Emboss vs. Decal Feature
Most embossed or engraved features and decals include text to represent logos, symbols, instructions, and so on.
Use the Text command to create text used in an embossed (or engraved) feature. You select the text as a profile, and then extrude or cut it on the model. To change it, you edit the sketch, and then edit the text.
Unlike the Emboss command, the Decal command uses an image. The image originates as an image file and you add it to a part sketch. You must manipulate the text size and content in the software where it was created. You can modify the image size in the sketch, but its aspect ratio remains unchanged.
The Emboss command:
- Uses a profile (sketch geometry or sketch text) on a part face to raise (emboss) or lower (engrave) a design.
- Can provide a surface for a decal or painting.
- Can provide clearance for another component in an assembly.
The Decal command:
- Uses a .bmp, .jpg, .png, .doc, or .xls image.
- Is created in its own part file so it can span part seams and gaps between components in assemblies.
- Can be applied across holes, slots, dimples, bumps, and so on.
- Uses assembly constraints for positioning.
About Decals
Decals are available in part sketches only, not assembly sketches.
You insert an image in a sketch, position it using constraints and dimensions, and then create a decal feature.
When creating a decal, you can opt to wrap it to planar faces, cylinders, and conical faces. The decal conforms to the face shape without distortion or projection.
When creating decals that conform to face shape:
- The sketch plane with the decal image must be tangential or parallel to the face that receives the decal.
- The normal direction for both the sketch plane and the destination face (for the decal) must point in the same direction.
Note: If the decal is not visible, the normal direction of the sketch plane is likely different from the face. If the sketch plane with the decal image is a work plane, edit the sketch. Then right-click the work plane and select Flip Normal to reorient the normal direction.
- The face that receives the decal must be equal to or larger than the decal. If smaller, the decal image is cut off.
- Avoid positioning the decal image so that it overlaps a corner. The decal is cut off at the edge because it cannot smoothly wrap to both faces.
If you don’t wrap the decal to a face, the selected faces do not have to be tangent to one another. Their position can be at any angle except normal.
You can apply a decal:
- Across a boss or pocket. The decal does not pour into the pocket.
- On faces that are not perpendicular. The decal stops when it encounters a perpendicular face.
- On faces where the image is not distorted. For example, avoid sharp changes in angle; the image is projected when the selected face angles.