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Workflow with relief layers
Hi,
As time goes on I am doing more with relief layers. I don't have any particular questions but I notice certain, I am guessing default settings in the combine modes for each one. Sometimes, when I have a lot of layers, it seems that these defaults will change. I understand what the combine modes do I can go back and change but still lack the experience to manage many layers.
I am hoping to spark a general discussion about using them effectively and perhaps establishing a workflow. I am also curious about what the back relief layer icon is and how that is used with relief building.
Thanks to anyone interested.
Bill
Comments
Bill,
The back relief layers are for when you do a complete 3D model, I have used it very little guess that a jeweler would use it the most as would someone who would use a 4th axis to mill like some cabriolet legs for a table, something that would be outside of a 3-axis machine like mine.
When I (a lot here) use layers both my vectors and relief layers have the same name, if not then confusion is the name of the game.
I make it a habit to use layers (best part of an upgrade that Delcam ever did) with using layers you can, rather get to see what your model will look like if you did this on this layer or that on that layer, I use multiple when doing flowers, look at my new feature request and look at the videos I supplied, each petal was on a different layer, plus each one had another layer or two just to get it to look right, like I said this was by far the best improvement that Delcam ever came up with. It did take me a few years to figure that out but I have and really like using them, just wish sometimes that both the vector and relief layers would become automatic if you add a layer to one then the other would get it too.
The combine modes most of the time (not all) I use merge high, though I have use them all, I really didn't know that there was a default mode, I just change the layer to what I need at anytime, and haven't really noticed if they change, if they did that would sort of chap my hide a bit, but it's all fixable.
Mike
Thanks Mike
I like the idea of naming the vector and layer the same I can see how that will help me in the confusion I have in managing them. I know with time they will become more manageable for me, just thought I could start a conversation and get ideas from the experienced users like you that could give me incite into using them more effectively, I have also had difficulty in determining heights of merged layers when building, going back and forth with the merge paste tool.
Bill
Putting reliefs on layers makes modelling a lot easier by allowing you to move specific relief components around and scale, rotate etc as required. Many times I have modeled a relief, gotten down the pipeline and wished that I had it broken out into individual layers rather than a singular composite model.
It is important to understand that aside from what combine mode is selected on a per layer basis, that the position of a particular relief in the relief layer 'stack' can change how the overall combined/composite relief appears and functions...so if you have all your combine modes correct in the stack but you are still not getting what you are looking for, try moving things up or down.
Keep in mind that for MOST users, you can often do most of the things you want using just one layer as you build things up. A 2-rail sweep picture frame or something like that comes to mind. However, say you model an organic relief like a dog. You've got it exactly how you want it to be, but you want to add a hair texture to it and not mess up your base model. In that case, you would want to create a new layer with an Add combine mode, so you could toggle it on or off without messing up your base model so the hair sits on top. If you like what you see, just create a composite from visible layers & export as a relief. Now that you've done that...say you want it sitting in an oval dish that is carved out...same idea - add another layer and maintain the dynamic ability to have the smooth base model, the base + hair and the base + scooped out oval - or anything in between. That's the key with layers and what they do for you.
Regarding the Back reliefs, that is for 2-sided models. Everything is backwards from the front relief. A positive relief transferred to the back will appear negative & vice versa. It is useful if you wanted to say, take a scallop shell relief and scoop out the back. You'd machine the front & back with a manual flip between sides, although if you know what you are doing you can certainly code in a table turn for a 4th axis to flip the part over between front/back sides.
Let me just say that I didn't really start using layers until well after they were introduced in ArtCAM. Most of the things I did really didn't require it or I was importing existing work and then just modifying what I already had saved as a RLF model so having it sitting on a separate relief layer was redundant. I mention this because if you aren't real fluent with using layers they can be a bit cumbersome at first...and may not even be necessary for what you are doing. It IS certainly helpful if you are importing a bunch of different reliefs and trying to arrange them into a new design/motif OR You have something good - and then want to add other things to it and be able to move them around before totally committing.
Bill,
When you work with the layers you can always add or take away, don't forget that there is a gift of doubling or making 2 layers of the same, what's it called duplicate layer? I use this a lot just in case what I do screws things up, if I don't need it I just delete it after.
Have you taken a view of the videos I put in the feature request area? If you haven't here's the link https://support.carveco.com/hc/en-gb/community/posts/360043160471-Relief-Cookie-Cutter-and-Angled-Plane-tool-enhancements
Hopefully they will help, I did it as a quickie in order to get my ideas across.
Have a good one,
Mike
Hi Mike
You've shared a lot of great information, it will take me awhile to digest and put into practice. I will have to watch your video's a few times to take it all in. I must say how nice it is to have a place to ask questions after I think three years of using Artcam/ now Carveco do not mean to exclude Dillon and the other support people.
Thanks again
Bill
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