Option Optic3D > Features > 3D Surfaces

This sub chapter describes the available settings for the projection onto a surface defined by STL model.

The STL configuration can be accessed by selecting STL from the 3D Surface drop-down menu and clicking the Settings button.

STL_settings

Figure 509: 3D STL Configuration Dialog

The STL model can be loaded using Load STL or by entering the file path directly in the input field. The model defines the target surface onto which the vectors are projected.

Transformations:

Center in Field: If this checkbox is enabled, the STL file will be centered in the X Y plane of the coordinate system of SAMLight. The top level of the STL will be at Z = 0 of the coordinate system of SAMLight. The centering of the STL file is executed before the Offset is applied but after Rotation and Scale are executed.

X Y Z Offset: The STL model is translated by the defined offset in the corresponding direction.

Rotation: Rotation can be defined around all three axes, i.e. XY Rotation is around Z axis, ZX Rotation around Y axis and ZY Rotation around X axis. If this transformation is applied, the STL file will be rotated with respect to the coordinate system of SAMLight. Please note that the ZY Rotation is defined to be negative, while the other rotation options are positive. Positive Rotations are defined to be counter-clockwise when the rotation axis is pointing towards the user.

Rotate around STL Origin: If this checkbox is enabled, the defined rotation will be applied with respect to the origin of the STL file. If not, the rotation is applied on the central point of the model.

X Y Z Scale: Defines the scaling factor applied to the STL model along the respective X, Y or Z axis.

Advanced:

Line Splitting Length: Defines the distance along a line after which an additional point is generated and transformed onto the 3D surface. Each line is processed independently.

Preview DPI: Defines the resolution which will be used when the STL file is displayed in the View2D.

Please see below an example of a projected text entity in the View2D (left) and 3D View (right). Please note that the 3D View can be activated by clicking on the icon in the toolbar.

STL_2D

Figure 510: 2D View of STL Model

STL_3D

Figure 511: 3D View of STL Model

note

For optimal marking quality, keep the marking area centered beneath the laser. Moving it too far away from the center reduces the laser incidence angle and may result in lower marking quality.

If the STL surface contains steep or highly inclined areas, better marking results can often be achieved by projecting the vectors from above, exporting the 3D vectors via CCI, and subsequently rotating the vectors to the desired angle. For additional information, refer to Marking on the side of a 3D surface.

	Only Black&White Bitmaps can be marked on top of a STL projection, grayscale bitmaps are not supported.

note

For Multihead systems, it is possible to either load and modify one STL per head or load one STL for all heads.

	Please note that points and point clouds are not visible in the 3D preview.