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Decal label map problem

Question asked by John Charny on Nov 19, 2008
Latest reply on Jan 6, 2009 by John Charny

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I have an application where I want to apply a decal to a surface with a compound curve. For a variety of reasons, I want to use a label map rather than a projection map. I have found it works much better if I apply it to a solid body rather than a lofted surface. However, it is not obvious how Solidworks decides to fit the image onto the surface and there appear to be very limited controls available. When I do this the image doesn't look like it really would. Does anyone have any insight as to what is going on with this type of map?

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Jeff Mowry Nov 19, 2008 5:11 PM
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Not sure--but if a true label were applied to a compound surface, you'd have wrinkling problems (unless it was a label of very stretchy material). Maybe that's a bit of what you're seeing with this setting. It probably depends a lot on the specific surface you're trying to apply the image onto.
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- John Charny @ Jeff Mowry on Dec 5, 2008 8:32 PM
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  You are probably correct. I suspect that label maping wasn't designed for compound curves, but that is the need that I have. It does work to some extent, but I'm not sure how it is warping the image. That's what I'm trying to find out.
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  - 1-4EQZIJ_old @ John Charny on Dec 5, 2008 8:45 PM
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    The general rule of thumb, with label mapping a decal, is if the decal would wrinkle in the real world it will likely not map as desired in PhotoWorks. Label mapping works best when the faces onto which the decal is to be applied are tangent, contiguous and have a common edge size (i.e. if face A shares a single edge with Face 1 and Face 2 the edge size is not the same between Face A and Face 1). Note there are many cases where an uncommon edge size will still map as desired but there are few cases where non-tangent non-contiguous faces will map as desired. Though of course "map as desired" is subjective. Again, the rule of thumb is if the decal will wrinkle in the real world it will likely not map as desired in PhotoWorks using label mapping.
    
    One thing you might try is to apply the same decal several times to the desired faces using label mapping. If I had three non-tangent faces onto which I wanted to apply the decal I would apply the decal three time (once for each non-tangent face) and line the edges of the decal up with the edges of the decal on the other face.
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    - John Charny @ 1-4EQZIJ_old on Dec 22, 2008 8:12 PM
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      Thanks for the info Marion.
      
      When you applied the label three times did you "cut it up " and then peice it together at the joints?
      
      Have a good holiday,
      John
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    - John Charny @ 1-4EQZIJ_old on Jan 6, 2009 8:00 PM
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      Marlon,
      Oops that's what I get for being in a rush that day.
      I apologize.
      I hope your holiday was good.
      Regards,
      John
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Decal label map problem

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