View source for Preparing Laser Cutting Files in Rhino

== Choose your laser cutter ==
Choose the right laser cutter for your material type and size. See more detailed information at [[Laser Cutting]].
<div class="noresize">
=== Trotec SP500 ===
Maximum material size: 1245 x 710mm

Materials: Strawboard (1 and 2mm), plywood (3 and 6mm)

Location: DBE Makerspace, building 418

=== Trotec Speedy 400 Flexx ===
Maximum material size: 1000 x 610mm

Materials: Strawboard, plywood, acrylic, polypropylene, fabrics, and other materials

Location: Digital Modelling Workshop, building 202
</div>
== Download the template ==
[[:Media:RhinoLasercutTemplate-V2.zip|Download the Rhino laser cutting template]].

This is a zip archive containing a 3dm. On Mac, double-click the zip file to extract it. On Windows, right-click and select Extract all... to extract it. 

== Job setup ==

=== Import your work ===
Import your work into the template. 

Check that your work is at the appropriate scale. For example, if you need to make a model at 1:100 scale, scale down your work by 0.01. If you're having trouble with scale, try a [https://www.ginifab.com/feeds/cm_to_inch/scale_converter.html scale converter].  

=== Choose material size ===
Choose an appropriate material size for your work. Use the ''layers'' panel to hide unused layers for other material sizes.

=== Nest objects ===
Move elements to fit within the boundaries of your chosen material size. If you need to use multiple sheets, make a copy of the material boundary to prepare separate sheets. Hide any layers for sheet sizes that you aren't using. 

Arrange the parts of your design inside this boundary, close together, and favouring the left side. This saves money and reduces material waste.  

Make sure to keep at least 5mm from the edge of your material, and at least 1mm between shapes. This allows latent heat to disperse from your material, preventing charring and the risk of fires.

<div class="res-img">[[File:Rhino_Nesting.png|center]]
=== Assign layers ===
Layers are pre-set in the template. Assign parts of your design into the appropriate layers:

# Select the element or elements to assign; for example, select all the curves you plan to cut, or the hatches you want to raster engrave.
# In the ''layers'' panel, right-click the appropriate layer (e.g. Cut or Raster engrave).
# Click ''change object layer.''

<div class="res-img">[[File:26-09-17-ChangeObjectLayer.png|center]]</div>

=== Line weights ===
</div>Line weights have been pre-set in the template. If you're not using the template, or you've added extra layers, set the following in the ''layers'' panel:

# Set ''Print width'' to ''hairline''
# Set ''Line type'' to ''continuous''

=== Remove duplicated lines ===
Check for any duplicated lines. To remove duplicate lines in Rhino:

# Select your work and the material boundary.
# Use the ''Make2D'' command, and input the settings shown in the ''2-D Drawing Options'' panel below.
# ''Make2D'' will make its own layer group. You should ''Hide'' or ''Delete'' the original layer group to avoid duplicates.

<div class="res-img">[[File:Make2D_settings.png|center]]</div>

=== Explode and join hatches and text ===
For all text and line-based pattern hatches:

# Use the ''Explode'' command
# Use the ''Join'' command__NOEDITSECTION__

Do not explode solid hatches. 

== Export to PDF ==

# Click ''File,'' then ''Print'', or type in ''Print'' into the command line. <div class="res-img">[[File:Rhino_PDF_1.jpg|center]]</div>
# Under ''Destination'', select ''Rhino PDF.'' Under ''Size'', scroll down to select ''Custom''. <div class="res-img">[[File:Rhino_PDF_2.jpg|center]]</div>
# Set ''Width'' and ''Height'' to match your selected material size, making sure units are set to millimetres. 
# Select the following: Output Type: ''Vector Output'', Output Color: ''Display Color.''
# Under ''View'' and ''Output Scale'', select ''Window'' and click ''Set''. This will return you to the view of your work. <div class="res-img">[[File:Rhino_PDF_3.jpg|center|600x600px]]</div>
# Select the area to print by selecting the corners of the rectangle that matches your material sheet size.<div class="res-img">[[File:Rhino_PDF_4.jpg|center|900x900px]]</div>{{Note
| inline = 1
| type = warn
| text = If you are using multiple sheets, only select one and repeat the PDF export for each sheet.
}}
# Press ''Enter'' to go back to the Print window. 
# In the Print window, set ''Scale'' to ''1:1''. Set ''Margins'' to ''0.00''. 
# Click ''Print'' to finish and save file as PDF. <div class="res-img">[[File:Rhino_PDF_5.jpg|center]]</div>
[[Category:Laser cutting]]