How do I make a "negative" image?

[AKmud]

I've run out of descriptions to search... I'm trying to design a sign for a friend and am using a file of an old truck from RHM. The file is designed to be cut out of the sheet, but I want to reverse it and cut it so the image is left behind. Is there a way to do this? The text and windmill are worked out, but the truck is giving me fits.

briar patch.svg

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briar patch.svg

(56.56 KiB) Downloaded 56 times

[acourtjester]

Ok here is what I came up with, I put an oval around the truck. You may need to be sure the oval and the trucks outer line is connected to each other so it will not drop out, then when planning the cut cut all the inner parts of the truck as inside offsets or on the line. And the inside section of the oval and the outside of the truck is cut as a inside offset to keep it attached to the sign.

truck redo 1.svg

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truck redo 1.svg

(103.23 KiB) Downloaded 59 times

[acourtjester]

I when back and attached the truck and oval but you will need to do it in the other file.

[AKmud]

Thanks Jester. With your design, the oval will be cut out as well correct? The truck is just bridged to the background? Is there a way to just make the silhouette of the truck?

[acourtjester]

Yes sir see attached image

[AKmud]

I got it figured out! Lets see if I can explain this....

I broke apart the truck and then combined all the internal pieces together leaving the outer perimeter. I then broke the perimeter between nodes where I wanted it bridged to the background. I then selected only the pieces of the outer perimeter and selected "stroke to path". This made the segments tightly closed paths that appear like they will allow the truck to cut properly.

I'll cut it tomorrow to see what happens.

briar patch.svg

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briar patch.svg

(113.32 KiB) Downloaded 59 times

[acourtjester]

Looks like that will work easier to look at when you remove the fill, so you only see the cut lines.
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