Jules
May 24, 2018, 3:01pm
2
You need to use a vector drawing program like Illustrator to create the cutline (square or circle or whatever) first.
Then you save that file as an SVG. Once it is created, you can drag and drop the file onto the artboard in the Glowforge interface and there it is!
Since you mentioned using Illustrator, I’m going to point you towards some short tutorials.
These will get you up to speed quickly:
The Dashboard: Sign in to app.glowforge.com
[dashboard]
Keyboard Shortcuts and Maneuvering in the Interface:
Copy (Select item)… CTRL/CMD + C
Paste (Select item)… CTRL/CMD + V
Undo … CTRL/CMD + Z
Delete (Select item) … Press the Delete key on the keyboard.
Update on Delete: _After the Autosave Settings Saver migration on 01/08/2018, if you delete a part or item from your file it will stay gone when you close it.
The next time you open the file, it will not be there.
If yo…
The Trace Tool in the Glowforge User Interface can be used to scan printed artwork for engraving, and to create cut lines around the artwork, or inside the artwork, by clicking with the mouse.
There are a couple of ways to do things with the Trace Tool.
(I’m going to borrow one of Glowforge’s freebies to demonstrate since my drawing skills are non-existent. I printed this airplane out - pretend it’s hand drawn.)
I’m going to demo an alignment process below using my (ancient) version of Adobe Illustrator, but the process is the same for Inkscape or CorelDraw or Affinity Designer. Whichever one you like to use, you’ll do the same things, with the tools in that program. (I’m also going to give you the thought process that goes into creating a design with 2D Design software, to keep from having to write another one up, so if you can slog through it, you’ll pick up some stuff you need to know to make thing…
It’s soooooo easy to create files easily in programs like Illustrator, Inkscape, CorelDraw and Affinity Designer if you understand what the Glowforge interface sees when it looks at your file.
(Think of this as a last batch of Tips and Tricks, then I’ll quit bugging you.)
For All Programs:
If you want to engrave a bitmap (raster) style image and include it inside a vector SVG file, you need to Embed the image in the file if you want it to stay aligned inside the SVG file. Otherwise you will need to re-load the raster file and use the camera to align it visually.
(That’s fine, but you will completely lose the benefit of more accurate alignment that you get from the design software.)
There are instructions for how to Embed raster images for some of the main 2D…
Then if you want to get started designing your own stuff quickly, the Matrix has a lot of tutorials and video links showing the best of the tips and tricks:
For using the Glowforge:
Sheet1
Glowforge Customer Knowledge Base - Laser
Click on the Arrows at the Links below to be taken to the tutorials,
SUGGESTED READING/VIEWING:
GLOWFORGE SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS:
Unboxing to first print video - Glowforge.,Glowforge Unboxin...
For Using Photoshop, GIMP and Paintshop:
Sheet1
Glowforge Customer Knowledge Base - Raster Programs
Hover over the link and click on the arrow to be taken to the tutorial
Raster (Bitmap) Based Drawing Programs,Adobe Photoshop,GIMP,Corel Paintshop
Laser Related Basic Reference Tutorials
How...
For using Illustrator, Inkscape, CorelDRAW and Affinity Designer:
Daily schedule
Glowforge Customer Knowledge Base - 2D Vector Programs
Click on the Links below (pop-up arrows) to be taken to the tutorial
2D Vector Programs
Glowforge Specific,Adobe Illustrator,Inkscape,CorelDRAW,Affinity Designer,Vector...
For using Fusion 360, OnShape, Openscad, Rhino, etc.
Have fun!
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