Laser Cutting/Illustrator - Revision history

Alyyra.Cowie: /* Download the template */

2026-08-17T00:32:43Z

Download the template

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:17, 17 August 2026
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	=== <big>Download the template</big> ===		=== <big>Download the template</big> ===
	[[~~:File~~:Illustrator Laser Cutting Template.zip\|Illustrator Laser Cutting Template]]		[[Media:Illustrator Laser Cutting Template.zip\|Illustrator Laser Cutting Template]]

	== <big>File Setup</big> ==		== <big>File Setup</big> ==

Alyyra.Cowie at 00:32, 17 August 2026

2026-08-17T00:32:19Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:17, 17 August 2026
Line 19:		Line 19:

	=== <big>Download the template</big> ===		=== <big>Download the template</big> ===
	Illustrator Laser Cutting Template.ai		[[:File:Illustrator Laser Cutting Template.zip\|Illustrator Laser Cutting Template]]

	== <big>File Setup</big> ==		== <big>File Setup</big> ==

Alyyra.Cowie at 00:26, 17 August 2026

2026-08-17T00:26:52Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:11, 17 August 2026
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	== PDF Export ==		== PDF Export ==
	File > Export > Export for Screens		File > Export > Export for Screens (Alt + Ctrl + E or Option + Command + E)

	~~Select the Artboard(s) you want to export~~		[[File:Illustrator Export.png\|frameless\|800x800px]]

	~~Change~~ the ~~format~~ to ~~PDF~~		1) Select the Artboard(s) you want to export

	Click Export Artboard		2) Uncheck '''Include Bleed''' and '''Include Artboard Fill'''

			3) Change the format to '''PDF'''

			4) Select export location

			5) Click '''Export Artboard'''

Alyyra.Cowie at 07:54, 14 August 2026

2026-08-14T07:54:27Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:39, 14 August 2026
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	\| text = Be aware that small stroke weights may not appear on your work post laser cutting if the lines were too thin.		\| text = Be aware that small stroke weights may not appear on your work post laser cutting if the lines were too thin.
	}}		}}

			=== <big>Nesting</big> ===
			Move elements to fit within the artboard of your chosen material size. If you need to use multiple sheets, duplicate the needed artboard.

			Nest your design, placing each element close together (2mm minimum distance between parts) or if possible, sharing cut lines.[[File:Nesting.jpg\|frameless\|305x305px]]
	=== <big>Remove Overlapping Lines</big> ===		=== <big>Remove Overlapping Lines</big> ===
	To remove overlapping lines in Illustrator:		To remove overlapping lines in Illustrator:
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	\| text = There is no tolerance for overlapping lines in Illustrator.		\| text = There is no tolerance for overlapping lines in Illustrator.
	So it is a good idea to confirm that the overlapping lines have been removed by temporarily moving an object		So it is a good idea to confirm that the overlapping lines have been removed by temporarily moving an object
	}}~~'''<big~~>~~Nesting</big~~>~~'''~~		}}

			== PDF Export ==
			File > Export > Export for Screens

	~~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.~~		Select the Artboard(s) you want to export

	~~Arrange~~ the ~~parts of your design inside this boundary, favouring the left side. Saves money and reduces material waste.~~		Change the format to PDF

	~~Nest your design, placing each element close together (2mm minimum distance between parts) or if possible, sharing cut lines.~~		Click Export Artboard
	~~[[File:Rhino Nesting.png\|frameless\|718x718px]]~~

Alyyra.Cowie at 07:38, 14 August 2026

2026-08-14T07:38:17Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:23, 14 August 2026
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	== Illustrator Laser Cutting Guide ==		== <big>Illustrator Laser Cutting Guide</big> ==

	=== <big>Choose the correct laser cutter based on the material and its maximum cut size.</big> ===		=== <big>Choose the correct laser cutter based on the material and its maximum cut size.</big> ===
Line 21:		Line 21:
	Illustrator Laser Cutting Template.ai		Illustrator Laser Cutting Template.ai

	== <big>~~How to use Illustrator for Laser Cutting~~</big> ==		== <big>File Setup</big> ==
	[[File:File Place.png\|right\|frameless\|292x292px]]		[[File:File Place.png\|right\|frameless\|292x292px]]

