Post ATu9srMYXaOcRyEBtI by tobyjaffey@mastodon.me.uk
(DIR) More posts by tobyjaffey@mastodon.me.uk
(DIR) Post #ATu81euG1U6mW03kDw by EdS@mastodon.sdf.org
2023-03-23T10:27:27Z
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Asking for a friend:"does anyone know what FREE graphics package produces clean #SVG files for the laser cutter? I tried #Inkscape but it is problematic with its infilling."The #lasercutter in question is a #Glowforge.#maker Boosts welcome!@mcdanlj
(DIR) Post #ATu8UiXXamecBNI2zo by eddlestonian@noc.social
2023-03-23T10:32:41Z
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@EdS @mcdanlj An SVG file, or Scalable Vector Graphics file, is a vector image file format used for 2D graphics and animations. Unlike raster image file formats such as JPEG, PNG, and GIF, which are made up of a grid of pixels, SVG files use mathematical equations to define the shapes and lines that make up the image. This makes SVG files resolution-independent, meaning they can be scaled up or down without losing quality.
(DIR) Post #ATu8jgpMF4J7DMlNbc by GustavinoBevilacqua@mastodon.cisti.org
2023-03-23T10:35:23Z
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@EdS @mcdanlj Inkscape has various export options, even one for "clean" SVG.What happens converting all the shapes into paths?And which type are the infill used? Not every available infill is converted to a path.
(DIR) Post #ATu9gxtgQ8O7F03E48 by publius@mastodon.sdf.org
2023-03-23T10:46:08Z
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@EdS @mcdanlj Now that's interesting, because I have always used Inkscape with no particular problem. It is, however, entirely possible that your friend is doing something specific I've never tried.
(DIR) Post #ATu9srMYXaOcRyEBtI by tobyjaffey@mastodon.me.uk
2023-03-23T10:48:15Z
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@EdS @mcdanlj This may help, if you want filled regions. https://wiki.evilmadscientist.com/Creating_filled_regions
(DIR) Post #ATuBWLUEZh8N7qDAPI by StefanoGaivota@universeodon.com
2023-03-23T11:06:36Z
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@EdS @mcdanlj FreeCAD has always provided clean SVG exports for me.* Select the geometries you wish to export* Menu: Export: Save-as-Filetype: "Flattened SVG"
(DIR) Post #ATuBlfQAk0MHILcKy8 by mcdanlj@social.makerforums.info
2023-03-23T11:09:22Z
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@EdS I gently suggest that the way your friend is using Inkscape is probably the issue; many, many laser cutter/engraver users happily and successfully use Inkscape for their work. That's not your friend's fault, but understanding what is wrong will be more helpful than switching tools. Heck, even if they switch tools they might run into the same problem!I'd suggest that they share actual SVGs with photos of the resulting problem and a description of what they wanted different. "Problematic" is unlikely to help.They will probably want to do this on a glowforge forum, because glowforge is limited to its own cloud software to interpret the SVGs, so all the common tools like Lightburn, Meerk40t, and K40 Whisperer are not relevant to their problem.
(DIR) Post #ATualYG5rw4jw0wdoO by nelson@tech.lgbt
2023-03-23T15:21:31Z
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@EdS as folks have said, Inkscape is the editor of choice for a lot of folks doing this kind of thing. Not sure precisely what they want from infilling but it's complicated.A friend of mine said good things about this alternate SVG editor's output: https://boxy-svg.com/The vpype tool may also be of interest, but that's a Python program for manipulating SVG files, not a GUI editor.
(DIR) Post #ATwBpVQKF4YBlLRIgq by whvholst@eupolicy.social
2023-03-24T10:19:27Z
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@EdS @mcdanlj IME LibreCAD produced fairly clean SVG output
(DIR) Post #ATxDJoUB5oAnnRfZOS by evermore@mastodon.cloud
2023-03-24T16:30:54Z
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@EdS @mcdanlj +1 for asking on the Glowforge forum &, posting images & a detailed description. There are a lot of very knowledgeable and experienced people there who respond cheerfully to stuff like this. I have been using Inkscape do design all kinds of stuff to cut on a Glowforge for years now &, haven’t run into a problem that matches that description. If you want to share the detailed description+images here, I am happy to try to help. Feel free to DM me.
(DIR) Post #ATxDJuV6jGTwS49Ofw by EdS@mastodon.sdf.org
2023-03-24T22:06:20Z
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Thanks (everyone) I'm relaying all the hints and tips and advice back to my friend.(The particular challenge is more etching than cutting, making specific shallow shapes.)@evermore @mcdanlj
(DIR) Post #ATxRe6vjcoDu9Q8EXA by evermore@mastodon.cloud
2023-03-24T22:43:04Z
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@EdS @mcdanljEngraving is not uncommon. I have used the Glowforge to make pockets in wood and acrylic (e.g., for flush-setting magnets and routing wires). If you look at the box I posted earlier today, you can see some filled engraves. That was all set up in Inkscape.
(DIR) Post #ATyZZoTFJC0eX6EBrk by EdS@mastodon.sdf.org
2023-03-25T13:55:01Z
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Nice (laser cut, engraved) box!https://mastodon.cloud/@evermore/110079222302934745@evermore @mcdanlj
(DIR) Post #AV1AiSATGmnresiS7U by scruss@xoxo.zone
2023-04-25T15:42:03Z
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@EdS @mcdanlj heavy Inkscape and Glowforge user here. Glowforge doesn't use the fill attribute of an SVG shape. Shapes for cutting / engraving / scoring should be on separate layers, ideally in different colours.Inkscape also assigns widths to lines. This might be confusing Glowforge. Every Inkscape instance I have has Preferences -> Tools -> Bounding Box to use -> Geometric bounding box set so that objects draw at the proper size.