Wrap - Image

The Wrap Model dialog box's Image tab allows you to wrap an image file, directly onto a triangle model.

Wrapping images onto triangle models updates the existing triangle model creating a hybrid image/triangle model rather than a new model.

Note: If you want to wrap a model over the whole of a model, for example a triangulated ArtCAM relief, you can simply append the two files. CopyCAD matches the bottom left corners (0,0) of the image and the triangle model. The top right corner of the image and triangle model have a TU value of (1,1). For this to work correctly, the image must be in the same general orientation as the model.

Image wrapping can be used for a variety of purposes:

• To colour a triangle model, which can then be saved as a colour STL model. Some Rapid Processing machines can produce colour physical models, based on colour STL models.
  
  
• To create a model from which a wrap map can be exported for use in PowerSHAPE's Emboss module.
  
  
• To wrap a grid model, by converting it into a greyscale image. This provides an alternative wrapping technique for reliefs and other gridline models. This technique uses a different process to the other wrapping options and may be more suited to some gridline models.

Wrapping a grid model as an image also has the advantage of being able to clearly view what the model will look like. This model can be saved as a wrap map for export into PowerSHAPE for use in embossing CAD surfaces and solids.

The examples below show the Mozart example relief wrapped and triangulated using image wrapping and standard wrapping. You can see that the distortion is slightly different for each method.

Image wrapping (with a 3D depth of 10)

Standard Wrapping

The Wrap Model dialog box's Image tab is divided into different areas where you can specify how you want the wrap to be carried out.

You use the Model Reference Plane (for grid to image conversion) area only if you are wrapping a grid. You must define a point on the grid model's base plane that you want to match to a point on the triangle model:

• Select User defined plane to use the Define Plane button to the right. This displays the Define Plane dialog box, which you can use to define the point and normal that you want to use as the relief reference position.
  
  
• Select Model minimum Z plane to use a point at the centre of the relief at its minimum Z value and with a Z plane normal vector.
  
  
• Select Z zero plane to use the point at the centre of the relief on the zero Z plane and with a Z plane normal vector.

You use the Wrap onto (triangle model) area to select the model onto which you want to wrap the current model. Click on this list box to display a list of models open in the current CopyCAD session, and click on a triangle model to select it.

You use the Wrap start position (on triangle model) area as follows:

• Select Centre of Triangle Model to match the model's reference point to the centre of the triangle model
  
  
• Select Model pre-positioned if the relief is already positioned correctly over the triangle model
  
  
• Select Define XY position to match the model's reference point to a different position on the triangle model.

If you select this option you must enter the position in the XY centre position boxes below.

You can use the Wrap size area to change the size of the relief before it is wrapped onto the base model. By default, the Scale factor is set to 1 to keep the model the same size. You can change the model's size by entering a scale factor. This option can be particularly useful when used in conjunction with the Preview option, and avoids the need to scale a model prior to wrapping the model.

You can use the Wrap orientation (image rotation in degrees) area to define the direction, in degrees from the X axis, in which you want the relief to be wrapped around the model from the Wrap start position.

For details for how to use the Options area, see Using the Wrap Options.

More:

Wrap Model - Overview