select Detail: The user can select these curves by using the pick button from the dialog. These
curves can be closed or open. These detail curves influence the final puffed shape, an example of which
is shown below. Selection of the detail curves is optional.

Puffing without interiors Puffing with interiors

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Create Swept Volume

This method is used for generating a volume along a curve by choosing a type of cross-sectional profile.
This helps the user to convert any two dimensional profile into a three-dimensional model with the help
of the parameters provided for its control.

This dialog can be invoked by selecting create swept volume button from the projects tab of the
browser. The various controls that make up this dialog are described below.

Name: User can specify a name for the operation and this name appears in the VisualART browser once
the operation is generated.

Type: Specifies the individual operations boolean overlay rule in generating the final operation

The following operation types are available

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• Create: Specifying this method creates 3D geometry and replaces existing geometry over the
project workspace.

• Unite: This operation adds the generated geometry to existing geometry in the workspace.

• Subtract: This operation subtracts the generated geometry from the existing geometry in the
workspace.

• Intersect: This operation intersects the generated geometry with the existing geometry in the
workspace

The sweep operation offers 4 cross-sectional curves as described below

Linear Cross-section: This outputs a triangular cross-section along the rail curve.

Convex Arc: This outputs a convex semi-circular cross-section along the rail curve.

Concave Arc: This outputs a concave arc cross-section along the rail curve.

Convex Ellipse: This outputs a convex elliptical cross-section along the rail curve.

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Linear Cross-section Convex Arc Cross-section

Concave Arc Cross-section Convex Ellipse Cross-section

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Pick Rail Curve: The user must pick a curve on which the cross-section will be swept. This is a
required input, and the operation will fail to create if no curve is specified. These curves can be selected
using the pick button . When the user selects this button, the dialog minimizes to allow the user to
select the border curves. The selection can be completed by clicking on the right mouse button or by
depressing the Enter key on the keyboard.

Fill Insides if Closed: This option is provided to fill the interior of a specified closed curve. The sweep
operation will be carried out, as normal and the interior of the curve will be raised to the maximum
height of the cross-section as shown below in an example.

The graph shown in the dialog can be used to modify the parameters of the cross-sections. This can be
achieved by simply dragging the blue marker in the dialog with the mouse. The co-ordinate display in
the top right of the dialog shows the current location of the mouse in the window. This is illustrated in
the figure below.

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Exact co-ordinate specification for the cross-section can be achieved by double clicking the mouse over
the marker dot. This brings up a dialog that will allow the user to specify the current position of the
marker. This can now be modified and the changes will be reflected in the output.

Scale: The graph scale can also be changed to suite user requirements. This can be achieved using the
scale edit box present in the window. The default value of the scale is set to 0.1. By using the up and
down arrow keys, the scale of the graph can be changed and will be reflected in the output graph.

The picture below shows the sweep function applied to a circle using different cross-sectional sweep
types.

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Linear Cross-Section Sweep Convex Arc Cross-Section Sweep

Concave Arc Cross-Section Sweep Convex Ellipse Arc Cross-Section Sweep

Create Curve from Images (Raster to Vector)

This method is used to convert image outline into curves (raster to vector). The first step is to convert
the image to a black & white image based on the threshold value. The next step is to convert the edges
between the black and white regions to curves that are made up of a combination of lines and arcs. The
user can specify tolerances for smoothness and also for arc fitting. The generated curves can then be
subsequently used for creating relief models using any of the operations described above.

This dialog can be invoked by selecting the Create Curve from Images button from the Raster
to Vector tab of the browser.

This launches the file open dialog to enable loading of the image file.

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On selecting the image file, the Convert Raster to Vector dialog appears as shown below. This dialog
displays the original image and the black and white image at the same time. Changing the parameters
used to control the appearance of the black and white image alters the preview of the image
dynamically. This provides the user rapid feedback on how the parameters affect the image conversion.

The section below describes each of the controls in the dialog.

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File Open: This toolbar button at the top of the dialog lets the user to load or reload a new image.

Operation Name: The user can specify a name for the operation and this name appears in the
VisualART Browser once the operation is generated.

Invert Black/White: The invert color option is provided for the user to be able to invert the black &
white image scale to white and black.

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At the bottom portion of the dialog there is a tabbed control that allows the user to perform two kinds of
edits. These are Image Edits and Vector Edits. These are described below:

Image Edits: These are the edits that can be applied to affect the change of a color bitmap file to a
black and white bitmap.

