Inkscape for laser cutting question

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adbuch
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Inkscape for laser cutting question

Post by adbuch »

I was recently asked the following question.

"Not my picture but does someone have a good tutorial on how to create files like this to lasercut?
Thanks"
44.jpg
This is what I came up with to get them started on their project.

David
Inkscape  file for laser cut example.jpg
Inkscape  file for laser cut example 1.jpg
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acourtjester
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Re: Inkscape for laser cutting question

Post by acourtjester »

David are you looking for a thicker line cut for a silhouette type cutout?
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Re: Inkscape for laser cutting question

Post by plasmanewbie »

Pretty cool, thanks David
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Re: Inkscape for laser cutting question

Post by adbuch »

acourtjester wrote: Tue Oct 29, 2024 10:31 am David are you looking for a thicker line cut for a silhouette type cutout?
Tom - they wanted to use Inkscape to create something like this.
44.jpg
There are many different ways to accomplish this. One method would be to do a manual trace and then adjust the stroke width and "stroke to path". Another method might be to use a program like Paint.net to manually paint over the lines you want, then import to Inkscape and auto trace (Path, Trace Bitmap).

The method I show is just one that came to mind so that they didn't need to do so much manual tracing.

Thanks for asking.

David
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Re: Inkscape for laser cutting question

Post by acourtjester »

If you come up with a line single drawing (Auto trace) you can use the inset or outset to add a second trace line. After you have the line drawing you duplicate it and then use the inset or outset ( which ever direction you want) for the second line seen in the attached images. There is a setting as to the distance of the additional line drawing. I showed them separated to show they can be totally separate.
heart 2.JPG
heart 2.JPG (15.23 KiB) Viewed 109 times
heart 2.JPG
heart 2.JPG (15.23 KiB) Viewed 109 times
heart 3.JPG
heart 3.JPG (16.81 KiB) Viewed 109 times
heart 3.JPG
heart 3.JPG (16.81 KiB) Viewed 109 times
heart 4.JPG
heart 4.JPG (19.01 KiB) Viewed 109 times
heart 4.JPG
heart 4.JPG (19.01 KiB) Viewed 109 times
Now there is a very similar operation in Lightburn called "Offset shapes" again using a traced drawing you click on offset shapes and a menu comes up with selections as to what you want to do. There are more options then in Inkscape, a shown in the screen shot.
heart 5.jpg
heart 6.JPG
heart 6.JPG (46.96 KiB) Viewed 109 times
heart 6.JPG
heart 6.JPG (46.96 KiB) Viewed 109 times
Attachments
heart 6.JPG
heart 6.JPG (46.96 KiB) Viewed 109 times
heart 6.JPG
heart 6.JPG (46.96 KiB) Viewed 109 times
DIY 4X4 Plasma/Router Table
Hypertherm PM65 Machine Torch
Drag Knife and Scribe
Miller Mig welder
13" metal lathe
Small Mill
Everlast PowerTig 255 EXT
adbuch
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Re: Inkscape for laser cutting question

Post by adbuch »

acourtjester wrote: Wed Oct 30, 2024 10:40 am If you come up with a line single drawing (Auto trace) you can use the inset or outset to add a second trace line. After you have the line drawing you duplicate it and then use the inset or outset ( which ever direction you want) for the second line seen in the attached images.
Tom - that's exactly what I did. Auto trace to get outline, then copy and inset to get the second line.

David
Inkscape file for laser cut example.jpg
Inkscape file for laser cut example.jpg (62.93 KiB) Viewed 107 times
Inkscape file for laser cut example.jpg
Inkscape file for laser cut example.jpg (62.93 KiB) Viewed 107 times
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Re: Inkscape for laser cutting question

Post by acourtjester »

I used that method to make this plaque, I did the offset on the first names combined. Then I separated the inside and outside and joined (welded) the outside and the last names into one path. This can be done for plasma cutting too.
Jan and  Gary finished.JPG
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Re: Inkscape for laser cutting question

Post by adbuch »

Tom - that looks great! You show a good example of what can be accomplished using some of these very handy Inkscape tools.

David
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Re: Inkscape for laser cutting question

Post by acourtjester »

Yes the example shown was done with lightburn, but very similar in Inkscape as you showed and mine above. :Like
DIY 4X4 Plasma/Router Table
Hypertherm PM65 Machine Torch
Drag Knife and Scribe
Miller Mig welder
13" metal lathe
Small Mill
Everlast PowerTig 255 EXT
adbuch
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Re: Inkscape for laser cutting question

Post by adbuch »

acourtjester wrote: Wed Oct 30, 2024 10:59 am Yes the example shown was done with lightburn, but very similar in Inkscape as you showed and mine above. :Like
:Like :Like :Like
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