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RDWorks V8
The Laser Engraving and Cutting System uses computer numerical control machine tools to achieve effective control, according to the user’s different design. The system includes the control board and control panel LCD, and supporting software. This manual describes how to use the software to complete the task of laser processing.
RDWorks Interface
RDWorks Interface
After starting the software, the you will see an interface like that shown below.
Menu Bar: The main functions of the software are implemented through the Menu Bar. Commands executed through the Menu Bar include some of the most basic functions, including Document, Edit, Draw, Setting, Processing, View, and Help.
System Bar: Some of the most commonly used command buttons chosen from the menu are placed on the System bar.
Graphics Bar: Basic graphic attributes as graphic location, size, scale, and number processing are accessed through the graphics bar.
Edit Bar: The default location of the edit bar is on the left of the work area. Tools that the user uses frequently can be placed in the edit bar to increase ease and flexibility of operation.
Align Bar: Used to align selected objects.
Layer Bar: Used to change the layering of selected objects.
Control Panel: Used to complete laser processing of multiple tasks, including the setting of layer parameters, axis control, processing, and so on.
RDWorks Page Settings
RDWorks Page Settings
When you use RDWorks you need to know how to change Page Settings. You need to set the Page Width and Height to match our laser beds width (X) and height (Y). As well as set the Grid Spacing. In the Config(S) menu, click on Page Settings. In the Page size section, the “Page width (X)” is 16 inch, the “Page height (Y)” is 14 inch. Check the Grid box and set the “Gridspace” to 0.5 inch. Be sure your Page Settings match the ones in the dialog box below.
Note: Once connected to the Laser, the software will automatically format the page size for the current operation. However, if the laser is not connected or if a custom page size is needed (adjust the page size to the material), the user should reconfigure the page size.
Open/Save Files
Open/Save Files
The software uses the "rld” file format to save graphic information, layer parameters, and the processing of graphic elements.
To open a file, click on menu File > Open, or click on the folder icon (Shown a the right) to open the dialog box below:
Select the desired file and click on Open.
Click on menu File > Save or click the Disk icon. (Shown a the right) The Save As dialog box appears.
Enter the file name in the edit box, then click on Save.
File Import
File Import
Vector Files
Files not in rld format must be imported. The file types that can be imported include Vector and Raster files. Vector files include dxf, ai, plt, dst, and dsb as well as many other formats. For most vector files, the RDWorks software will automatically import the file into the corresponding layer of RDWorks according to the color layer description as set in your Layer Parameters. We will import mostly DXF files.
Click on menu File > Import, or click the Import icon, (Shown a the right) to invoke the following dialog box
If the Preview Check box is selected, the file will be shown in the preview screen when selected. Click Open to begin working on the file.
Raster files
Files not in rld format must be imported. Raster file include bmp, jpg, gif, png, and mng, as well as many other formats,.
Click on menu File > Import, or click the Import icon, (Shown a the right) to invoke the following dialog box
If the Preview Check box is selected, the file will be shown in the preview screen when selected. Click Open to begin working on the file.
Frequently used graphics can be stored in the gallery for ease of use.
Click on menu File > Image Library.
Select the graphic you which to add, then select Export all.
Creating Basic Graphics
Lines: To draw lines, take the following steps:
Click Menu > Draw > Line,or click the Edit Bar icon (Shown a the right), and drag the mouse on the screen to draw the desired line. Press the “Ctrl” key while dragging the mouse to draw horizontal or vertical line.
Polgon/Polylines: To draw polylines, take the following actions:
Click Menu > Draw > Polgon, or click the Edit Bar icon (Shown a the right), and drag the mouse across screen to draw the desired polyline.
Rectangles: Take the following actions to draw rectangles:
Click Menu>Draw > Rectangle, or click the Edit Bar icon icon (Shown a the right) & drag the mouse on the screen to draw the sides of the desired rectangle. Press the “Ctrl” key while dragging the mouse to draw a square.
Ellipses: Take the following measures to draw ellipses:
Click Menu > Draw > Ellipse，or click the Edit Bar icon icon (Shown a the right), and drag the mouse on the screen to draw the desired ellipse. Press the “Ctrl” key while dragging the mouse to draw a circle.
Point: Points are drawn as follows:
Click Menu > Draw > Ellipse, or click the Edit Bar icon icon (Shown a the right). A point can also be drawn simply by clicking the mouse on the screen.
Text: To add text, take the following steps:
Click Menu > Draw > Text, or click the Edit Bar icon icon (Shown a the right), and then insert text into the resulting pop-up text dialog box.
