Draft ShapeString

Description
The ShapeString tool inserts a compound shape that represents a text string. Text height, tracking and font can be specified. The resulting shape can be used with the Part Extrude tool to create 3D letters.

The Draft Text tool is a simpler alternative that does not produce a closed shape.



How to use

 * 1) Press the  button, or press  then  keys
 * 2) Click a point on the 3D view, or type a coordinate
 * 3) Enter the desired text, press
 * 4) Enter the desired size, press
 * 5) Enter the desired tracking, press
 * 6) Press  to accept the displayed font file, or,
 * 7) Press  to select a font file.

Options

 * To enter coordinates manually, simply enter the numbers, then press between each X, Y and Z component.
 * Pressing will cancel the operation.
 * You can set a default font file in Draft/Prefences.

Properties

 * : The base point of the compound shape
 * : The contents of the text string
 * : The height of the letters in FC units
 * : The inter-character spacing in FC units
 * : The font definition file used to draw the string

Scripting
The ShapeString tool can be used in macros and from the Python console by using the following function:


 * Creates a  compound shape using the specified
 * is mandatory and must be the full path of a supported font file
 * is the height of the resulting text in millimeters
 * is the additional inter-character spacing in millimeters

Example:

Selecting A Font


ShapeString uses the internal geometry of a font to make FreeCAD shapes. To do this it must read the actual font file (*.tff, etc). If the Font Selection box is empty, you must type the full path to the font file or use to select a font file.

Limitations

 * This tool is not available in FreeCAD versions anterior to 0.14
 * TrueType(*.ttf), OpenType(*.otf) and Type1(*.pfb) font files are supported.
 * Very small text heights may result in deformed character glyphs due to loss of detail in scaling.
 * The current version is limited to left-to-right layouts on a horizontal baseline.
 * For creating curved text you can use the macro FCCircularTextButtom.pnglar Text

Tutorials

 * Draft ShapeString tutorial