Filter Off: This feature converts the image to black/white image based on the threshold value
specified by the user.

Filter On: This feature converts the original image to a 32-bit image. This also allows the user to
filter out regions of the bitmap based on colors by checking the appropriate color checkbox in the
dialog. Depending on the color count of the image file the converted colors could range from few to a
maximum of 32 colors.

Threshold Criteria: The threshold criterion slider filters out pixels from the original image. The
left-hand preview box shows the original image. The right-hand preview box shows the image that
will result from the selected Black/White conversion method.

The threshold criterion does not apply when the Filter On is active.

Vector Edits: These are edits that can be applied to affect the conversion of the black and white image
to 2D curves.

Vector Parameters - Size and Insertion point: This allows the user to define the size (extents)
within which the curves are generated. The user can use the pick option under size to specify two
corner points that form a rectangle to define the size. Alternatively the user may specify an insertion
point either by specifying the first point or by using the pick option under insertion point and
specify the X & Y values for relief size in the dialog.

Resolution: This defines the accuracy for generating the actual 2D curves. Higher the resolution,
better the quality of the curves generated. However, too high of a resolution could cause large
amounts of memory usage with a corresponding slowdown in the relief model creation.

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Curve Fitting Tolerance: The user can specify tolerances for smoothing jagged edges as well as arc
fitting.

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The picture below shows the conversion of the actual image to a black/white image and then to curves
that represent the edges between the black and white areas.

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Export to VisualCAM

This allows the user to export the VisualART geometry to VisualCAM curves and meshes. The export
tool is located on the Relief Operations tab to export the relief (mesh) geometry to VisualCAM and on
the Raster to Vector tab to export the 2D curves to VisualCAM.

Once the user selects Export to VisualCAM a progress bar dialog is displayed to show the export
operation in progress.

Editing Relief Operations

Once a relief operation is created it listed in the VisualART browser under the Project Setup icon in a
tree control. The relief operations generated are listed in the order in which they were created.

The user can change the order of operations, delete, edit and rename operations using the browser.

These operations can be performed in the following ways:

1. Double click a specific operation icon to up the parameter dialog of the relief operation.
Parameters can be edited and the entire operation can be regenerated.

2. Select the operation and use right mouse click to show the list of edit options available for the
operation.

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3. Select an operation and use Drag and Drop to reorder.

4. Use keyboard shortcuts Ctrl + C, Ctrl + V, Delete to copy, paste and delete operations.

Changes can be made to any of the parameters that make up the operation. This type of editing is called
associative editing. This is because the edits made to the operation are saved with the operation and
upon regeneration the changes would be effected.

Regenerating the Project: Once the relief operations have been created and edited the user can then
select the Project Setup icon and click on the right mouse button to bring up the pop-up menu shown
below. The user can then select the Generate Project button to effect the changes to the entire project.

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Archiving Projects

Once relief projects are created they can be archived in the VisualCAM .vcp part files by simply saving
the VisualCAM file. These projects can then be retrieved when the .vcp file is loaded. It should be
noted that due to the large amounts of data these relief projects contain, all the data is not saved in the
.vcp file. Instead only the minimal amount of data necessary for the regeneration of these projects is
archived. The actual geometry of the relief projects can be recreated by regeneration of the operations
once the file and the project information that the file contains have been successfully loaded.

VisualART Preferences

VisualART Preferences allows the user to customize the File Load and Display options. Once the user
sets these parameters VisualART uses these settings every time VisualART is used.

Auto Regenerate Project on File Load: Checking this option automatically regenerates the archived
relief projects stored on a VisualCAM .vcp file. Leaving this unchecked causes the files to be loaded
without the operations being automatically regenerated. The user will then have to manually regenerate
the relief operations to create the relief geometry.

Display Projects in Single Relief Color: Selecting this option causes the display of the relief project
geometry in a single specified color. The color can be specified by clicking on the relief color button and
selecting the desired color in the Select Color dialog.

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Display Projects in Relief & Base Color: Selecting this option causes the project geometry to be
displayed in two colors as specified under Relief color and Base color. The user can click on the color
buttons to choose the corresponding color.

