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.
Figure out a combination you like.
Select both letters and Expand them. This will convert them to an object and make them editable.
Object > Expand
Hit OK
It should look like this.
Select the object you want to Edit.
Using the Eraser Tool delete the area of the object that you do not want.
Like this . . .
Use the Smooth Tool to "paint" along the the curve that you want smooth . . . Direct Select the shape first.
Select both shapes and then a new menu will show called Pathfinder. Select the first option to unite the to shapes. This will convert it to one object.
It should look like this . . .
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.
It should look like this . . .
It should look something like this . . .
It should look like this . . .
Make two circles 0.12 in X 0.12 in AND 0.5 in X 0.5 in
Select ONLY the 0.5 in circle and the initial perimeter shape and then a new menu will show called Pathfinder. Select the first option to unite the to shapes. This will convert it to one object.
It should look likr this . . .
Make sure the red lines are set to 0.005 pts for the laser cutting width.
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.
Final Check list prior to cutting.
The outer key ring hole should be 0.5in - diameter.
The inner key ring hole should be 0.12 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.
*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.
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