Using Inkscape for laser cutting

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Introduction[edit | edit source]

Inkscape is a popular tool within creative commons/opensource communities, e.g. fab labs and for several reasons:

The drawing tool is decent enough
It supports the popular SVG format (and uses an extended version for itself). This allows publishing drawings directly on an HTML5 page. In addition, there are nice repositories for drawings, e.g. http://clipart.org or the https://thenounproject.com.
There are interesting extensions and probably, over time, there will be more.

Before you start: Make sure to install the latest version. We found that Inkscape 0.49 (that somehow survived in the program files (x86) directory) did not produce proper print files for cutting.

Using Inkscape with Trotec laser cutters[edit | edit source]

Trotec CO2 laser cutters seem to work like most other laser cutting machines:

Very thin lines (<= 0.01mm or < 0.25pt) are coded with a color and then cut according to settings for each color.
Geometry for engraving is also encoded with a color and then engraved according to settings for each color. Alternatively there is a "picture" mode that takes into account all objects for engraving, i.e. it will do grey-scale dithering.

Make sure to create files that include

fine (red) lines for cutting (if you need to cut)
standard (black) lines and fills for engraving

You may not be able to engrave fonts. In that case (only), once you are happy with a font, make a copy of the file and save it, then convert fonts to paths. Verify that both fills and lines are defined if you want both.

If your drawing is ready:

Resize the document to the size of the graphic + 1mm on each size. If it is resized you can place several files on a plate. If the drawing sits in a big sheet of paper (as opposed to resizing the document) then tell at least the laser to reduce (Jobcontrol of Trotec can do this)
Send it to the laser cutter.

There is some better information in french

Using Inkscape with K40 Laser Cutter[edit | edit source]

The K40 is a cheap chinese made laser cutter with terrible software mostly written in chinese and requiring a dongle to use. But, it has been reverse engineered by Scorchworks to control the Laser Cutter directly and get all the resulting bells and whistles from that process. So it directly loads Inkscape svg (and others) files and uses them to control the laser cutter. Turning what was a pretty terrible experience into something more reasonable. But, it also means that Inkscape is one of the primary ways people use the device. Scorchworks K40.

Working with patterns[edit | edit source]

Generate from path extension[edit | edit source]

The first you do this, you may make mistakes and damage some drawings. We therefore recommend saving the file into a new version, before each major operation.

Set all units to mm's, otherwise you may get dimensions wrong and pieces will not fit.

File->Document Properties
Page TAB: Set default units: mm and Units:mm
Grids Tab: Set Grid units: mm

Let's assume that you want add objects along a path and/or use a series of objects along a path for some subtractive () geometry:

Scatter an object along a path - principle

Make sure that object to be repeated is on top of the other drawings.
Select first the object you want to repeat, then the path (holding down the SHIFT key)
Select Extensions->Generate from Path-> Scatter
Use the preview to play with parameters. Distances seem to be in pixels
After applying, ungroup and adjust individual members.

Scatter and subtract

To subtract the pattern from another path, e.g. a dinosaur

Create a layer for the dinosaur: dino
Right-click on the dinosaur and move it to this new dino layer, lock it
Create a second layer for the pattern: pattern
Copy/paste the dinosaur to this new pattern layer
Splice out a path from the copy (read the Using Inkscape for web animation) and kill the rest
Draw a rectangle that will create the "cuts"
Remove the path from the rectangle or make it hairline (also make a copy of it since you may want to add one manually)
Proceed as above, i.e. create the scatter using the generate from path extension
Remove the path
Ungroup and fix individual elements if needed (clicking twice on an object allows to rotate)
Make a single path from the rectangles. Select all, ungroup all, then Path->Union.
Position if not already done so.
Unlock dino layer, Select the dinosaur
Select the new pattern
Path-> Difference
(Optional) With the extra rectangle make some "cuts" in the legs.

The three pictures below illustrate the most important steps of the procedure (creation of the path is not included)

1. Select both an object to replicate and a path

2. Result of the operation. This still needs to made into a single path (degroup all and union)

3. Final result (first trial). The red line then had be reduced to 0.01mm and some insets had to be adjusted a bit. However, better adjust the rectangles before union and subtraction !