Display Projects in Single Relief Color Display Projects in Relief & Base Color

Base Z height: This value defines the base Z geometry. All areas of the geometry that have heights
equal to this defined height will be classified as base geometry and displayed using the base color. All
other geometry will be classified as relief geometry and displayed using the relief color. This option
will not be available if the user chooses to display the relief in one color.

Base Z height set to 0.1

Decimate Mesh on export: This feature is used to reduce the number of triangles in mesh by specifying
the aspect ratio, limiting length and chordal deviation. Note reducing the mesh could result in loss of
mesh resolution.

Closed Mesh Options: When creating an export mesh in VisualCAM the user can optionally close the
mesh and output a water tight mesh. This is important if you need to send the output mesh to be built on
stereo-lithography equipment. The user can create a closed mesh by simply closing the back face of the

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mesh or can create a mirror mesh and close the output mesh by merging this mirror mesh with the
original mesh. These options are illustrated below:

Open Mesh

Closed mesh with planar base

Closed mesh with mirrored base

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Tutorial 1: 3D Relief and Sweep Function

In this tutorial, you will learn do the following:

1. Create a 3D relief model from an image file,

2. Create a swept volume by sweeping a profile along a rail curve and

3. Finally apply this relief on to a ring model created in VisualCAM.

The instructions are accompanied by explanatory and introductory text. Reading this text will help you
understand the tutorial methodology and provide information about additional options available.
However, if you prefer to work straight through the steps without any additional reading, look for the
following symbol:

Don’t forget to save your work periodically! You may want to save the file under a different name so
that the original file will be preserved.

Loading VisualART

Launch VisualCAM and this should automatically bring up the VisualART plug-in. If VisualART fails
to load automatically then the installation of the VisualART product did not complete successfully. You
can attempt to manually load the plug-in by selecting the Application Plug-ins… from the Tools menu
item in the VisualCAM main menu bar. When the plug-in manager dialog comes up click on the Install
button and select the VisualART.vca from location where you installed VisualART. The default
location for this is C:\Program Files\ VisualCAM 1.0\Plug-ins\VisualART 1.0

Use the VisualCAM menu bar or the Standard toolbar buttons to create, load and save VisualCAM .vcp
files.

New: Creates a new file. The user can create a file that is in inches or millimeters units only.

Open: Loads saved .vcp files into VisualCAM. If VisualART’s relief projects were saved with the
.vcp files these projects will also be loaded during the file load operation.

Save: Saves the current file as a vcp file. If you have created any relief projects these projects will
automatically be saved in the VisualCAM file during the file save operation. We recommend saving
your work periodically and avoid losing data.

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VisualART Browser

The VisualART Browser appears to the left of the screen by default. It can be closed or set to auto hide
by clicking on the tools located on the top right of the browser. To re-display the hidden Browser
window, the user can access the Show Browser from the VisualART menu entry. Like all toolbars, you
can drag it to another location by clicking and dragging it by one of its corners. You can also resize it by
dragging one of its sides.

The Browser contains the following tabs:

Relief Operations Tab

Selecting this tab displays the project toolbar at the top of the Browser window.

Project Setup

This is the first step required before any relief operation is created. The Project Setup dialog defines the
workspace extents that the user will be using. Any geometry that is created outside of the workspace
setup will be ignored. The user also needs to specify the resolution of the workspace along with the
extents to define the quality of the relief model generated.

We will now create a project workspace with length = 2”, width = 2” and a resolution of 125 dots/inch.

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Note: The Project Extents can be specified manually or can be picked using the arrow button

from the Project Setup dialog. Pressing the pick extents button minimizes the
project setup dialog and the user is required to pick two points that are two corners of the project
extents rectangle. On selecting these points, the project setup dialog reappears along with the modified
extents values. Turn on the Grid Snap in VisualCAM to snap to the grid.

Switch to Perspective view and turn on the shaded display mode and the project workspace is displayed
on the screen. An icon called Project Setup is now listed in the VisualART browser.

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The user can double click on the Project Setup icon to bring up the Project Setup dialog again. This will
allow the user to edit and modify the project setup parameters if necessary.

Create 2 reference rectangles using the tools from VisualCAM (Geometry Bar->Lines->Rectangle)

Rectangle1: First Corner: (0,0) Second Corner (2,2) (X, Y)

Rectangle2: First Corner: (0.1,0.1) Second Corner (1.9,1.9) (X, Y)

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Create 3D Relief

We will now use the 3D Relief methods to generate a relief from an image file.

