File Set Up

Laser cutting is a computer numerically controlled (CNC) process whereby vector paths are converted into a list of executable instructions controlling the laser’s x & y axis movements. FIle settings such as path thickness, colour/fill and material selection dictate the laser cutters' speed, frequency, power and z-axis movements.

All files for dFab's laser cutters must be created / exported to the Adobe Illustrator .Ai format. This ensures accessibility for all students regardless of their CAD proficiency.

File Settings

New Document

Artboard Size

Set the Units to Millimeters and make the Artboard either;

• the size of the laser cutter bed (Lasers 1&2: 800x500mm, Lasers 4-7: 1000x700mm)

or

• your sheet size (recommended to ensure laser does not fire directly into vector tray)

Colour Mode

Select Advanced Options and set the Colour Mode to RGB Colour

Existing Document

Artboard Size

Select the Artboard Tool(Shift+O) and modify the size of your artboard to either;

• the size of the laser cutter bed (Lasers 1&2: 800x500mm, Lasers 4-7: 1000x700mm)

  or

• your sheet size.

Colour Mode

1. Change File Colour Mode to RGB

   File -> Document Colour Mode -> RGB Colour

2. Convert all existing paths and objects to RGB

Highlight your Artwork Ctrl+A / Cmd+A and select the Paint Pallette, click more options and check that all elements in the Artwork are RGB.

If the option for RGB is greyed out, you must open a NEW document, set the Colour Mode to RGB Colour and then copy your artwork across to the new document.

Assigning Laser Functions

Function	Stroke Colour	Stroke Weight	Fill Colour
Cut	R: 255 G: 0 B: 0	0.01mm	No Fill
Internal Cut	R: 0 G: 255 B: 0	0.01mm	No Fill
Engrave	R: 0 G: 0 B: 255	0.01mm	No Fill
Etch	No Stroke	No Stroke	R: 0 G: 0 B: 0

Internal Cut paths will be cut prior to Cut paths.

Ensuring files will cut correctly

The following should NOT be present in any laser cutting file;

Groups

Clipping Masks

Dashed or Dotted Paths

Superimposed, double or duplicate paths

Artwork exceeding the artboard area

Type Objects

Incorrect Colours

Incorrect Strokeweights

We recommend reviewing the File Preparation Checklist before laser cutting.