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3D Viewer

  Edit Bar controls: Destination Layer, Palettes, Favourites, Fold Angle, Board Settings, Favourites, Varnish, Favourites, Foil, Favourites, Texture Quality, Template, Favourites, Set Origin, 3D Wizard.  

This tool creates a folding model, based upon the options specified on the Edit Bar.

Destination Layer - allows you to create a new 3D type layer (named New 3D Layer, by default), which will contain a folding model representing the 2D design from the current drawing layer. If the current project already contains an existing 3D type layer, you can choose to create a folding model in that layer by picking the required layer name from the pull-down list, otherwise a new 3D type layer will be created, containing the folding model.

As with One_Up and Multi_Up type layers, 3D layers can be renamed via the Layer Properties form.

Palettes - allows you to specify which palettes (and palette types) will behave as Cut, Crease, Reverse Crease, Perf, Score, Non Print, Foiling, Embossing, Debossing, Delamination, Acetates and Other entity types. Palettes Settings are stored as Master Tool Settings for quick configuration & ease-of-use.

NOTE: These settings are important as they govern the way in which geometry can fold or cut and receive visual enhancements such as Foil, Varnish or Acetate coatings and/or height adjustments (for Embossing, Debossing or Foil palettes).

Fold Angle - allows you to specify a global fold angle for folding faces. Unless an entity has a 3D fold angle (or fold angle variable) assigned to it within the 2D layer, the global fold angle will be applied.

To specify a 3D fold angle (or assign a fold angle variable) to an entity, select the entity (or entities) and modify the Fold Angle or Fold Angle Variable on the Line tab of the Entity Inspector Standard Toolbox.

Board Settings - allows you to pick a Board setting for the folding model. These settings can contain a material thickness; fold-centre; textures (or solid colours) representing folding box board, corrugated board or other material types; transparency and Rule Definition options. 

Varnish - allows you to apply a varnish coating to a folding model, or select <None> from the pulldown. Varnish settings consist of brightness & sharpness values. Higher levels of brightness will reflect more light, whilst higher sharpness levels will reflect a higher level of detail. Varnish settings are stored as Master Tool Settings for quick configuration & ease-of-use.

NOTE: The selected Varnish coating will be applied to the outside/print face of a folding model. Any closed areas consisting of geometry in a palette designated as Non Print type will not receive a Varnish coating.

Foil - allows you to apply a foil coating to a folding model, or select <None> from the pulldown. Foil settings consist of colour & reflection options, embossing/debossing depth controls, texture direction & resolution controls plus optional Base, Gloss & Bump texture maps.

NOTE: The selected Foil coating will be applied to the outside/print face of a folding model. Any closed areas consisting of geometry in a palette designated as Foil type will receive a Foil coating.

Texture Quality - choose from Low/Medium/High/Very High/Unlimited. Low will allocate 1024 x 1024 pixels to each face (inside/outside or die face/print face) of the folding model. Medium will allocate 2048 x 2048 pixels, High will allocate 4096 x 4096 pixels, Very High will allocate 8192 x 8192 pixels, whilst Unlimited will pass through all pixels present in the 3D layer. The Very High and Unlimited quality settings will give the best possible artwork quality, although this will increase rendering time and generate a larger project size when saved, and potentially do the same to any output when exported.

WARNING: The 'Unlimited' option allows for the creation of very large textures which could cause performance issues or instability on lower powered hardware.

If you choose a texture quality that is higher than the maximum allowed in the Workstation Options then you will see a suitable warning message if you start the tool without using the 3D Wizard:-

WARNING: Your current 'Max. Texture Size' is lower than the 'Texture Quality' option selected. Choose (Ok) to continue and update 3D workstation options or (Ignore) to continue with the current limit.

Template - allows you to specify a template for the 3D scene, or select <None> from the pulldown. The Template attributes (background style & colour, floor options, lights, materials, visibility, environment settings etc.) will be applied to the 3D scene.

Each time you use the 3D Viewer tool, the selected template attributes will be added to the 3D scene. If you are creating a multi-part 3D scene, it's recommended to set the Template option to <None> after the initial 3D layer has been created. This will avoid over-lighting the scene, due to accumulated light sources.

Set Origin - There is an option in the 3D Wizard to set the 3D layer origin to the identified point. However, you can use this option to do the same thing without using the 3D Wizard. The usual Impact Snap Modes are available for use here, so that you can specify an exact point for the origin.

3D Wizard - takes you through a Wizard-style interface, prompting for each 3D property and provides additional options such as Texture Quality, Curve Tolerance, visual geometry checks and image-based Varnish, Foil and Embossing/Debossing options. This is a toggle setting that you can switch on or off. If it is switched on, the Wizard will start after you have selected the base panel, as described below.

Favourites - any of the Master Tool Settings on the edit bar can be designated Favourites  for quick access.

Running the tool

Run the tool and select the required Edit Bar options. Click the panel which will represent the base of the design. This panel will be positioned on the 'floor' of the 3D scene. A folding model will be created, in accordance with the Edit Bar options.

For multi-part designs, create a 3D view of each 2D layer and limit yourself to one 3D layer. 3D objects can then be aligned via 3D > Object > Align.

NOTE: You cannot fold the base panel of a folding model. If you wish to demonstrate the folding of the base panel as part of an animation, it may be preferable to select a side panel as the base. You can modify a folding model to change the base panel after creation - you can do this via the Properties form.

Related topics: Notes On 3D Tools, Palettes, Board SettingsVarnish, Foil, 3D Scene Templates, 3D Wizard, Favourites

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