Each name plaque offers a unique challenge and is a great exercise to learn or review a tack in EnRoute. For some, like Sharon's it meant doing things in a particular order. As always I started with the vectors I needed.
To combine the riveted tabs with the rectangle, the quickest and easiest way was to remove the lettering and then use the jigsaw tool to create a new vector. I then deleted the original tabs and border.
I then created a new rectangle using an offset of the outside vector. This would be used to create the domed inside portion of the plaque. The lettering was then brought back in and positioned.
This relief was then modified using the tabbed rectangle to sink the middle portion. I then Used the second inside rectangle (without the tabs) to create a new dome shaped relief. I applied a wiggly line bitmap to this area.
After checking and positioning the center portion in the front view I then merged highest with the base relief.
Then I used the dome tool once more to create the rivets on the tabs.
Then I created the lettering outline relief and positioned it vertically in the front view using the up arrows.
I could then merge highest this relief with the base relief.
Lastly I created the lettering by modifying the base relief one last time using the lettering vectors.
This review showed how it is necessary to create separate reliefs and then merge because of the unusual shape of the border with would otherwise cause distortions to the surface.
-dan
