It would be nice to have a function called Bevel that would take a plane and extrude while applying a radius profile. You can do the same using extrude plus fillet, except fillet doesn't work well in tight V shape areas because the profile wants to fold back on itself. Is variable radius fillet the answer here?

I'm just thinking out loud here, but I often want to take a shape like the Kanji Characters and turn them into solids with nice rounded edges, regardless of the shape. Much like cutting the shape out of flat aluminum stock and letting it run in the tumbler for a couple of days. The analogy is that in a tumbler, the edges that stick out will get rounded more than the tight recesses that are not as exposed to the tumbling media.

Ed

Hi Ed, I do want to add a function called "Tapered extrude" which I think is what you are talking about. Originally I had hoped to include this for v2 but it does not look like that will happen currently, so probably in v3.

You can actually get the same result though currently by using Offset on the curve, then moving the offset in the Z direction and doing a Loft. Check out this previous post for an example:
http://moi3d.com/forum/index.php?webtag=MOI&msg=941.5

- Michael

Ed,
Blend will make a nice edge around this charater, but the thickness is limited to where it will fold in on itself. SO the original thickness couldnt be acheived using this.

Make a duplicate character and move it up a bit in Z, then planar both and delete the curves. Now select edges of the 2 surfaces and blend. You'll have to drop the value down till it fits nicley.

Pilou's solution will work also, you'll just have to toolpath "both sides" to get the opposing direction "fillets", but it could still make a nice cut. Good catch Pilou!

Thanks Pilou for the great example of rail revolve.

Michael, Thanks for the "Taper Extrude" link.

Joe

Hello All,

Just wanted to pass on a finished carve image of my Chinese character.
Until I get up to speed on Moi and ZBrush I ended up using another package to create the bevel on the character.

I also wanted to thank everyone for all of the great assistance.

Thanks

Joe

Excellent work Joe!

Nice work Joe.

I take it this was one solid piece? How long did it take to cut?

Ed

Thanks Burr,

Ed, Yes, Carved from 3/4" purple heart wood. It took 45 minutes to carve. The character is relief cut at .25 inch.

Thanks

Joe

Thanks Burr,

That is definitely a technique I can use for some future projects I have in mind.

Joe