Hello! I am using inkscape to edit an a SVG to create a box with my laser cutting machine. What I would like to do is merge either text or an outline of text with a border to make a cut out. Pictured here is the outline of the text (dynamic offset) and then the inside edge of the border. I want to combine them so the laser cuts part of the edges, but leaves the other parts in tact... if that makes any sense. I will then engrave the text in the inside of the offset area. I cannot get it to work. I also tried this with the text by itself (combining text so that it also touches the borders and will become connected to the borders but the part around it will be cut out). I hope this is clear but can anyone help me? So far, each time I am trying to use "union" the text completely disappears and just leaves bumps around the edges. I tried both normal and outline views. Thanks!
I am trying to get it to look like this text (but obviously instead of Mr. and Mrs. it would have the other shape). There is a larger square that goes around this one, but I didn't include that in the picture.
Make that border from a thick stroke width till it slightly touches your text - then go Path->Stroke to Path - select with your outlined text design and go Path->Union. That should do it.
Thank you for your help! I tried all of those things, even moving the lines closer and further apart from the border lines. However, they are still not joining together. Here is a picture of the outline view.
It looks like the inner part isn´t a stroke anymore but a color filled shape - can you check that? It should unite with the the frame nonetheless but the cutter will run on both sides of the lines. When it´s a color filled shape go Path->Break Apart - delete fill color - add stroke+color and delete what you don´t need - then select all inner parts and go Path->Combine before adding the frame with Path->Union.
OMG - the lines are totally messed up - could be you had autotraced for 3 colors - then converted the lines with Stroke to Path and now there are 6 lines in nearly the same spot. Zoom in in just for fun when Node-tool is enabled.
Honestly - start over with loading the jpeg in a fresh file and bitmap trace for just one color. Right now you have 65000 nodes alone in the green parts.
Ok - I was able to repair that üarts by simply using the fill tool on the holes - combined them and subtract it from the frame - hopefully I got this right:
Hey! Thanks everyone! I had to take a break (kids got home from school and had lots of hw) and am just now coming back to the post. I think I was messing with it too much and did some crazy things I couldn't undo, but it looks like you guys are experts and figured it out for me anyway. Thank you so very much! This is for a lid to a card box for a friend and I really appreciate your help! Hopefully it turns out ok and I can send you a final shot. I plan on using this file again in the future, so now I know how to use it. Again, I can't thank you enough!! :)
Beyond the Basics Merging text with a border
Inkscape.org
Hello! I am using inkscape to edit an a SVG to create a box with my laser cutting machine. What I would like to do is merge either text or an outline of text with a border to make a cut out. Pictured here is the outline of the text (dynamic offset) and then the inside edge of the border. I want to combine them so the laser cuts part of the edges, but leaves the other parts in tact... if that makes any sense. I will then engrave the text in the inside of the offset area. I cannot get it to work. I also tried this with the text by itself (combining text so that it also touches the borders and will become connected to the borders but the part around it will be cut out). I hope this is clear but can anyone help me? So far, each time I am trying to use "union" the text completely disappears and just leaves bumps around the edges. I tried both normal and outline views. Thanks!
And Path->Combine don´t work?
No, it still looks the same.
I am trying to get it to look like this text (but obviously instead of Mr. and Mrs. it would have the other shape). There is a larger square that goes around this one, but I didn't include that in the picture.
Seems I´m not getting the picture.
Do you want something like this?
Aha - now it has clicked.
Make that border from a thick stroke width till it slightly touches your text - then go Path->Stroke to Path - select with your outlined text design and go Path->Union. That should do it.
Yes I do! just like that! Ok thanks! I will try that!
If it don´t work upload your file for further inspection please.
Thank you for your help! I tried all of those things, even moving the lines closer and further apart from the border lines. However, they are still not joining together. Here is a picture of the outline view.
Here is the file.
I am not sure if the last one went through... here is the file (SVG):
It looks like the inner part isn´t a stroke anymore but a color filled shape - can you check that? It should unite with the the frame nonetheless but the cutter will run on both sides of the lines. When it´s a color filled shape go Path->Break Apart - delete fill color - add stroke+color and delete what you don´t need - then select all inner parts and go Path->Combine before adding the frame with Path->Union.
Ok! that's weird. Let me try again!
OMG - the lines are totally messed up - could be you had autotraced for 3 colors - then converted the lines with Stroke to Path and now there are 6 lines in nearly the same spot. Zoom in in just for fun when Node-tool is enabled.
Honestly - start over with loading the jpeg in a fresh file and bitmap trace for just one color. Right now you have 65000 nodes alone in the green parts.
Ok - I was able to repair that üarts by simply using the fill tool on the holes - combined them and subtract it from the frame - hopefully I got this right:
Maybe something like this:
Haha - with these parts it´s easy.
Gotta look at the big picture...
Hey! Thanks everyone! I had to take a break (kids got home from school and had lots of hw) and am just now coming back to the post. I think I was messing with it too much and did some crazy things I couldn't undo, but it looks like you guys are experts and figured it out for me anyway. Thank you so very much! This is for a lid to a card box for a friend and I really appreciate your help! Hopefully it turns out ok and I can send you a final shot. I plan on using this file again in the future, so now I know how to use it. Again, I can't thank you enough!! :)
Thank you all for your help! Here is the finished product!
Wow - awesome - I thought edges will always looked burnt. Not here. Great job.