Select the 3D relief creation button from the Relief Operations tab of the browser

Select the FloralPattern.jpg and click open to load the image. This will bring up the Create Relief
dialog with a preview of the loaded image and the gray scale image of the same image displayed side by
side.

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Note: The allowable image file formats in VisualART are bmp, jpg, and gif.

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Select the following parameters in the dialog:

1. Set Operation type to Create

2. Turn on Invert Black/White

3. In the Image Edits tab leave everything as default settings

4. Switch to the Parameter Edits tab

a. Set Relief Height to 0.15

b. Use the mouse pointer to specify the relief size. Selecting the mouse pointer option
minimizes the dialog exposing the graphics screen for easy interaction.

c. Using end point snap pick the 2 corners of the inner rectangle (Rectangle #2).

d. Once the selection is complete the relief parameters should indicate the values as shown
below. Alternatively user may enter the values for relief size and insertion point.

e. Set the Smoothing factor to 10.

f. Click Generate to create the 3D Relief.

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The relief operation that is created is now listed under the Project Setup icon in the browser. The
3D relief geometry is now displayed in the graphics view-ports as well.

To modify the relief operation, double click on the Relief Operation icon under Project Setup. This
brings up the Relief parameters dialog. The user can make any of the desired changes to the
parameters and click on generate to apply the changes.

The generated relief is as shown below.

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Create Swept Volume

Using this method we will generate a volume along a curve by specifying a type of cross-section. This
helps the user to convert any two dimensional profile into a three-dimensional mesh model with the help
of the parameters provided for its control.

Select create swept volume button from the projects tab toolbar of the browser.

This loads the create Swept volume parameters dialog. Specify the following parameters for the Sweep
operation

1. Set the Operation Type to Unite

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2. Select the cross-sectional curve type to Convex

3. Use the Pick button to select the rail curve. Select the inner rectangle (Rectangle#2). Click the
right mouse button or depress the Enter key on the keyboard to complete the selection.

4. Un-check Fill inside if Closed option as shown below

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5. Specify the coordinate parameters by either selecting the blue handle on the shape display graph
and moving it to the appropriate location or double click on the curve to type in the coordinates.
Set X and Y coordinate to 0.192 each.

6. Click Generate to create the swept volume.

The operation is now listed in the browser and the swept volume is also displayed on the screen.
The user can now click on Project Setup icon in the browser to view swept volume and the 3D relief
applied to the workspace.

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Note: Selecting the individual relief operations in the Projects tree display of the browser will display
the geometry associated with each of the selected operations in the graphics view-ports. Selecting the
Project Setup icon, however, will display the combined geometry of the all of the sub operations of the
current project

Export to VisualCAM

This feature allows user to transfer the relief geometry created in VisualART to VisualCAM as a mesh.

Click on Export to VisualCAM button from the Projects tab browser toolbar as shown below. Note
that VisualART maintains the created geometry internally using a propriety format. Until this geometry
is exported to VisualCAM, they cannot be manipulated using VisualCAM tools.

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Working with VisualCAM Tools

Once the geometry is exported to VisualCAM as a mesh the user can then use VisualCAM tools and
commands to modify and transform the geometry.

We will now change the color of created mesh using tools from VisualCAM

1. Select Layer Manager to change the color of Default layer. The geometry
appears as shown below.

2. Under the Layer manager select the color properties and change this to a color of your choice.

3. From the drop down menu use File->Save to save the 3D Relief to save your work. The created
relief is as shown below.

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Tutorial 2: Create Curve from Images and Puffed Volume

In this tutorial we will learn to create curves from image files (Raster to Vector) and use these curves to
generate puffed volumes.

Create Project Setup

1. From the Relief Operations tab, select Project Setup to define a workspace

Define a project setup sheet with length = 3”, width = 4” and a resolution of 100 dots/inch.

The Project Extents can be specified manually or can be picked using the arrow button

from the Project Setup dialog. Pressing the pick extents button minimizes the
Project Setup dialog and the user is required to pick two points that are two corners of the project extents
rectangle. On selecting these points, the Project Setup dialog reappears along with the modified extents
values. Turn on the Grid Snap in VisualCAM to snap to the grid.

Now create 2 rectangles in VisualCAM with the following parameters. This step is optional, as the
created rectangles will not be used in any relief operations but are created only for convenience of
picking.

