About wrapping

Wrapping allows you to add extra detail, complex 3D logos and artwork onto surface or solid models by wrapping the detail onto or around the shape of the model. For example, adding artwork to standard jewellery molds, adding grip texture to plastic moldings or adding detail and logos to shoe soles. For areas where an electrode is used for manufacture, the wrap detail can be applied either to the actual part or directly onto a previously extracted electrode body.

Note: The availability of Wrap functionality is license dependent.

The type of wrapping strategy you use depends on the shape of the base model and how you want the relief to appear.

The following options start the Wrap Wizard:

• Wireframe tab > From Selection panel > Wrap > Unwrap — unwraps curves from surfaces and solids.
• Wireframe tab > From Selection panel > Wrap — wraps wireframe objects onto surfaces and solids.
• Surface tab > Create panel > Wrap — wraps onto a triangle, surface, or solid creating a wrap with no dependencies.
• Solid tab > Feature panel > Wrap — wraps onto a solid creating an entry in the solid feature tree. This feature can be modified as required.

The Wrap Wizard changes automatically into the Rewrap Wizard depending on the stage of the wrapping process you have reached.

1. For best results begin by unwrapping from a surface or solid. For example, you may have a model that already contains detail that can be unwrapped, or you may need to create the geometry first by sketching curves onto the solid or surface.

   Unwrapping gives you back the wireframe edge curves so that when you rewrap the object, the wrap is a perfect match and positioned precisely.

2. When the curves are unwrapped from the object you can add more detail using PowerShape or ArtCAM:
   • Designing with PowerShape — If necessary, use the tools on the Mesh Tools tab to fix the mesh.

     For example, you can smooth triangle symbols to improve the appearance of the faceted triangle mesh.

   • Designing with ArtCAM — export the unwrapped wireframe as a .PIC file into ArtCAM. Export the completed design back into PowerShape as a DMT file ready for wrapping.
   Note: For best results, the triangle mesh of an imported DMT file must be a watertight C (boat - open topped) rather than a O (submarine - closed shape). If it is a O (closed shape) the target surface will not be trimmed correctly.
3. When the wrap design is completed, you Rewrap onto the target object.