Recommendations/advice for new users?

[KaraBreen]

Hi everyone, I am brand new to the glowforge world. I have been reading and researching for months, but now I finally have access to this amazing GF community and all is experienced users!!

As I am still waiting for my machine to arrive I want to take this time to start designing some Ideas. I typically do graphic design work on my iPad with procreate.

Since I am new to 2D design and laser printing I was wondering what are some of the best programs and or apps to use with the glowforge??

Also if there is any advice you would wish you could have gotten when you were first starting out it would be greatly appreciated!

Wishing you all health & safety. -Kara

[evansd2]

Welcome!

Luckily for you, this has been covered many times.

This post will get you started.

New owner (well, almost)

Useful: Overall welcome Maybe too entry level? This will help you figure out how to cut new materials, really useful skill to have. Essential if you’re going to cut anything non PG (which you will, probably) What else might you need?

[KaraBreen]

Thank you very much. I figured it has been talked about but still getting to know the community and how it works.

[eflyguy]

Designing on iPad Pro

Using Affinity Designer on the iPad Pro it is possible to create vector art that you can transfer directly to the Glowforge without passing through a pc. Here is a short tutorial I did on the subject. The only problem is that AD doesn’t have an autotrace feature. For that you can try Imaengine.

[evansd2]

The biggest challenge will be to sit still and read it all while you’re eager to laser things. Luckily, you don’t have a laser yet, so now’s the time to really dig in! Everything you read now will pay you back over and over.

[KaraBreen]

Great thanks for the help!

[mark14]

my advise: search before asking. Most topics are already covered and you do not have to wait.