Problem with importing text and using Extrude

Problem with importing text and using Extrude

I am having a problem with some text when I import it into Cheetah. Would you be able to help me and tell me where I am going wrong? I have been using Cheetah 3D for a couple of weeks so the solution may be obvious to someone more experienced.

Everything seems fine until I try and add a bevel to the text and then several “spiky” bits appear on some of the letters. For clarity I have shown the steps below and then a picture of step 5 and 6. I am using the word ‘barcode’. The spikes are still there even after I have rendered the scene.

In Illustrator:
1. Select ‘barcode’ as in picture Step 1 and make a compound path.
2. Save as SVG file.

In Cheetah:
3. Import SVG file – 2 paths appear in the Object Browser.
4. Add 2 Extrude objects and drop one Spline path object onto each.
5. Manipulate Extrude objects until they appear as in picture Step 5 (so far so good).
6. Add bevel to both Extrude objects and this when “spikes” appear as in picture Step 6.

I created the text in Illustrator by tracing another text and adapting it to give it a ‘21st century’ feel. Could this be causing the problem?

Any help would be really appreciated.

Hi.
I know this issue quite well and it belongs to supernumerary points introduced while converting from text to paths.
Have look here:
http://www.cheetah3d.de/forum/showpost.php?p=7911&postcount=8

If you´re not able to solve the prob I can try it.

With kindest regards
Frank

Hi Frank
Many thanks for your help so far. What you described made sense so I had a crack at it but still seem to have the same problem. I tried highlighting the points where the worst problem is and then choosing Object>Path>Join from the menu but only get the attached message . It's probably quite fundamental but I am not sure what to do next.
I know the problem originates in Illustrator and this is a Cheetah forum but other Illustrator users I have spoken to (none of whom use Cheetah) understand what the problem is.
So, I would be really grateful for any assistance you can provide me with this. Let me know if you would like me to send you the file.
Thanks again Frank.

Bigahooni said:

So, I would be really grateful for any assistance you can provide me with this. Let me know if you would like me to send you the file.

Click to expand...

C'mon send it over.

Frank

try saving as a pdf and importing.

Remember when you asked me why I cut up paths the way I did in a simpler situation Frank? This is why.

The safest option for importing paths into ANY 3D app is to simplify your path so it's a single closed loop. In the case of a hollow figure, such as the letter "O" or your logo there, this can involve cutting incisions into the compound path making it into a single path with small gaps. You can then close the gaps by moving the vertices, or whatever. The result will guarantee a clean import into the 3D program.

That said, C3D *can* handle hollow figures most of the time if you get the export just right.