I plot Greek poetry on real maps in the browser. This is feature 3 of 69: the coastline of Agios Efstratios from Map to Pen Plot, a Giannis Ritsos poem in a handwriting font, then straight to G-code.
What you'll see in the video
- Add Object → Shapes & Imports → Text with Single Line, Outline, Hatched, and Solid styles
- Browse Hershey single-stroke fonts or add custom TTF, OTF, or stroke-font JSON in settings
- Brief look at Handwriting mode (random variants per letter for a natural feel)
- Use Map to Pen Plot (Creator Bundle) to import the Agios Efstratios coastline
- Deselect roads, generate clean vector linework, and place the island on the bed
- Type a Giannis Ritsos poem in Greek under the map, then export and plot
How to use Text
- Open Studio → Add Object → Shapes & Imports → Text
- Type in the right sidebar; choose font, size, and layout
- Text renders as single-stroke or outlined lettering on the active layer
Menu path: Add Object → Shapes & Imports → Text
The story behind this plot
This piece started on Agios Efstratios, a small island in the northern Aegean. I used Map to Pen Plot to bring the coastline into Studio as clean vector linework, then added a poem by Giannis Ritsos underneath in a handwriting-style font. The map gives the place; the text gives it voice.
It is a simple workflow: one layer for the island outline, one for the lettering, then export G-code and plot on cardstock. No Illustrator, no manual SVG cleanup. Just type, position, and print.
The poem
«Έχουν μνήμη η γη, ο τόπος, η θάλασσα. Τόση που αν λιγάκι σκάψεις, ίσως λίγο περισσότερο από το συνηθισμένο, μπορεί να ακούσεις κάτι...»
Giannis Ritsos
*Translation: "The earth, the place, the sea have memory. So much that if you dig a little, maybe a little more than usual, you might hear something..."*
Text styles
- Single Line: single-stroke Hershey fonts, one continuous line per letter; ideal for poetry and captions
- Outline: outlined lettering with your choice of system or custom font
- Hatched: cross-hatch fill inside letterforms
- Solid: filled lettering for bolder poster-style plots
Key controls
Pick it from the menu, then adjust settings in the right sidebar.
What I plot with Text
- Poetry, captions, and lettering in Greek, Latin, and accented characters
- Island maps and coastlines combined with Map to Pen Plot
- Postcards, posters, and personal art with shapes, imports, and generators
- Handwriting and single-stroke Hershey fonts on any pen-holder setup
Frequently asked questions
How do I add text to a pen plot in 3DPlotter?
Add Object → Shapes & Imports → Text, then type in the right sidebar. Choose a text style, font, and size. Changes update live on the canvas.
Can I plot Greek text with a pen plotter?
Yes. Type directly in Greek in the Text controls. Single-stroke Hershey fonts and handwriting styles support Greek characters.
What fonts work for pen plotting?
Single Line mode uses 50+ Hershey single-stroke fonts designed for pen plotters. Outline, Hatched, and Solid modes use system and custom fonts.
How do I combine a map and poem on one plot?
Import the coastline with Map to Pen Plot on one layer, then add a Text element on another. Position both on the bed and export G-code.
What are single-stroke Hershey fonts?
Vector fonts where each letter is drawn with one continuous pen stroke, no filled shapes, no double lines. Ideal for clean pen plots.
Does Text work with multi-pen plotting?
Yes. Use Pen Palette on a layer to split linework by color, or set per-path ink on modifiers like Offset.
Try Text
Open 3DPlotter Studio, follow the steps above, and export a test plot. Lifetime V3 access is €29.90. Creator Bundle (€39.90) adds Map to Pen Plot, String Art, Wax Seal, and 3D Model to SVG.
More tools: Feature hub · V3 launch
