TextMachine 3D Tutorials

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Textures, 3DShapes and 3DModels
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In this tutorial you will learn how to:

 

Load Textures to Text Objects

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Introduction

Each 3D text object in TextMachine 3D can be textured with an image of your choice.

If you have a full 3D text object (extrusion > 0) the text itself is textured else you will have the text object box textured.

Note: Only 3D text objects allow this functionality. 

How to set the Texture of a 3D text object

  • Double click on the Text background color box

  • Select the image you want to apply to the text object#

Examples

Start TextMachine 3D and drag/drop the presets below to the TextMachine 3D design pane.

Simple Texture

3D extruded text with texture

 

Use 3D Shaped Text Objects

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Introduction

With TextMachine 3D you can shape your text objects to circles, waves and spirals

The Shape window is opened from the main user interface as shown in the screenshot.

Below you will find examples of circle, wave and spiral shape

Note: Only 3D text objects with extrusion=0 allow this functionality. 

Circle Shape
Circle Control Description

R 
Radius of the circle


Smoothness of the circle. Decrease to get a polygon e.g. 5 for pentagon

T 
Amount of text tiling inside the circle.

Note: The appearance of the circle depends also on the Font Name, Font Size and the Bounding Rectangle in the Preview/Design Pane.

 

Example

Start TextMachine 3D and drag/drop the preset below to the TextMachine 3D design pane.

Wave Shape
Wave Control Description

A
Amplitude of the wave

S
Size of the wave

P
Phase Shift - increment for moving waves

T
Amount of text tiling inside the wave.

Note: The appearance of the wave depends also on the Font Name, Font Size and the Bounding Rectangle in the Preview/Design Pane.

 

Example

Start TextMachine 3D and drag/drop the preset below to the TextMachine 3D design pane.

Spiral Shape
Spiral Control Description

R
Radius of the spiral

C
Revolution count of the spiral arm

S
Smoothness of the spiral. Decrease to get a polygonal spiral

T
Amount of text tiling inside the spiral.

Note: The appearance of the spiral depends also on the Font Name, Font Size and the Bounding Rectangle in the Preview/Design Pane.

Example

Start TextMachine 3D and drag/drop the preset below to the TextMachine 3D design pane.

 

Load 3D Models from 3DS and X- Files

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Custom Mesh Control Description

Load
Load 3D Model in 3DS or X File format
Note: TextMachine 3D always converts 3DS to X File format for faster loading

T
Keep original textures of 3D model
On=3D model textures are used
Off=You can map text, pictures and videos on your 3D model

Z
Z position of the 3D model - up = far, down = near

Information Text
The information text displays the filename of the 3D Model, and its face (F) and vertex (V) count.

Important Note:
Always define the texture mapping coordinates of your 3D model in the application where it has been created before exporting it as 3DS or X File.

Introduction

With TextMachine 3D you can load 3D models from 3rd party applications such as 3D Studio Max, Cinema 4D etc.

You can use this functionality to add textured 3D objects to your TextMachine 3D Preset.
You can also render your text, images and video clips defined in TextMachine 3D to your 3D model.

Supported 3D file formats are 3DS and X Files

Note: Only 3D text objects with extrusion=0 allow this functionality. 

How to add a 3D Model

  • To open the 3D Shape control window click "Shape" on the main user interface, then toggle the 3D Shape button as shown in the screenshot.

  • Click on the Load Button to load your 3D model.

  • Adjust the Z slider to adjust the "size" of your 3D model.

  • To keep the texture defined in your 3D model toggle the "T" texture button

  • To render text or textures defined in TextMachine 3D toggle the "T" texture button off.

Examples

Start TextMachine 3D and drag/drop the presets below to the TextMachine 3D design pane.

Earth model with texture

Sphere model with custom text

Cube model with counter

Cube model with dictionary text

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