Line 68:		Line 68:
	\| text = Be aware that small stroke weights may not appear on your work post laser cutting if the lines were too thin.		\| text = Be aware that small stroke weights may not appear on your work post laser cutting if the lines were too thin.
	}}		}}


	=== <big>Remove Overlapping Lines</big> ===		=== <big>Remove Overlapping Lines</big> ===
	To remove overlapping lines in Illustrator:		To remove overlapping lines in Illustrator:

	{{Note		{{Note
	\| inline = 1		\| inline = 1
	\| type = warn		\| type = warn
	\| text = Do this ~~one colour at a time~~		\| text = Do Cut lines and Etch lines separately. You don't need to do this for engraving
	}}		}}

	Select all objects with the same stroke colour by selecting an object, then, in the top bar, click '''Select''' > '''Same''' > '''Stroke Color'''		Select all objects with the same stroke colour by selecting an object, then, in the top bar, click '''Select''' > '''Same''' > '''Stroke Color'''

Line 93:		Line 93:
	\| text = There is no tolerance for overlapping lines in Illustrator.		\| text = There is no tolerance for overlapping lines in Illustrator.
	So it is a good idea to confirm that the overlapping lines have been removed by temporarily moving an object		So it is a good idea to confirm that the overlapping lines have been removed by temporarily moving an object
	}}		}}'''<big>Nesting</big>'''

			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.

			Arrange the parts of your design inside this boundary, favouring the left side. Saves money and reduces material waste.

			Nest your design, placing each element close together (2mm minimum distance between parts) or if possible, sharing cut lines.
			[[File:Rhino Nesting.png\|frameless\|718x718px]]

Alyyra.Cowie at 05:01, 14 August 2026

2026-08-14T05:01:01Z

@@ Line 21: / Line 21: @@
 Illustrator Laser Cutting Template.ai
-== <big>How to use Illustrator</big> ==
+== <big>How to use Illustrator for Laser Cutting</big> ==
 [[File:File Place.png|right|frameless|292x292px]]
-=== '''<big>Import your work into the template</big>''' ===
+=== <big>Import your work into the template</big> ===
 {{Note
 | inline = 1
@@ Line 30: / Line 30: @@
 | text = '''Ensure that your objects are at the appropriate scale.'''
-The Laser Cutter cuts at 1:1 scale. For example, if you need your models at 1:100, they should be scaled down by 0.01.
+The Laser Cutter cuts at 1:1 scale. For example,
 '''Having trouble with Scale  {{!}}  Try a scale converter:'''
@@ Line 36: / Line 38: @@
 https://www.ginifab.com/feeds/cm_to_inch/scale_converter.html
 }}
-Use '''File''' - '''Place...''' to import any work you already have into the template

Alyyra.Cowie: Created Illustrator Guide

2026-08-14T01:13:59Z

Created Illustrator Guide

New page

== Illustrator Laser Cutting Guide ==

=== <big>Choose the correct laser cutter based on the material and its maximum cut size.</big> ===
'''TROTEC SPEEDY 400'''

Located in the Digital Modelling Room (Room 160, Building 202)

'''Maximum material size:''' 900mm x 600mm x 12.7mm

'''Can cut:''' Strawboard, Plywood, Acrylic, Leather , Potentially other materials upon request

'''TROTEC SP500'''

Located in the DBE Makerspace (Room 114, Building 418)

'''Maximum material size:''' 1245mm x 710mm x 12.7mm

'''Can cut:''' Strawboard, Plywood

=== <big>Download the template</big> ===
Illustrator Laser Cutting Template.ai

== <big>How to use Illustrator</big> ==
[[File:File Place.png|right|frameless|292x292px]]

=== '''<big>Import your work into the template</big>''' ===
{{Note
| inline = 1
| type = info
| text = '''Ensure that your objects are at the appropriate scale.'''

The Laser Cutter cuts at 1:1 scale. For example, if you need your models at 1:100, they should be scaled down by 0.01.

'''Having trouble with Scale {{!}} Try a scale converter:'''

https://www.ginifab.com/feeds/cm_to_inch/scale_converter.html
}}
Use '''File''' - '''Place...''' to import any work you already have into the template