I wanted to cut some wooden jewellery pendants on my new CNC route,r but I have to design something to get the Gcode first. I was thinking something like a circle with the top of it pulled upwards and then a hole in the centre and a smaller hole at the top to hold a leather thong so people can put it around their neck. I know this is very scanty but you've got to start somewhere.
I'd add some pictures but I don't know how to do that here.
I've got a copy of the latest Inkscape software and I've added a circle but I don't know what to do next.
I'd be grateful if some one who knows what I'm talking about, another jewellery maker perhaps, could suggest what I should do next.
I followed your sugestions but when I came to Select both circles and go: Path-> Combine the picture disapears. There must be a way to show my design to you as it would be a lot easier to explain.
Any way I need to aline the two inner circles so they are exactly in the centre of my original drawing.
I'm grateful to you for taking the time to show me these techniques.
There must be a way to show my design to you as it would be a lot easier to explain.
Images can be attached by clicking the paperclip button below the reply area. Or, links to file sharing sites and image hosts can be placed in a reply.
My thanks to Polygon and Tyler for taking the time to answer my not so cool questions, but hey, at 75 its a bit of a learning curve (Inkscape + This Forum) so I'm bound to get it wrong to start with.
Now that I've got the inner circles alined in the centre can you tell me how to set bevels on the inner circles and the outside of the pendant.
I'm totaly impressed with your reply. Its above and beond what any member should expect here (I'd better stop there, as my tongue has started to go a browny colour)
I'm grateful for the explanation. Although the bevel bit isn't quite what I meant. I've included a couple of pictures of pendants below to explain easier. Its a kind of oval at the outer edges and on the inner edges as well.
We arer getting there, slowly but surely. I was thinking of making the inner circle a little smaller and pulling it up at the top to match the outer shape. Its just a matter of following your first post.
At last someone who knows what I'm trying to covey to everyone else. Although it may be because I'm crap at the way I try to explain my ideas to other people.
Is this something you've done or know someone else who can put curves on the outer and inner circles of pendants.
After all, isn't this the reason cnc routers were invented. If they can cut pockets then why not shanfer the edges of circles as well.
What would you call this technique, Shanfer, Bevlling, curving or something else.
Anyway thanks ver much for show all of us what I couldn't put into words.
Because a router needs a "chamfer bit" I´d call it "chamfering". But CNC uses V-groove bits mostly with 60° and 90° which can also do engraving on a 3-axis set-up plus "chamfering".
(Woodworker speaking here) You could have take pencil&paper for a sketch, take a photo with your phone and upload instead of letting people do all the guess work. This is not meant to be a complaint - just a suggestion for next time. ;-)
(CNC user speaking here) CNC routers can use any shape bit, drag knives, marking tools... V-bits are popular with CNC sign makers for routing text with serifs.
I wish I could help you more, but I have no experience with CNC routers. After reading your description, I felt the graphic may help you to get the right support.
Making the image look 3D does not mean it will be useful in creating gcode for 3D parts, but it can help communicate the desired outcome.
A CNC toolpath is generated from vectors programmed in 2D, 2.5D and 3D.
Simple profile cutouts are 2D. Inkscape can be used for these.
Profiles with secondary operations like chamfers are 2.5D. Inkscape can be used for these.
Profiles that combine with shapes of continuously changing height (e.g. smooth like stones or Pacer's earring) are 3D. Inkscape cannot generally be used for these... CAD and CAM programs are usually needed.
Thanks for explaining that. I have Inkscape installed on my shed computer and use it a lot but I wasn't sure if it would do the shamfering where the gcode needed to be generated. Will Fusion 360 be a substitute for this as I have the student copy.
I'd still consider Inkscape for a design like this. It would need to be sanded afterwards, even if made full 3D.
So, I'd run a cut profile with an endmill and sand to shape the chamfers; or run a chamfer operation with a v-bit followed by the profile cut using the endmill and have less sanding.
Depending on the diameter of the tooling (router bits), the same drawing could be used to generate both toolpaths... if the endmill is 6mm and the v-bit is 12mm, I'd run the same toolpath with the v-bit higher on the Z axis.
Fusion 360 includes CAM, but you may need to find a post-processor for your CNC controller software.
Some controller software (like laser engraver/cutters) can import a greyscale bitmap image, and vary the engrave depth based on the shade of grey.
Don't get me wrong Tyler I really apreciate your extended post but I'm new to this and only recently got a small cnc router. I'm not sure what your talking about here. What I'll do is print it out and take it step by step over the weekend.
Beginners' Questions Drawing an overted circle to look like a pendant
Inkscape.org
I wanted to cut some wooden jewellery pendants on my new CNC route,r but I have to design something to get the Gcode first. I was thinking something like a circle with the top of it pulled upwards and then a hole in the centre and a smaller hole at the top to hold a leather thong so people can put it around their neck. I know this is very scanty but you've got to start somewhere.
