My first attempt at intarsia.

[alkolka]

<UL TYPE=SQUARE>

<LI>Created the rectangle and text. Centered them.
<LI>Converted the text to editable shapes.
<LI>Ungrouped the text shapes (CTRL-U twice).
<LI>Arrange > Join the text shapes into a single shape.
<LI>Copy the text shape onto the clipboard (CTRL-C).
<LI>Select both the rectangle and the text shape.
<LI>Arrange > Combine Shapes > Subtact Shapes.
<LI>Paste the text shape back into the hole (CTRL-SHFT-V).
<LI>Select the rectangle and the text shape and fill with a bitmap pattern. Here I used the burl walnut bitmap from Xara3D4.
<LI>Select both and Bevel as you like. You'll need to use the Bevel Inside button (four arrows pointing into a common center point).[/list]

[alkolka]

<UL TYPE=SQUARE>

<LI>Created the rectangle and text. Centered them.
<LI>Converted the text to editable shapes.
<LI>Ungrouped the text shapes (CTRL-U twice).
<LI>Arrange > Join the text shapes into a single shape.
<LI>Copy the text shape onto the clipboard (CTRL-C).
<LI>Select both the rectangle and the text shape.
<LI>Arrange > Combine Shapes > Subtact Shapes.
<LI>Paste the text shape back into the hole (CTRL-SHFT-V).
<LI>Select the rectangle and the text shape and fill with a bitmap pattern. Here I used the burl walnut bitmap from Xara3D4.
<LI>Select both and Bevel as you like. You'll need to use the Bevel Inside button (four arrows pointing into a common center point).[/list]

[gwpriester]

Really cool effect, Al. If you could find a leather bitmap you could do a convincing hand-tooled leather effect.

What is intarsia? I don't think I have heard that term.

Gary

Gary Priester

Moderator Person

Be It Every So Humble...

[alkolka]

Intarsia is typically a mosaic made from wood. Using different species and thicknesses allows you to create any picture from simple to very detailed.

Normally you use a scroll saw with a very fine blade to cut out the wooden pieces.

My little Xara X example is probably not true to form since it would be difficult to cut out the completely imbedded pieces.

Look at the URL below for real examples of intarsia. Maybe there's a tutorial in this subject!

Intarsia Patterns from BrandNew

p.s. I first played with computer generated intarsia effects after reading a PhotoPaint article in an (ancient) Corel Magazine.

[gwpriester]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> p.s. I first played with computer generated intarsia effects after reading a PhotoPaint article in an (ancient) Corel Magazine. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Ah yes, that would have been written by old Huss. He abounds with such techniques.

Corel Magazine--may we have a moment of silence [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif[/img]

Gary

Gary Priester

Moderator Person

Be It Every So Humble...

[amoore]

Last year, the Metropolitan Museum of Art here in New York City displayed an entire room in which the walls were panelled with intarsia murals. I believe it was called the Studiolo, and it was salvaged from a Renaissance villa in Italy.

The design, artistry and workmanship were astonishing.

[ivca]

"may we have a moment of silence"

ROTF LMAO

I hear you man ......

Wayne

[panfer]

Al, Thanks for the tutorial.