Laser Cutting/Illustrator: Difference between revisions
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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> | == <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 | | 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]] | |||
Revision as of 16:23, 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
File Setup
Import your work into the template
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.htmlUse 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
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.
Remove Overlapping Lines
To remove overlapping lines in Illustrator:
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)
Nesting
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.
