I am very new in Inkscape and started using it with a specific purpose. I want to make a vector file for the laser cutter. The goal is to make a puzzle which pieces match perfectly.
For that, I need to cut every single piece out separately. I have figured out how to make puzzle pieces to match with each other but I need to offset each piece by 0.1mm (laser cutter cutting diameter is 0.2mm)
Could somebody explain how to offset a closed path object outside with 1 mm?
If it is confusing I don't mind explaining it further.
I think you need all vertical lines to be 1 continuous path (0,2mmStroke width) converted with Stroke_to_Path subtracted from a rectangle and then the same with all horizontally lines. The result can then be torn into pieces with ->Path->"Break Apart" . <tell me if you need pictures. The extension "lasercut jigsaw" seems not ready for Inkscape 1.x as the author stated - at least it don´t work here so far.
I think I might have not understood very well (tried for an hour), the pictures would really help a lot :)
Just so we understand each other I added a picture as well. It is very easy to do it in Sketchup (using highlighted "offset" button). But overall Inkscape is way better to do that project.
Basically, I would need to add this blue area (0.1mm) as shown in the second piece. The actual puzzle pieces are way more complex, I just quickly draw sth to make it understandable.
I tried it out and sent it to the printing. But I did counter a problem :D
I duplicated my puzzle piece -> outset -> difference between 2 pieces. Idea was good and seemed to work very well. Was even too easy to do it :)
The lab that did the printing is using Illustrator (if I remember correctly but I think it doesn't matter). And they saw the file differently than I did.
I had an outset for 0.2mm and I assumed that the laser will cut straight in the middle but they saw an inner and an outer line of the outset. (look attached files.
It seems I don´t understand the process as I have no clue how the puzzle pieces will fit together when each get an outer offset.
In my workflow above all pieces are separate pieces as I thought this was the goal instead of laser cutting just vertically/horizontally lines which might end in a too tight fit regarding a tiny laser diameter.
But the goal is to get as tight fit as possible. 0.2mm will make a very big impact in a 100 piece puzzle. That's why I need to cut 0.1 mm outside from the puzzle piece itself.
That's why I need to cut 0.1 mm outside from the puzzle piece itself.
I still don´t get it. For example: Take a scroll-saw with a 0,2mm non-cranked blade and saw along vertical then horizontal - you end with pieces 0,1mm smaller on all sides - they should fit quite nicely - but if you add 0,2mm to each pieces - how would fit these pieces together? In my example above you can set the stroke width to a tiny amount to Boolean-Difference to nearly "nothing". What "gap"-size will the laser produce?
To your question above; if you do a Path-Union for each part you´ll end with the outset only. So if you really want to make every puzzle part larger you´ll need all as separate pieces aligned well spaced - add a thicker stroke (double the size of the offset - then go Stroke-To-Path - then Path<->Union. Maybe like so:
Got lots of good tips from both of you and an answer to my problem :)
Tyler Durden you are using it correctly and it turns out that's what I am looking for. I tried to do what PixelPest explained but I used commands wrongly. Though Tyler's option is easier because it turns out that the laser will cut outside from the object so my puzzle piece doesn't need to be empty inside.
Anyways big thank's to both of you and I will post a picture if everything turns out as I wanted :)
Beginners' Questions Puzzle project, stuck in offset.
Inkscape.org
Hi,
I am very new in Inkscape and started using it with a specific purpose. I want to make a vector file for the laser cutter. The goal is to make a puzzle which pieces match perfectly.
For that, I need to cut every single piece out separately. I have figured out how to make puzzle pieces to match with each other but I need to offset each piece by 0.1mm (laser cutter cutting diameter is 0.2mm)
Could somebody explain how to offset a closed path object outside with 1 mm?
If it is confusing I don't mind explaining it further.
Thanks ahead :)
I think you need all vertical lines to be 1 continuous path (0,2mmStroke width) converted with Stroke_to_Path subtracted from a rectangle and then the same with all horizontally lines. The result can then be torn into pieces with ->Path->"Break Apart" . <tell me if you need pictures. The extension "lasercut jigsaw" seems not ready for Inkscape 1.x as the author stated - at least it don´t work here so far.
Thanks for your answer.
I think I might have not understood very well (tried for an hour), the pictures would really help a lot :)
Just so we understand each other I added a picture as well. It is very easy to do it in Sketchup (using highlighted "offset" button). But overall Inkscape is way better to do that project.
Basically, I would need to add this blue area (0.1mm) as shown in the second piece. The actual puzzle pieces are way more complex, I just quickly draw sth to make it understandable.
Hopefully will get that extension working soon :)
Thanks again
Here is the picture :D
Outset can be used, but some folks prefer to use a stroke (outset*2) converted to path, then the inner path removed.
Ok - big picture:
😁
AIUI, the OP needs each piece outset to correct for kerf, not inset.
Thanks for all the answers.
I tried it out and sent it to the printing. But I did counter a problem :D
I duplicated my puzzle piece -> outset -> difference between 2 pieces. Idea was good and seemed to work very well. Was even too easy to do it :)
The lab that did the printing is using Illustrator (if I remember correctly but I think it doesn't matter). And they saw the file differently than I did.
I had an outset for 0.2mm and I assumed that the laser will cut straight in the middle but they saw an inner and an outer line of the outset. (look attached files.
Could someone explain where I made the mistake?
Thanks
It seems I don´t understand the process as I have no clue how the puzzle pieces will fit together when each get an outer offset.
In my workflow above all pieces are separate pieces as I thought this was the goal instead of laser cutting just vertically/horizontally lines which might end in a too tight fit regarding a tiny laser diameter.
Wasn't an answer to the question :D
But the goal is to get as tight fit as possible. 0.2mm will make a very big impact in a 100 piece puzzle. That's why I need to cut 0.1 mm outside from the puzzle piece itself.
I still don´t get it. For example: Take a scroll-saw with a 0,2mm non-cranked blade and saw along vertical then horizontal - you end with pieces 0,1mm smaller on all sides - they should fit quite nicely - but if you add 0,2mm to each pieces - how would fit these pieces together? In my example above you can set the stroke width to a tiny amount to Boolean-Difference to nearly "nothing". What "gap"-size will the laser produce?
To your question above; if you do a Path-Union for each part you´ll end with the outset only. So if you really want to make every puzzle part larger you´ll need all as separate pieces aligned well spaced - add a thicker stroke (double the size of the offset - then go Stroke-To-Path - then Path<->Union. Maybe like so:
Maybe this.
Thanks, guys.
Got lots of good tips from both of you and an answer to my problem :)
Tyler Durden you are using it correctly and it turns out that's what I am looking for. I tried to do what PixelPest explained but I used commands wrongly. Though Tyler's option is easier because it turns out that the laser will cut outside from the object so my puzzle piece doesn't need to be empty inside.
Anyways big thank's to both of you and I will post a picture if everything turns out as I wanted :)