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.