User:Omegix/Notes/Laser Cutter Notes

Notes on editing files in preparation for laser cutting:

• Inkscape
  • To get text to transfer to DXF, remember to highlight it and select Path->"Object to Path"
  • To make curves appear better, Menu -> Extensions -> Modify Paths -> Flatten Beziers
    • set the Flatness to something like 0.1
• You have to save the file as dxf in order to import into RdWorks
  • Another program you can open dxf files in is LibreCAD, to see if the problem is on the export vs. import side
• RdWorks
  • in rdworks, scan is the raster setting, and cut is the vector setting
    • scan will fill in letters instead of just showing the outlines
    • Double click on the layer to change it from scan to cut
  • RdWorks will likely get your scaling wrong, make sure to resize it
    • Resize by paying attention to the numbers to the right of the resize arrows
    • there is a way to change from mm to inches, google it.
  • Click the Download button to send to the laser cutter