Laser Cutter Warm-up with Adobe Illustrator.
Laser Cutter Warm-up with Adobe Illustrator.
Embedded Files
Make a new document. File > New This menu will pop-up. Choose Profile > Print
Change the following:
Size: Letter
Width: 11 in
Height: 8.5 in
Units: Inches
Orientation: Portrait or Landscape
Color Mode: RGB
Final Check list prior to cutting.
The outer key ring hole should be 0.5in in diameter.
The inner key ring hole should be 0.18in in diameter
Make sure the red line is 0.005 pts for laser cutting
Make sure the line color is absolute red
RGB red 255 ,0, 0
Make sure the text color is absolute black
RGB black 0 ,0, 0
Make sure the height and width is about 2 in.
Save the file with your name in the title into your periods folder.
Keychain Planning
Keychain Planning
First come up with at least 8 different letter combinations that look good together.
Types of fonts to avoid or just be aware that they are more complicated.
Thin complicated fonts are more challenging
Hollow fonts are more challenging.
Complicated fonts are more challenging.
Complicated fonts are more challenging.
Noisy fonts are more challenging. Avoid!
Choose one that you like and one that can be easily cut out. The more complicated the font, the more challenging the next step.
Create 2 separate letters and arrange for a desired layout. Use your initials or someone else's.
To Engrave: Assign the Fill color to absolute Black. When the laser cutter sees absolute Black, it engraves that area. To change the color hold {SHIFT} + click on the swatch for the fill color.
Select all of your text elements and Expand them. Object > Expand. This will turn the text in to objects.
Select all the expanded elements (both Letters) and Unite them, so that now they are all one object.
Open the Pathfinder, select elements, and choose Unite. *If it worked, when you select one character, it will select all of your text.
With the object selected Object > Path > Offset Path I set the Path Offset to 0.1 in, yours will be different. Check the Preview Box to see the thickness.
With the text still selected change fill color so you see the change, then offset the path. *I choose blue just so I can see the change.
Setting up the perimeter for cutting. Select the offset path and assign the color to absolute Red (255, 0, 0) and give it a thickness of 0.005 pt and the Fill Color to 'No Fill'.
{SHIFT} click on the red swatch and the Swatch Options will appear.
*HOT TIP
Draw or scribble a rough path with the pencil (or Paintbrush). Now, with your path still selected, select the Smooth tool, click and drag across your selected path to smooth it out.
Repeat until you reach and accept able result:
Ok that looks pretty smooth, done. Notice that the smooth tool also reduces the amount of anchor points in your path.
Final Check list prior to cutting.
The outer key ring hole should be 0.5in in diameter.
The inner key ring hole should be 0.18in in diameter
Make sure the red line is 0.005 pts for laser cutting
Make sure the line color is absolute red
RGB red 255 ,0, 0
Make sure the text color is absolute black
RGB black 0 ,0, 0
Make sure the height and width is about 2 in.
Save the file with your name in the title into your periods folder.
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