I'd add some pictures but I don't know how to do that here.
I've got a copy of the latest Inkscape software and I've added a circle but I don't know what to do next.
I'd be grateful if some one who knows what I'm talking about, another jewellery maker perhaps, could suggest what I should do next.
Your's Gratefully.
Michael.
You can add a sketch/screenshot or other files by dragging into the editor window or use the paperclip icon to upload.
Thanks a lot for the info I'll give it a try.
Michael
Hi
I followed your sugestions but when I came to Select both circles and go: Path-> Combine the picture disapears. There must be a way to show my design to you as it would be a lot easier to explain.
Any way I need to aline the two inner circles so they are exactly in the centre of my original drawing.
I'm grateful to you for taking the time to show me these techniques.
Michael.
2 inner circles?
Align+Distribute?
Images can be attached by clicking the paperclip button below the reply area. Or, links to file sharing sites and image hosts can be placed in a reply.
My thanks to Polygon and Tyler for taking the time to answer my not so cool questions, but hey, at 75 its a bit of a learning curve (Inkscape + This Forum) so I'm bound to get it wrong to start with.
Now that I've got the inner circles alined in the centre can you tell me how to set bevels on the inner circles and the outside of the pendant.
Thanks again lads.
Michael.
1. Align+Distribute
2. Fill color
3. Path->Combine
4. increasing Stroke width for Bevel?
Hi Polygon
I'm totaly impressed with your reply. Its above and beond what any member should expect here (I'd better stop there, as my tongue has started to go a browny colour)
I'm grateful for the explanation. Although the bevel bit isn't quite what I meant. I've included a couple of pictures of pendants below to explain easier. Its a kind of oval at the outer edges and on the inner edges as well.
I hope that helps with what I was trying to say.
Best regards.
Michael.
What´s super easy for me to do in another SVG editor like this (just few clicks in less than a minute):
costs me some nerves in Inkscape and does not satisfy me:
Hi Polygon
We arer getting there, slowly but surely. I was thinking of making the inner circle a little smaller and pulling it up at the top to match the outer shape. Its just a matter of following your first post.
I'll try that this weekend.
Thanks as usual for your help.
Michael.
Hi Michael.
You may no longer need this, but is this close to what you describe?
Hi Pacer
At last someone who knows what I'm trying to covey to everyone else. Although it may be because I'm crap at the way I try to explain my ideas to other people.
Is this something you've done or know someone else who can put curves on the outer and inner circles of pendants.
After all, isn't this the reason cnc routers were invented. If they can cut pockets then why not shanfer the edges of circles as well.
What would you call this technique, Shanfer, Bevlling, curving or something else.
Anyway thanks ver much for show all of us what I couldn't put into words.
Fabian.
Because a router needs a "chamfer bit" I´d call it "chamfering". But CNC uses V-groove bits mostly with 60° and 90° which can also do engraving on a 3-axis set-up plus "chamfering".
(Woodworker speaking here) You could have take pencil&paper for a sketch, take a photo with your phone and upload instead of letting people do all the guess work. This is not meant to be a complaint - just a suggestion for next time. ;-)
(CNC user speaking here) CNC routers can use any shape bit, drag knives, marking tools... V-bits are popular with CNC sign makers for routing text with serifs.
@FabianPruitt
I wish I could help you more, but I have no experience with CNC routers. After reading your description, I felt the graphic may help you to get the right support.
Ok Pacer
Thanks for your help. I'll keep searching for an answer, something will come up.
Best of luck.
Fabian.
Making the image look 3D does not mean it will be useful in creating gcode for 3D parts, but it can help communicate the desired outcome.
A CNC toolpath is generated from vectors programmed in 2D, 2.5D and 3D.
Hello Tyler
Thanks for explaining that. I have Inkscape installed on my shed computer and use it a lot but I wasn't sure if it would do the shamfering where the gcode needed to be generated. Will Fusion 360 be a substitute for this as I have the student copy.
Thanks for the heads up.
Fabian.
I'd still consider Inkscape for a design like this. It would need to be sanded afterwards, even if made full 3D.
So, I'd run a cut profile with an endmill and sand to shape the chamfers; or run a chamfer operation with a v-bit followed by the profile cut using the endmill and have less sanding.
Depending on the diameter of the tooling (router bits), the same drawing could be used to generate both toolpaths... if the endmill is 6mm and the v-bit is 12mm, I'd run the same toolpath with the v-bit higher on the Z axis.
Fusion 360 includes CAM, but you may need to find a post-processor for your CNC controller software.
Some controller software (like laser engraver/cutters) can import a greyscale bitmap image, and vary the engrave depth based on the shade of grey.
Don't get me wrong Tyler I really apreciate your extended post but I'm new to this and only recently got a small cnc router. I'm not sure what your talking about here. What I'll do is print it out and take it step by step over the weekend.
I should be able to sort something out.
Thanks a lot for your help.
Fabian.