Someone posted to the Ray Dream Mailing List
...I am trying to build the Enterprise from the original Star Trek series.

I've pretty much completed the model, but I'm having problems with applying shaders. Specifically, I'm trying to place the text "U.S.S. ENTERPRISE" across the top of the saucer section. I created the saucer by lathing, so what seems to be happening when I attempt to use the Rectangle Paint option is that it follows the curve of the object. I'm trying to apply the shader as a rectangle that runs parallel to the diameter of the saucer. I started to play with my bitmap by trying to fit to an opposite curve in the hopes of cancelling out the effect, but all I get is a wavy effect. I've also looked at 3d text objects, but I don't think that's the answer.

(For cool info on Star Trek's Voyager craft surfaces, check out this site.

What you need to do is attack the shape from another direction. Try making the object an extruded circle and change the shape of the envelope. Then go into the object properties and apply the shader as a map from the top, like the box. (Well, the cylinder)

1. Extrude a circle in the freeform modeler,don't lathe. Use the envelope (in blue) to get the shape you want.

3. Apply normally using the paint shape tool.(or whatever it's called)

Of course, your shader will be a little more complex if you are trying to letter your object. Do not use a mask in the transparency channel. This will just cut a hole in your object. You will want to make a grayscale mask that resides in the global shader mixer. Check out this tutorial to better understand. It's entitled "Using a Mask in Shader Channels."

Good Luck!