How to Get Smooth Single-Line Text Outlines from Curves?

Grasshopper
,
1

Hi everyone! I’m looking for advice on how to generate text as curves in Rhino/Grasshopper (or similar tools) in a cleaner way.

Right now, when I convert text to curves, the numbers look overly segmented and faceted — I’d like them to appear smoother and more refined. Also, I’d prefer to have only the outer contours of the text. As shown in the second image (attached), sometimes the result includes double lines or inner offsets, which I don’t need.

Does anyone know how to improve the curve quality or control these settings better? Any tips or alternative methods would be greatly appreciated!

TEXT - OPEN NEST (2)
TEXT - OPEN NEST (2)1149×652 14.7 KB

TEXT - OPEN NEST
TEXT - OPEN NEST1056×653 5.03 KB

2

Use a different font…

Rhino has a built in single line font called ‘SLF-RHN Architect’

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3

I don’t really know fonts but a little playing around tells me that Single Line Fonts don’t exist in Windows 11, perhaps for good reason?

text_2025May15a
text_2025May15a948×674 73.4 KB

text_2025May15a.gh (19.1 KB)

The ‘FONTS’ Value List (blue group) is updated by the Python PVL at the bottom, on the chance that someone may know how to access the list of installed fonts?

I tried that but it doesn’t really work for me :question:

4

My windows font collection also does not find the font. However, I think you should have access to the font through the Rhino Options / Document Properties / Annotation Styles.

There’s even a template style called ‘Engrave’

image
image1388×1009 51.3 KB

5

That’s way over my head.

6

Still not using Rhino 8?

7

I have R8 but only use it when required. The flood of bugs deterred me.

Do you have a GH example of creating text (curves) using that single line font? Break it out, Brah. :wink:

8

image
image2803×1211 196 KB

single-line-font.3dm (44.5 KB)
single-line-font.gh (8.0 KB)

Sorry, Rhino 9 WIP

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9

Works in R8:

image
image961×718 121 KB

I recall this as ‘MecSoft’

10

Too hard to learn those icons :bangbang: :smiling_face_with_sunglasses:

Ah, I see the files now. But yeah, R9 :interrobang: :roll_eyes: I see nothing.

missing
missing508×202 5.91 KB

missing2
missing2346×180 9.73 KB

11

single-line-font.3dm (39.3 KB)

This Rhino 8 file contains nothing except a few annotation styles of which one is called ‘Engrave’

The Grasshopper file references the annotation style.

12

Cool! That works for me and looks like what @C_DelReal is looking for.
Oh, wait, it doesn’t generate curves?

But “annotation styles”? I have no clue…

13

Gotta start working with Rhino 8.

14

Is it safe yet? I see no compelling reason to switch.

15

The two main reasons I switched:

  1. Grasshopper Rhino components and their ability to reference files, blocks and geometry and filter all sorts of things
  2. Mesh manipulations with Shrinkwrap and Isopod
16

Hello
there are others ways to get just one curve from text. Here I use Nautilus plugin.
You can use Medial Axis, not the better as it uses Voronoi

image
image1166×557 67.5 KB

Medial Axis from roof is a bit better

image
image1192×558 70.4 KB

Or you can extract just the outer edge from curves
with region Union

image
image1084×428 55.1 KB

or this component

image
image1106×416 69.3 KB

text to single line.gh (14.4 KB)

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17

Thanks a lot, thats really usefull

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18

Maybe this video could be of your interest, just for curiosity :wink:
Coding Adventure: Rendering Text

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