Later, I changed the model a bit (longer/higher neck, 3mm insets)

The dinosaur was extended from this (the big red one in the back). I cut away the head and added a long neck (yes this a heavy genetic splice). Also made the tail somewhat prettier ;

Using fonts[edit | edit source]

In some "modes" you cannot directly print fonts. They have to be transformed to drawings (either strokes or fills). (I actually have to check this in more detail because I never had problems, my students did - Daniel K. Schneider (talk) 2 November 2016 ( oct 2017).

Fonts for cutting[edit | edit source]

Transform the fonts to path (once you are happy), then remove the fills or rather change it to a color that will not be engraved (e.g. light blue).

Fonts for engraving[edit | edit source]

Globally speaking, a font used for engraving:

should neither be too thin (details being lost) or too fat (too much materials to remove)
should not be too cramped (e.g. like TimesRoman). There should be some space between the letters.

It probably is best to convert fonts to paths and wind up with fills. There are two possibilities:

Hollow letters: add stroke and remove fill, then transform stroke to fill
Filled letters: add fill and remove stroke

Alternatively, install the Hershey text Inkscape extension. It includes fonts that are nice for engraving, i.e. so-called stroke-based fonts.

EggBot extension download

Advice for token lettering[edit | edit source]

E.g. tokens for simulations and games

Use a simple font like Tahoma or even good old Helvetica
Bold (also consider engraving twice or defocusing the lens a bit)
14pt (smaller also can work, but it's more difficult to read)

Resources[edit | edit source]

There are commercial specialized websites that provide fonts suitable for cutting and engraving.

Onlinefonts.com
Fontspace.com has free engraving fonts.

Image processing[edit | edit source]

I'd have to see the Trotec Control software which does have some built-in image processing facility.

Importing

Import the picture
Object->Transform->Scale

Greyscale and contrasts

Transform to Greyscale (the laser only has 1 color, i.e. depth): Filters -> Color -> GreyScale
Play with contrast and brightness to make the picture more "black and white" and still preserve details you want to engrave: Filters -> Color -> Lightness Contrast

Aggregate

Aggregate pixels to larger surfaces. You can use various filters for that (optional)
Raytrace the whole thing, i.e. translate pixels to vectors. (optional): Path -> Trace Bitmap
- I suggest (for now) playing with brightness cutoff, e.g. select 0.2 to take away greys, also

List of extensions[edit | edit source]

First, learn how to install extensions. Basically, you have to find the extension directory and then copy all the files

Read Inkscape Extensions and Addons
For Ubuntu, read How to install inkscape extension in Ubuntu.

Some extensions may not work, either because they were not tested on your operation system or because they are not compatible with your inkscape version.

JigSaw Extension[edit | edit source]

This extensions allows to generate puzzles. Tested in Inkscape 0.91, Ubuntu 16LTS in Sept 2016.

Read and Download

Test under Ubuntu 16 LTS

This works, under the condition to copy manually the contents of the *.py and *.inx files from Github. Click to open, then "raw", then copy/paste.
The puzzle may to too small to see when you try it first time, since the lines are very faint. Make it bigger.

Lasercut box[edit | edit source]

This extensions allows to create "saw tooth" boxes. Tested in Inkscape 0.91, Ubuntu 16LTS in Sept 2016.

EggBot extension[edit | edit source]

The eggbot is a open-source art robot that can draw on spherical or egg-shaped objects. The Inkscape eggboot extension eases the design process for writing and drawing on eggs. However, some of its functionality can be useful for laser cutting and engraving, in particular the Hershey fonts which generate drawings (glyphs as opposed to fonts).

EggBot Software

Seamless Pattern extension[edit | edit source]

(not yet tested)

For engraving larger surfaces it is better to use a nice pattern (as opposed to "milling" off a whole area)

Download (click on the small download arrow).

However, this extension does not seem to be browser compatible, i.e. may produce some kind of raster format (to be tested).

Alternatively, Inkscape does have built-in "pattern" facility. Not so easy, search for tutorials.

Links[edit | edit source]

Official

Inkscape home page and download
Inkscape Extensions and Addons