Community tutorial:
Using Sketch-> Project to text.
Additionally, these 2 methods are both from DesignSpark user- Jacant:
There are two solutions-
Method 1:
Use the 'Dimension' tool to measure an edge. Move the measurement over the face you want the text. Double click the measurement and change the text to suit. Use the 'Project' tool on the new text. Hide the Annotation plane. Pull the text that is now on the surface.


Download above demo as a video
Method 2:
Using Sketchup. Create the Text with Tools - 3D Text.
Enter the Text in the box that opens, change the font, align and size. I would unpick the height.
Save as SKP.
Open your model file in DSM.
In 3D mode pick the face you want to place the text on. Use the Insert file to open the SKP file. Move the text to suit.
The skp file will be placed as separate surfaces.
Open the Text folder in the Structure tree. Shift - Pick the first and last surface to select them all.
Pull or Push to size.
Combine - Join these new solids to the model. Sometimes The Combine will not work. Select each new letter solid in the structure tree and Move down into the Model slightly, then do a Combine- Join.
Note: Be aware some fonts in Sketchup will not import properly there will be arcs missing on some of the letters.
Comments
10 comments
Doesn't appear to be any Text editing tools in v2 of DS Mech? unless they are well hidden somewhere.....
Quite stupid that there appears to be no way of adding a pn to a part.
It's a feature that shouldn't be missing, it's present even in Tinkercad!
Bit of a pain, but the DSM instructions do work!
Switch to Pull - Cut, and you can carve out the text.
Thanks for this, most helpful. The feature is in the full release of SpaceClaim but as this cut down version is free I guess we should not be surprised some bits are missing! However, this is a great work-around so thanks again.
Method Nr. 1. is really not a solution.
You can't put the text, where it's desired ie. on a object.
I followed the instructions and it worked - on a flat surface mind you, and I wanted to change the text size but that proved too difficult.
I didn't want text on the object - I just want to be able to add text for labels and notations - a simple text box option that should be available without using the dimensions tool.
I absolutely agree with Niamh that it is necessary to have a dedicated functionality for writing text and labels and notes. They should be assignable to a specific layer to be able to switch the flags or notes on or off.
In my opinion it is NOT viable to change to another tool (like SketchUp) to write the label and come back to DSM. Than do that again and again for each flag you need.
Can somebody from DesignSpark comment this situation?
I fully agree. I'm looking for a good CAD/Design tool for my business and this is in the running, but this is a show stopper.
I wonder if any add-ons have the ability?
Well. 2 years after the last comment and still no text functionality. I needed my text to follow the contours of a shape. The text maintaining its height as it followed the contour but no luck. Bit of a shame really. I was beginning to enjoy DesignSpark.
This workaround is so bad it kinda hurts, but will give you the possibility to add labels to your parts:
1. Create a small round edge on your part
2. Add a dimension for the radius
3. Replace text with your own label
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