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Rectangle1: First Corner: (0,0) Second Corner (4,3) (X, Y).

Rectangle2: First Corner: (0.25,0.25) Second Corner (3.75,2.75) (X, Y).

The created workspace and the rectangle is as shown below.

Create Curve from Images (Raster to Vector)

Switch to the Raster to Vectors tab in the VisualART Browser.

1. Select Curve from Images button from the Raster to Vector tab toolbar of the browser.
This will launch the file open dialog to allow the user to load the image file.

2. Select rhino2.jpg as the image file to load.

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The Convert Raster to Vector dialog appears as shown below. The user can see the original image and
the preview of black/white image at the same time.

3. Adjust the Threshold value to sharpen the image. Use the slider bar to control the threshold.

4. Switch to the Vector Edits tab

5. Specify the extents for the curves to be created as follows:

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a. Use the mouse pointer to specify size for the image.

b. Using end point snap pick the 2 corners of the inner rectangle (Rectangle #2).

c. Once the selection is complete the dialog should indicate the values for the Size and the
Insertion Point as shown.

6. Set the Resolution to 150

7. Check Smooth Jagged Edges under Curve Fitting and set Tolerance to 0.0001

8. Click Generate to create the curves.

The created curves are displayed in the graphics window. Additionally a new operation is now listed in
the tree control under the Raster to Vector tab of the browser.

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Export to VisualCAM

This feature allows user to transfer the created geometry as VisualCAM curves.

Select Export to VisualCAM from the toolbar to export this geometry as curves to VisualCAM.
Note that VisualART maintains the created geometry internally using a propriety format. Until this
geometry is exported to VisualCAM, they cannot be manipulated using VisualCAM tools.

The created VisualCAM curve geometry will be displayed in the graphics view-ports as shown below.
These curves can now be used as regular VisualCAM geometry.

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Create Puffed Relief Using VisualCAM Geometry

Create a rounded rectangle using the VisualCAM CAD tools (Geometry Bar ->Lines->Rounded
Rectangle) with the following parameters.

First Corner: 0.125,0.125, Second Corner: 3.75,2.75, Radius: 1.5

The geometry appears as shown below. Go to File->Save to save your work.

Note: The coordinate values must be typed in the command bar in VisualCAM

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1. Switch to the Projects tab in the browser

2. Select create puffed volume button from the toolbar

3. Set the Operation Name to Puff Operation & Operation Type to Create

4. Select Spherical Puffing as the shape function and set the shape on the graph as shown
below.

5. For the puff Boundary use the Select Borders selection button and select the ellipse from the
geometry and use right mouse click or the enter key on the keyboard to complete the selection.

6. Set the Puffing Height to 0.4. This determines the maximum height of the relief

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7. Check the Smooth Geometry check box and set the Smoothing factor to 3 and generate the
relief.

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The puffed volume is generated and the operation name is listed in the browser under Project Setup
as shown below.

Create Puffed Relief Using Converted Geometry

In this section we will create a puffed volume by selecting the curves that we created using the Curves
from Images method earlier. We will unite the created relief model to the puffed volume created using
the ellipse.

1. Select create puffed volume button from the toolbar

2. Set the Operation Name to Puff Operation2 & Operation Type to Unite

3. Select Parabolic Puffing as the shape function and set the shape on the graph as shown
below.

4. For the puff Boundary use the Select Borders selection button and select the 2 outlines of the
VisualCAM image and use right mouse click or the enter key on the keyboard to complete the
selection. For the puff boundary Click on the arrow next to Select Borders. This minimizes the
Create Puffed Volume dialog.

5. Now use Select Details to select the curves inside the outer curves of the VisualCAM image.

The picture below indicates the selection.

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Select Borders

Select Details

6. Set the Puffing Height to 0.4. This determines the maximum height of the relief

7. Check the Smooth Geometry check box and set the Smoothing factor to 3 and generate the
relief.

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The puffed volume is generated and the operation name is listed in the browser under Project Setup as
shown below.

The user can now click on Project Setup icon to view the combined puffed volumes applied to the
workspace.

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Export to VisualCAM

Click on Export to VisualCAM from the Browser.

This will create a VisualCAM mesh as shown below. This mesh is now ready for machining or for any
other downstream application.

Go to File->Save to save your work

End of Tutorial 2!

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Additional Help Available

In addition to the features described in this guide, VisualART has many more operations designed to
make it easier for you to create 3D reliefs. VisualART’s complete on-line help provides reference
information for each of the VisualART features and functions.

