Inkscape for laser cutting question

[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"

This is what I came up with to get them started on their project.

David

[acourtjester]

David are you looking for a thicker line cut for a silhouette type cutout?

[plasmanewbie]

Pretty cool, thanks David

[adbuch]

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.

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

[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 (15.23 KiB) Viewed 183 times

heart 2.JPG (15.23 KiB) Viewed 183 times

heart 3.JPG (16.81 KiB) Viewed 183 times

heart 3.JPG (16.81 KiB) Viewed 183 times

heart 4.JPG (19.01 KiB) Viewed 183 times

heart 4.JPG (19.01 KiB) Viewed 183 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 6.JPG (46.96 KiB) Viewed 183 times

heart 6.JPG (46.96 KiB) Viewed 183 times

[adbuch]

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 (62.93 KiB) Viewed 181 times

Inkscape file for laser cut example.jpg (62.93 KiB) Viewed 181 times

[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.

[adbuch]

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

David

[acourtjester]

Yes the example shown was done with lightburn, but very similar in Inkscape as you showed and mine above.

[adbuch]

Yes the example shown was done with lightburn, but very similar in Inkscape as you showed and mine above.