How to invert a design?

[nooneshome1966]

Hello all,
So I am trying to make key chains for my upcoming class reunion, I bought acrylic that was supposed to be white in the center but by the looks is not.
So when I printed the key chain after hours of editing the the design to have the white show through the picture attached is what I ended up with (I know it’s not centered, it looked ok when I sent it to the printer)
My question is this, is there a way to invert this so that the stuff that is engraved is not and the part that’s not engraved is?
I have attached pictures of the design and the side of the acrylic which I guess would show white in the middle of it was there.
This stuff is expensive and I am upset that it doesn’t have the white inside!!

[GrooveStranger]

Multi-color acrylic will have the top color in a super thin layer right on top --not in the actual middle. If that is supposed to be red material that reveals white on engraving, it should look like this… The white portion is super obvious. So, I would agree you got the wrong stuff and you should return it.

2-color acrylic can reproduce a very sharp image, when you get the right stuff you will be pleased. Here are some settings to play with.

Refined settings for 1/16" 2-color acrylic (like from Inventables)

I had a project that required this stuff and found I was not happy with my existing settings. I made some improvements and discovered some other tips along the way. You can get some really nice results with this stuff, but it does need some care. [image] Engraving Best results: Speed 1000, Power 15, LPI 675 Notes: As has been said, the plastic masking that comes on the product makes a gooey mess in engraving. I experimented with paper masking too–forget it. Getting through the masking tak…

[nooneshome1966]

Thank you, I purchased this stuff a while ago and just got to working on them, needless to say I can’t return it but I am sure will find a use for it.
That being said I might call them and explain the situation and see what happens.
What is the best way to clean off the acrylic after the engraving, seems like there is some sticking stuff left in there
Thanks again

[rbtdanforth]

@nooneshome1966

there is some sticking stuff left in there

I end up using hand sanitizer for lots of stuff and it is good for that too. but soap and an old toothbrush will work wel also.
As for a color inversion it is easier in the raster than vector. In vector I routinely get in node mode and select every node on the line and hit Cut (Cntl-X) then make sure to deselect everything and hit Paste(Cntl-V) and then adjust the line back where it was. Thus now that outer line becomes your cut out line and the filled and unfilled areas will invert.

[cynd11]

Or if you want to make use of the material you’ve got: before pulling off the masking, spray paint the pieces with white paint. After you pull off the mask, it should look the way you planned.