How to create a design for laser cutting or engraving?

[Maejewell]

Most CO2 laser cutters work very much like your everyday inkjet printer. The laser cutter comes with specific drivers which convert an image from a computer into a format that the laser cutter can read.

When working with laser cutters it is important to know the difference between vector images and raster images. Both image file types can be processed but raster images can only be used for engraving and not for cutting.

[Xzavier]

A vector image stores all the lines and colors as mathematical formulas. Raster images are pixel based. Which means that the image is made up of many small squares. Vector images can be scaled up without any loss in quality whereas raster images will start to “pixelate” at a certain enlargement.

[Oscar]

(13.10.2019 18:28)Xzavier napisał(a):  A vector image stores all the lines and colors as mathematical formulas. Raster images are pixel based. Which means that the image is made up of many small squares. Vector images can be scaled up without any loss in quality whereas raster images will start to “pixelate” at a certain enlargement.

The first thing that should be considered is the size of your material / the maximal size that the laser bed can accommodate. This defines the maximum size of your design. In general, it is a good idea to set the work area to this size.

[Maejewell]

The color mode should be set to RGB. Different colors are usually used to specify different processes. For example, red could be used for all the parts that will be cut and black will be used for engraving.

[Xzavier]

(13.10.2019 18:29)Maejewell napisał(a):  The color mode should be set to RGB. Different colors are usually used to specify different processes. For example, red could be used for all the parts that will be cut and black will be used for engraving.

As explained before, during a cutting operation, the laser fires a continuous beam at the material to slice through it. To know where to cut the laser machine needs a vector path as the input file.

[Oscar]

Only vector graphics with the smallest possible line thickness (this depends on the software you are using) will be cut by the laser. All other graphics, like solid shapes or thicker lines, won’t be cut. If you want to know more details please visit here https://www.heatsign.com/laser-marking-a...ete-guide/