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: 28.5 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. Note: You will have to double-check that your colors are correct when you open your file on the laser cutter computer.
Cut lines: Make a "cut" layer for all objects that will be cut.
• Illustrator: 100% Red, lineweight = 0.01 pts
• Autocad, 100% Red, lineweight = 0.05 mm.
Vector Engrave: This is faster than raster engraving, but will only engrave lines, not areas of color. Make a "Vector Engrave" layer for all objects that will be vector engraved.
• Illustrator: Global (100%) Yellow, lineweight = 0.01 pts
• Autocad, 100% Yellow, lineweight = 0.05 mm
Raster Engrave: Slow. Can do area engraving (solid shapes). Make a "raster engrave" layer for all items that will be raster engraved.
• Illustrator: Global (100%) Green, minimum of 0.05 pt for lines to be engraved. Objects to be engraved must not be grouped.
• Autocad: 100% Green
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, 28.5 x 17 units for others). In Illustrator, create your document with either 28.5inches x 6inches for basswood, or 28.5in. x 17in. for all other materials. Each sheet you intend to cut should be in its own file.
5. Bring your final file on CD, or USB key drive.
