
The only thing you need to do is convert it to outlines. Remove it before emailing the file to us. The lines are now paths and can be used by the laser cutter.Īttention!: The original bitmap image is still behind your line drawing. Select the image and click ‘Trace Bitmap’. If you want to cut or vector engrave them, you need to convert these images (JPEG,BMP, PNG, etc.) to vector line drawings. Rasterized or bitmap images can only be engraved. White is not engraved, light grey is the shallowest and black the densest. The density control is exactly the same as with fills. Color images are being converted to a greyscale image via dithering. The laser cutter can interpret raster images for engraving without any problems. Gradients can also be used and are treated the same way by the machine. All shades of grey in between make a difference in density. On average light grey (RGB – 230,230,230) is the shallowest and black the densest. By using shades of grey you can control the density of the engraving. The color is RGB blue which is also available in the default swatches.Īll fills are engraved. The stroke weight has to be 0.01 mm and the color RGB red. These are the outlines of the shape you want to cut. The file contains the margins and colors you can use. Note: If the file still won't open in Silhouette properly, try using the "Break Apart" function in Inkscape again in case the compound paths did not break completely.How to setup a file that our laser can work with?Ĭhoose the size of the material you want to use. This is what the new dxf looks like opened in Silhouette Studio - easy peasy. Chances are you'll be resizing it when you open it later. You can set Base Unit to whatever you're comfortable with - inches or pixels are usually the best choices.
Inkscape tutorial software#
They're settings for AutoCAD software so they won't really effect the files for Silhouette Studio. Now's the time to change your file name if you want to, then click Save. You know you're on the right track if you see something like this:Ĭlick on File and Save As in the drop down menu:Ĭlick the drop down next to Save as Type in the window that pops up and select Desktop Cutting Plotter (AutoCAD DXF R14)(*.dxf) about half-way down. Those used to be blank spots in the middle of the design. If you compare the before and after you'll see that there are a bunch of extra boxes on the main part of the flower now. Now your image will look something like this: The term Inkscape uses for compound path is "break apart." When a group of objects are welded together in Silhouette Studio they are called compound paths.Ī compound path tells the software what parts of the design to cut together and keeps them from being moved out of place. For more on that, see the DXF files post.Ĭlick on Object in the top menu and select Ungroup in the drop down menu.Ĭlick on Path in the top menu and select Break Apart in the drop down menu.

The key to making a dxf work is to make sure that nothing is connected - no grouping or compound paths. You can drag it from the file folder window straight into Inkscape to open it faster. Now that that's done, open the svg you would like to convert. You can find links and a walk-through here.

Inkscape tutorial free#
It's a free program similar to Adobe Illustrator.
Inkscape tutorial download#
What if I told you with a couple clicks you can make those files usable without upgrading your software? It really is that easy and I'll show you how.įirst up, you will need to download a copy of Inkscape. Have you ever found a great free file or a beautiful design on Etsy only to be disappointed that it doesn't come in.
