Category: tools

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PDF Export for Laser Cutting

PDF Export for Laser Cutting

Creating a “laserable” PDF in Archicad

  • Make sure that all lines/areas to be processed by the laser cutter meet the following parameters:
    Cut = Red(RGB 255, 0, 0) (Hairline / 0.01mm thick)
    Engraved Line = Black (RGB 0, 0, 0) (Hairline / 0.01mm thick)
    Engraved Area = Blue  (RGB 0, 0,255) (Hairline / 0.01mm thick)
  • Degroup all drawn elements
  • Adapt “Page Options…” to your needs.
  • Go to “Document Options”.
    • Deselecting “Export Layers to PDF” to avoid exporting hidden layers leads to better results in some cases.
    • Setting the “Arc Resolution” up to the max leads to better results in some cases. The Arc Resolution Setting reflects the fact, that the PDF Format generated by Archicad does not recognize arcs/circles and must approximate them, by converting them to Polygons. 
  • If you are using Archicad Education Version, it might be helpful to edit your PDF in Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Illustrator or a similar graphics program before you import it into the Laser Cutter Software Ruby:
    • delete all unnecessary lines/areas in your file (watermarks, hatches or frames around your drawing. Remember to delete all the white lines/areas in the background and as well as in the foreground of your file.
    • In Adobe Illustrator: Switch to vector view to see all elements in your drawings and delete the ones, which are not intended to be there.

Creating a “laserable” PDF in Rhino

  • Make sure that all lines/areas to be processed by the laser cutter meet the following parameters:
    Cut = Red(RGB 255, 0, 0) (Hairline / 0.01mm thick)
    Engraved Line = Black (RGB 0, 0, 0) (Hairline / 0.01mm thick)
    Engraved Area = Blue  (RGB 0, 0,255) (Hairline / 0.01mm thick)
  • Choose “Vector Output” and “Display Color” for the export
  • It might be helpful to check your PDF in Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Illustrator or in a similar graphics program before you import it into the Laser Cutter Software Ruby:
    • delete all unnecessary lines/areas in your file (watermarks, hatches or frames around your drawing.
    • In Adobe Illustrator: Switch to vector view to see all elements in your drawings and delete the ones, which are not intended to be there.

 

Creating a “laserable” PDF  in Vectorworks

  • Make sure that all lines/areas to be processed by the laser cutter meet the following parameters:
    Cut = Red(RGB 255, 0, 0) (Hairline / 0.01mm thick)
    Engraved Line = Black (RGB 0, 0, 0) (Hairline / 0.01mm thick)
    Engraved Area = Blue  (RGB 0, 0,255) (Hairline / 0.01mm thick)
  • Degroup all drawn elements
  • Check that the Layers to export are not overlapping.
 

Wrong.

Correct.

 

 

  • Deselecting “Export Layers to PDF” to avoid exporting hidden layers.
  • It might be helpful to check your PDF in Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Illustrator or in a similar graphics program before you import it into the Laser Cutter Software Ruby:
    • delete all unnecessary lines/areas in your file (watermarks, hatches or frames around your drawing.
    • In Adobe Illustrator: Switch to vector view to see all elements in your drawings and delete the ones, which are not intended to be there.
 

 
 

Creating a “laserable” PDF  in AutoCad

  • Make sure that all lines/areas to be processed by the laser cutter meet the following parameters:
    Cut = Red(RGB 255, 0, 0) (Hairline / 0.03mm thick)
    Engraved Line = Black (RGB 0, 0, 0) (Hairline / 0.03mm thick)
    Engraved Area = Blue  (RGB 0, 0,255) (Hairline / 0.03mm thick)
  • It might be helpful to check your PDF in Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Illustrator or in a similar graphics program before you import it into the Laser Cutter Software Ruby:
    • delete all unnecessary lines/areas in your file (watermarks, hatches or frames around your drawing.
    • In Adobe Illustrator: Switch to vector view to see all elements in your drawings and delete the ones, which are not intended to be there.
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Tool Kit

Model Builders Tool Kit

Every model builder has their own set of favorite tools that they collected over many years of making. Owning your own set of tools is essential. It gives you access to a specific workflow that you can trust and produces the results you want. 

One good piece of advice is to buy tools when you need them and not in advance and to look around to see what tools others use!

The ‘essentials’ list should provide an overview of things you need to start model building. Once you progress on your journey, you might want to consider items on the list ‘for the ambitious maker.’ Owning tools and caring for and maintaining them will extend your capabilities and deepen your understanding of how the tangible world is put together substantially by raising awareness of the interconnection between idea and realization.