Laser Cutting/Illustrator: Difference between revisions

From DBE Makers
VisualWikitext
(Created Illustrator Guide)
 
mNo edit summary
Line 21: Line 21:
Illustrator Laser Cutting Template.ai
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]]
[[File:File Place.png|right|frameless|292x292px]]


=== '''<big>Import your work into the template</big>''' ===
=== <big>Import your work into the template</big> ===
{{Note
{{Note
| inline = 1
| inline = 1
Line 30: Line 30:
| text = '''Ensure that your objects are at the appropriate scale.'''
| 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,  
 
if you need your models at 1:100, they should be scaled down by 0.01.


'''Having trouble with Scale  {{!}}  Try a scale converter:'''
'''Having trouble with Scale  {{!}}  Try a scale converter:'''
Line 36: Line 38:
https://www.ginifab.com/feeds/cm_to_inch/scale_converter.html
https://www.ginifab.com/feeds/cm_to_inch/scale_converter.html
}}
}}
Use '''File''' - '''Place...''' to import any work you already have into the template
 
Use '''File''' > '''Place...''' to import any work you already have into the template
 
 
=== <big>Layers and Colours</big> ===
[[File:Swatches.png|right|frameless]]
There are layers already setup in the template to help you organise your work. However the layers do not set your line colours.
 
To change your line colours, select the elements you want to change. You can use the pre-set Swatches in the top right to quickly change the colours.
 
Make sure you have the Fill and Stroke [[File:Fill or Stroke.png|frameless]] correctly selected.
 
For Cut and Etch lines you want no Fill.
 
For Engrave you may want Fill
{{Note
| inline = 1
| type = reminder
| text = Engrave works for the entire grayscale
}}
 
=== <big>Stroke</big> ===
Set '''Stroke Weight:''' (bottom right of screen) for Cut and Etch lines to '''0.25pt'''
 
For Engraving, the laser will engrave all black areas. The stroke weight will directly affect the thickness of your lines, so set them to whatever you want.
{{Note
| inline = 1
| type = warn
| 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> ===
To remove overlapping lines in Illustrator:
{{Note
| inline = 1
| type = warn
| text = Do this one colour at a time
}}
Select all objects with the same stroke colour by selecting an object, then, in the top bar, click '''Select''' > '''Same''' > '''Stroke Color'''
 
Now in the top bar click '''Object''' > '''Group''' (Ctrl + G or Cmd + G)
 
In Pathfinder Window (Shift + Ctrl + F9 or Shift + Command + F9)  click '''outline'''
 
[[File:Pathfinder outline.png|frameless]]
 
Now change the '''Stroke''' back to '''0.25pt'''
 
Finally in the top bar click '''Object''' > '''Ungroup''' (Shift + Ctrl + G or Shift + Cmd + G)
{{Note
| inline = 1
| type = info
| 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
}}

Revision as of 13:46, 14 August 2026

Illustrator Laser Cutting Guide

Choose the correct laser cutter based on the material and its maximum cut size.

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

Download the template

Illustrator Laser Cutting Template.ai

How to use Illustrator for Laser Cutting

Import your work into the template

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


Layers and Colours

There are layers already setup in the template to help you organise your work. However the layers do not set your line colours.

To change your line colours, select the elements you want to change. You can use the pre-set Swatches in the top right to quickly change the colours.

Make sure you have the Fill and Stroke correctly selected.

For Cut and Etch lines you want no Fill.

For Engrave you may want Fill

Engrave works for the entire grayscale

Stroke

Set Stroke Weight: (bottom right of screen) for Cut and Etch lines to 0.25pt

For Engraving, the laser will engrave all black areas. The stroke weight will directly affect the thickness of your lines, so set them to whatever you want.

Be aware that small stroke weights may not appear on your work post laser cutting if the lines were too thin.


Remove Overlapping Lines

To remove overlapping lines in Illustrator:

Do this one colour at a time

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

Now in the top bar click Object > Group (Ctrl + G or Cmd + G)

In Pathfinder Window (Shift + Ctrl + F9 or Shift + Command + F9) click outline

Now change the Stroke back to 0.25pt

Finally in the top bar click Object > Ungroup (Shift + Ctrl + G or Shift + Cmd + G)

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
Retrieved from "https://www.dbemakers.com:443/index.php?title=Laser_Cutting/Illustrator&oldid=710"