I am trying to use MOI (V5 Beta) to create a template for a clock dial. I want to print it out either to use as a mask for photo etching, or to make a waterslide decal which can be applied.

I have successfully created the template, using planar surfaces to create the roman numerals and indices round the edges. However when I try to export the resulting set of surfaces as a PDF for printing, all I get are the edges of the surfaces rather than the solid filled surfaces. I have (I think) tried all the options in the export dialogue, but nothing seems to want to export the filled surfaces.

Am I being thick ( not unusual) or is there no simple way to do this. If its the former, could someone point me at my error. If the latter can someone suggest a workflow that would work.

Hi wisty, for PDF export the way it works is that surface fills can be exported as a background bitmap image underneath the vector outlines, if you have the "Shaded background" option checked.

That's so something like a sphere with a shaded surface that isn't just one single color throughout can come through.

In your case when you say you want to print it, do you mean on something like an inkjet printer or are you talking about a CNC cutting device?

If it's an inkjet printer if you check the "Shaded background" option during export from MOI you should be able to load it into Adobe Reader and be able to print it out filled.

If it's for CNC it's probably different and the CNC is likely to ignore the background bitmap image.

If that's the case then you might need to use a 2D vector editing program like Affinity Designer to edit the PDF file to have a fill set on the vector shapes. And instead of making surfaces to export make closed curves only.

There is not currently a way to make vector fills in MOI's PDF export. That's because something like a shaded sphere is difficult to reproduce as filled vectors.

- Michael

Thank you Michael, worked perfectly. Yes it's to print on an inkjet. I just didn't connect the "shaded background" with the idea of fill.
Thanks again for MoI and the help on this forum. Looking forward to V5 release.