If you need additional help, or if you have any questions regarding VisualART, first try the FAQ section
on our web site, www.mecsoft.com. Most of the common questions that users face are answered here.
Also visit the Training section of our web site for more comprehensive training material such as tutorials
and videos. You could also visit our Users Forum at our web site to learn from other VisualART users.
You are also welcome to contact our friendly technical support team via e-mail at
[email protected].

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Appendix I: Network Installation of VisualART

If you have purchased a network license of VisualART please follow the steps outlined below for the
proper installation of the network enabled hardware key.

1) Install the VisualART software on the server machine as well as all the client machines
connected to this server.

2) Install the dongle drivers on the server as well as all the client machines connected to this
server. (Install Hardware Drivers should be on the VisualART CD).

3) If you do not find it download it from http://www.safenet-inc.com/support/tech/sentinel.asp and

select Sentinel Super Pro Download and Run Sentinel Protection Installer v7.3.0

4) Install the Key server installation program: RainbowServerInstaller.exe on the server. You will
find this in the VisualART install directory, typically: C:\Program Files\MecSoft
Corporation\VisualART 1.0

5) Set an environment variable, VMILL_LICENSE_HOST on each of the client machines to the

servers’ IP Address. This can be done as follows:

a. Go to Start->Control Panel->System

b. From the System Properties dialog box that pops up select the Advanced tab.

c. Click on the Environment Variables button at the bottom.

d. In the Environment Variables dialog click on the New button under System variables

e. In the New System Variable dialog box that pops up, define

Variable Name = VMILL_LICENSE_HOST

Variable Value = IP Address of the server machine

Hit the OK button.

6) Now plug in the dongle (parallel/USB) to the port.

To work across different subnets, please do the following in addition to the above instructions,
open the UDP port 6001 in any router installed on the network, this will allow the
communication to go across.

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Appendix II: Trouble shooting VisualART Installation

Troubleshooting the Hardware Security Key

If you have installed the dongle driver and connected the dongle but VisualART is not running properly,
try restarting your computer. If that still does not work do the following:

For Users with USB Dongle (Hardware Key)

1. Close VisualART and remove the USB dongle.

2. Go to http://www.safenet-inc.com/support/tech/sentinel.asp and select Sentinel Super Pro

3. Download and Run the SSD Cleanup v1.1

4. Restart your computer

5. Go to http://www.safenet-inc.com/support/tech/sentinel.asp and select Sentinel Super Pro

6. Download and run Sentinel Protection Installer v7.3.0

7. Plug the dongle back in and launch VisualART 1.0

For Users with Parallel Dongle (Hardware Key)

1. Close VisualART.

2. Go to http://www.safenet-inc.com/support/tech/sentinel.asp and select Sentinel Super Pro

3. Download and Run the SSD Cleanup v1.1

4. Restart your computer

5. Go to http://www.safenet-inc.com/support/tech/sentinel.asp and select Sentinel Super Pro

6. Download and run Sentinel Protection Installer v7.3.0

7. Launch VisualART 1.0

If the above method does not work, download the Sentinel Medic from the Rainbow website
(http://www.safenet-inc.com/support/tech/sentinel.asp and select Sentinel Super Pro). Install it and go to
Start->Programs->Rainbow Technologies->Sentinel Medic. Click Find SuperPro and send the
following information that appears on the screen to [email protected], so that we can identify and
fix your specific problem:

1. System Driver Info

2. Status

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3. Description
4. Medic Says

Troubleshooting VisualART Display

If you are experiencing problems with the way VisualART appears on the screen, try the following:

For Windows ME, 2000 and XP:

1. Right-click anywhere on the desktop and select Properties from the menu.

2. Open the Settings tab and click Advanced.

3. Open the Troubleshoot or Performance tab and set Hardware acceleration to none.

If you are still having problems, reinstall the video drivers of your video card. Or you can try another
video card to see if the problem is specific to your card.

If VisualART opens as a minimized window and closes when maximized (this happens on rare
occasions, typically on computers with defective display cards), it is probably due to bad window
coordinates stored in your computer’s registry. Try the following to eliminate this problem:

1. Press Windows + R button.

2. Type in regedit and click OK.

3. In HKEY_CURRENT_USER / Software, delete the VisualART1.0 entry.

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