VS3D Edit Menu

1.2.3 Nesting, Hub/Die, Normal Offset.

"Nesting" : This operation can be used to arrange multiple instances of a shape on a sheet. Before this operation can be performed, a region (shape) must be defined using the Region tools. The current region defines the shape that will be packed (nested) together on the surface. In general, it is best if the defined region covers a relatively small percentage of the whole sculpture grid (one-third or less of the total area).

The first instance of the shape will be placed at the lower left corner of the sculpture grid. Subsequent instances will be packed around the first. If the final result is unsatisfactory, use the "Edit / Undo Surface" and/or "Edit / Undo Region" menus to undo the nesting. When this function is selected, the "Nesting Parameters" dialog will appear. This dialog has four settings:

• "Nest Elements" : This controls what is actually nested - the region outline only, the sculpted surface within the region, or both simultaneously.
• "Spacing" : The minimum XY distance (measured in Data coordinates) between the placement of each instance. The smaller the distance, the longer the Nesting algorithm will take to run, but the tighter the packing. This value is an indication only, and instances will generally be spaced at least this far apart. Instances will also be spaced this far away from the edge of the sculpture grid.
• "Rotation Increment" : This is the allowed rotation increment (in degrees) for each instance. At each point, the shape will be rotated in a full circle and checked at each Rotation Increment to see if it fits. A smaller Rotation Increment will take longer to run, but can result in tighter packing. When nesting simple square/rectangular shapes, it is often best to use a Rotation Increment of 90, 180, or "None" (360).
• "Background Height" : This specifies the surface height that will surround the instances of the shape. This parameter only has effect when the "Nest Elements" parameter is set to "Region and Surface" or "Surface Only".

"Edit / Make Hub/Die" : Selecting this menu will cause the existing sculpture surface to be changed from a hub to a die (or vice versa). For example, if the current sculpture is of a normal coin, selecting this menu will cause the surface to be turned into a die which could be used to stamp the coin. This is actually just a convenient combination of two operations: Mirroring the surface, and multiplying all surface heights by (-1.0). To undo this operation, just select the "Edit / Make Hub/Die" menu again.

"Edit / Normal Offset..." : This function will offset all surface heights, in perpendicular (normal) directions to the surface, by a specified offset height (plus or minus). The Normal Offset dialog has fields for the offset height and the area mode (entire surface or in the region only). This function is useful when making a pair of dies for embossing a sheet of material of a constant thickness. The gap between the dies (the material thickness) will be equal to the specified Height Offset. This operation can take a significant amount of time to complete when the offset distance is relatively large.

1.2.3 A