Vinyl Cut Pop Up Card using an Image

Today you will create a pop-up card using Inkscape, cardstock, and the Cameo Cutter.

Download the template and Open in Inkscape

Below is an explanation of what you see in the Template. Please design in the smaller black outline on the left, that way, none of the template gets moved in the design process.

Locate 11 by 8.5 Template at the bottom of the page. Right-Click on the down arrow and save to the Desktop. Right-Click on the file and select Inkscape. Leave Inkscape open in the background as we search for an image...

Find an Image

Go to Google Image Search to find a shape for your design, like a flower, sun, or animal. Add keywords like silhouette or outline. See the image below for examples of images that will work well, and images that won't.

Bad Images

The images below are examples of "Bad Images" -- images which won't cut well because parts are not connected.

Good Images

The images below are examples of "Good Images" -- images which will cut well.

"Good Images" vs. "Bad Images"

This isn't a question of taste -- some images will work better than others for vinyl cutting and laser cutting. For magnets, we want a mostly solid shape, which is why we search for outlines and silhouettes. Detailed images mean more cut lines, which can weaken the object we're designing.

Saving the Image

Click on the image, click View Image. To save, Right-Click, select Save As, and select Desktop.

Add the Image to the Template

Clicking and dragging is an easy way to move or add files. On the Desktop, click on the downloaded image, and holding down the mouse button, drag the image to Inkscape. In the popup dialog, check off Embed and click OK.

Trace Bitmap

By "tracing" the bitmap (PNGs, JPGs, GIFs), Inkscape will create a set of vector paths, which are cutting instructions for laser and vinyl cutters.

With the image selected, go to Path>Trace Bitmap. In the popup dialog, under Multiple Scans, select Grays, Remove Background, and reduce Scans to 2.

Click Update to get a preview of the trace. Click OK to accept the trace. Click on the big X to close the window.

Delete the Bitmap

Delete the original image and keep the trace. If it is hard to distinguish which is the original, click on one and click on the Path Node Tool. If no nodes appear, it is a bitmap and you can delete it. If nodes appear, keep it and delete the other!

Turn Off Fill and Turn On Stroke

Sometimes there are things hiding in an image, so we want to turn off fill and turn on stroke. Go to Object>Fill and Stroke. Use the settings below.

Fill: No Paint. Stroke paint: Flat Color. Stroke style: 0.003 in.

Resize the Vector (if needed)

Make sure the shape fits within the black rectangle outline. Do this by clicking on the shape. Click on the lock to constrain proportions. Use a corner handle to resize so it fits in the black rectangle outline. Click and drag on the shape to place it within the template.

Delete the Black Rectangle Outline

The outline was intended to keep the template from being accidentally shifted. Delete the black rectangle outline.

Move to Template, Path>Difference

Move your design to the template's red box. Make sure the design touches the top and bottom of the red box. When aligned properly, select the image and the red box and go to Path>Difference. Crossing lines should have disappeared. If not, ask for help!

Save your file as an SVG and DXF

Save as an SVG (SVGs are easier to edit and adapt in the future). Save as a DXF for the vinyl cutter. In the DXF dialog, change Base Unit to Inches and click OK.

DXF is the file we will open in Silhouette Studio.

We have also created a solid, blank card for the pop up background.

Open your file in Silhouette Studio

Caution: The red and black lines are independent of each other. When you move or resize any parts, make sure to SELECT ALL so as not to misalign them.

Page Size, Line Style and Cut Style

Change the page size to letter size and Landscape.

Select the black lines and change the line style to a widely spaced dashed line.

With the black lines still selected, change the cut style to Perforated.

We're just about ready to cut!

(If there is time, words or shapes may also be added into the solid space above or below the message, which will allow the background color to show through.)

Survey

Surveys are here: https://sites.google.com/site/cplmakerlab/surveys

Links

Resources

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VMyNZ7dL_k

http://studentz.squidoo.com/paper-cutting-art-techniques-how-to-cut-intricate-patterns-projects-for-beginners

http://littlegreenbox.wordpress.com/2010/09/16/pop-up-tutorial-2-asymmetric-box-fold/

Inspirational

http://www.etsy.com/listing/10671133/happy-birthday-pop-up-card

http://www.instructables.com/id/Pixelated-popup-card/