View source for Making vector files for lasercutting in illustrator aka making use of your adobe

So we will be also visiting illustrator! <br>
It is one possible tool to make your vector files for lasercutting.<br>
It is also available on all machines in the Academy.<br>
So far so good!

=Preparing a vector file for the lasercutter in Adobe Illustrator=

==RBG document==

Make sure your illustrator document is in RGB mode!<br>
That you set when making a new document, look for '''Color Mode'''. <br>
<br>
[[File:Newfile.png]]  [[File:Filesetup.png]]
<br>
You can also change it after you have created a new document, or change the color mode of an existing one by going trough the menu '''File ---> Document Color Mode ---> RGB Color'''
<br>
<br>
[[File:ColorMode.png]]
<br>

==Color and stroke==

In order for the machine to know what you want done, your vector image must have certain specialities. <br>
In short
===<br> '''RED''' is for ''cutting''===
<br>
*Your desired object to cut (it's path) must be ''stroke'', without any ''fill''. The laser will cut all along the red line ( stroke). 
*'''The stroke''' must be set to '''0,01 mm'''<br>
*The '''RED''' color must be with '''value 255'''
<br>
<br>
[[File:Cut.png]]
<br>

===<br> '''BLUE''' is for vector engraving=== 
( the laser will follow a vector path and engrave a line )<br>
<br>
*Your desired object to engrave along a line (path) must be ''stroke'', without any ''fill''. The laser will engrave all along the blue line ( stroke). 
*'''The stroke''' must be set to '''0,01 mm'''<br>
*The '''BLUE''' color must be with '''value 255'''
<br>
<br>
[[File:Engravevector.png]]<br>



===<br> '''BLACK''' is for vector engraving=== 
( the laser will engrave line by line your image, pretty much like a printer, therefore on a larger scale this is very time consuming )
<br><br>
*Your desired object to engrave inside a shape (path) must be ''fill'', without any ''stroke''. The laser will engrave inside the shape, line by line.
*The '''BLACK''' color of '''the fill''' must be with '''value 255'''
<br>
<br>
[[File:Engraveraster.png]]
<br>

=When at the Machine=


* Download [[:File:lasercutter.pdf| Using the Laser Cutter]], the manual we have at the station.
* The maximum size of your material is 30x60 cm.
==Forbidden materials (amongst onthers)==
*MDF (can be cut at the Material Station)
*Rubber
*Imitation leather
*PVC
*Vinyl
*Anything containing chlorides
*<b>Always ask if unsure!</b>

==Want to know your material?==
*Do the [http://www.boedeker.com/burntest.htm Burn Test]
*Or, for detecting chlorides, use the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beilstein_test Beilstein Test]
==Techniques==
*Custom designed [http://www.makercase.com Makercase]
*Slicing 3d models for laser cutting with [http://www.123dapp.com/make 123D Make]
*Convert 3d models into 2d layouts with [http://www.tamasoft.co.jp/pepakura-en/ Papakura]

[[Category:Lasercutter]] [[Category:Making]]