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How to Setup Files for use on Laser Cutter #1 (Trotec)
Students who have not taken the laser cutter class will need to sign up to use the cutter at least one day in advance, and mark "Need Training" on the sign-up sheet. You will not be trained (and hence, you will not be allowed to cut) unless you are signed up for training in advance.

1. Determine which material you will be using. This will determine the dimensions of the file.

Basswood: 28.5 x 6 inches
All other materials: 28 x 17 inches

2. The objects on your page must be discrete objects. Anything you wish to cut should be a closed shape. For example, if using Illustrator, do not use objects to hide parts of objects you do not wish to cut. You will also need to check that you do not have any doubled lines.

3. The cutter uses color and line-weight to determine which lines to cut, and which to engrave.

Cut lines:

• Illustrator: 100% Red, lineweight = 0.01 pts
• Autocad, 100% Red, lineweight = 0.13 mm

Engrave:

• Illustrator: Black, minimum of 1pt for lines to be engraved. Objects to be engraved must not be grouped.
• Autocad: 100% Blue, and items to be engraved must be on a separate layer. In the Material Template Setup, change Black from "Engrave" to "Skip", and set Blue to Engrave, copying the original values from the Black settings. This will help you avoid having "Created by an AutoDesk Educational Version" engraved on your material.

4. In Autocad: To cut to scale, create a rectangle enclosing your objects that is proportionate to the material you wish to use (28.5 x 6 units, for basswood, 28 x 17 units for others). In Illustrator, create your document with either 28.5inches x 6inches for basswood, or 28in. x 17in. for all other materials.

5. Bring your final file on CD, or USB key drive.