Object Selection
The first step in drawing and editing graphics is the selection of the initial object. This can be done by clicking on it while in the Selection mode. An x-shaped mark will appear in the center of the selected object, which will also be surrounded by eight control points Click and drag any of these points to re-size the object. Drag diagonally to change height and width at the same time. Clicking and dragging on the x-shaped mark will move the object to your desired location.
Click menu Draw > Select, or click the arrow icon (Shown a the right), the Edit bar will switch, to status “Select.” This status enables the user to select an object.
Objects may be selected in five different ways:
Click Menu Edit > Select All（Shortcuts Ctrl+A), and select all objects;
Click on the screen to select a single object;
Select an object by left clicking and dragging the cursor diagonally over the object, creating a graphic select box that encloses the object
Use the “increased select object/minus select object” process, which includes the following steps: Increase select: Press "Shift” key, click or box select to increase select object. Minus select: Press "Shift” key, click or box to deselect the selected object. 5) Select the object according to layer.
Select an object according to layer, right -click the selected layer, in the layers panel, to select all objects in that layer. Does not work with grouped objects
Object Color
The color of an object is the color of the objects outline. You can click the color button on the Layer Bar to change the color of the object that has been selected. The color of the pressed button will make the current layer that color. Also, anything created from that point on will be that color. If you import a file with colors, they will be added to the work layer but not to the color bar. Color Bar colors are RGB colors.
Select an object(s) with the selection tool, then choose a color from the color layer bar to assign it a layer. You now can set the parameters to the layer, which will be explained later.
Object Transformation
Transformation refers to a change in the location, orientation or size of an object. Changes to the basic shape or characteristics of an object usually are not considered transformations.”
You can also use the Control Panel > Transform Tab tools to transform and copy the graphics.
The object transformation menu – provides a convenient interface for users wishing to change the location, orientation or size of a selected object. The user can mirror and rotate an object within the draw toolbar. The user also can use the Object Properties toolbar to transform objects.
Object Rotate
An object can be rotated by first double left clicking twice anywhere on the object, and then by clicking on the appropriate corner icon and rotating clockwise or counter- clockwise.
To drag rotate, move the cursor to a corner
and then press & hold the left mouse button key. Drag the cursor to adjust the
angle of rotation. Note that the rotating wire-frame outline will accompany the dragging process.
The user can enter the precise angle of rotation in the Object Properties toolbar, positive numbers are counter clockwise and negative numbers rotate clockwise. You may also use the spin rotation transformation tool to set and lock the center of rotation.
Placing The Object Relative to the Origin
RDWorks provides the following tools to control the placement of a selected object:
Clicking the
icon results in the placement of the object in the center of the page, such that the center of the page and
the center of the object overlap.
The use of the
icons causes the selected object to be placed in one of the upper or
lower, right or left hand corners.or lower, right or left hand corners.
Object Alignment
The precise alignment of objects can be determined by making use of the tools provided by the Alignment Bar. The specific functions invoked by the icons on the Alignment Bar include the following:
From left to right, these icons cause left alignment, right alignment, top alignment, bottom alignment, horizontal center alignment and vertical center alignment.
Object View
Roll the Mouse Wheel to Zoom In or Out at the Cursor's Location.
Move: Click on menu Edit > Move, or click icon (shown to the right). Then hold down the left mouse button in the drawing area, and drag and pan.
Zoom Out: Click on menu Edit > Zoom Out, or click icon (shown to the right). With each click, the drawing area will zoom out once. Move the mouse to the drawing area and click. With each click, the mouse is positioned as the center of the drawing area and will zoom out once.
Zoom In: Click on menu Edit > Zoom In, or click icon (shown to the right). With each click, the drawing area will zoom in once. Move the mouse to the drawing area and click. With each click, the mouse is positioned as the center of the drawing area and will zoom in once.
View Select: Click on menu Edit > View Selection, or click icon (shown to the right). Move the mouse to the drawing area, hold down the left mouse button and drag, a dashed border box will show in the drawing area, release the mouse button, then the region in the dashed border box will display enlarged and centered in the drawing area
View Page Frame: Click on menu Edit > View Page Frame, or click icon (shown to the right) . The full page frame will display.
View Data Frame: Click on menu [Edit] -> [View Data Frame], and click icon (shown to the right). The selected objects will fill the display area.
Note, an object must be selected to enable this icon.
Group And Un-Group
Often times various individual graphics must be grouped together, or un-grouped, for one operation or another. Grouping and un-grouping is accomplished by selecting a group of graphics, or a previously grouped aggregate of objects, and then Click on menu Edit > Group or Click on menu Edit > Un-group, or by clicking the group or un-group icons (shown below) on the toolbar. Another extremely useful feature of this function is for manipulation, and justifying, text.
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