Hello, I have ourchased a very nice Chinese laser cutter. What I will do is cut from balsawood sheets parts for model airplane kits. The original drawings I have are JPEG. How can I draw each part so it will be vector that the cutter can used? I will also need to acomodate each part on the available sheet balsa I have, in order to give a most efficient use of the material. How can I move each part on the sheet that is, for example, 7.5cms wide by 20 cms.? Also, how can I export the finished drawing to PLT extension for my cutter?  Thanks and I hope I have made myself clear.

EDUARDO  (From Colombia)

You have two options, trace bitmap and recreate, the bspline tool could help to you there some videos on you tube explaining bspline draw, not the fast way but most accurated. Once you have the contour shape, if need holes use compound path, duplicate and clip original path if there is more than content in each piece, turn as you want after

Hello, thank you very much for your help. However, I need a simpler explanation since this is my first venture preparing the parts drawings for cutting with my machine. I am enclosing one of the drawings of the parts that i need to vector for my machine,. As you can see they are JPEG. I need to redraw them with inkscape so they can be used for cutting balsa sheets. If you can provide me with simpler step by step way or a video that explains me this, I would appreciate very much. On the drawing, you see parts identification. Forget about any writing. I only want to do tyhe lines of each part.

Again, thanks

EDUARDO

Can anybody out there explain me the meaning of the enclosed screen print? As clear as possible. Thanks

Welcome to the forum!

That's an error message which indicates that you need to install Uniconvertor.  Uniconverter is needed to be able to save as PLT.  Here's an faq about it:  https://inkscape.org/learn/faq/#how-install-uniconvertor-windows

However, I think there's some problem about uniconvertor....I can't remember what it is.  But if you have trouble installing it (or finding it at all, at the link provided) you might want to consider using a different file format.  Will your machine accept any other formats?

I can try to give simpler answers for you.  There are 2 ways to convert raster images (JPG is a raster format) to vector - either auto trace (using Inkscape's Trace Bitmap) or trace "manually" using the Pen/Bezier tool.  In this case, auto-tracing is less than ideal.  I would suggest tracing with the Pen tool.  The first section of this tutorial explains how to do it.  https://forum.inkscapecommunity.com/index.php?action=articles;sa=view;article=45  But we're still here if you get stuck.  (Note, that tutorial will probably disappear in 6 months to a year.  So be sure and save it to your computer, if you want to keep it.)

Unless you need extreme precision, you can probably do it without using B-Spline.  But that's just my opinion.  I actually haven't learned how to use the B-Spline mode yet.  So that tutorial is for regular bezier paths.

Edit

Or if PLT is the only format you can use, you could install version 0.91, for which Uniconverter isn't needed.

your drawing from jpeg to vectors for laser cutters - question,,,,, I am in a simular situation, i have a cnc router and plasma make my drawings in vector format or convert using a web site ie 

https://vectormagic.com/

question for u is i use enroute 6 for the plasma and aspire v9 for the router,,,,(pathing) ... plasma is 2d so dxf files work, router is 2.5 or 3d so i use .stl files and both get converted to path. 

what is your basic file format prior to be being pathed ????

i would like to learn to use this program for the geometry lines , , ,, Picked up a watcom pro tablet and need to meld both together 

thks

garygary

Thank you very much Gary but your language is too complex for me. If you can simply your explanation, I would appreciate it very much.

EDUARDP

HI Eduardp,,,,,what is the brand / model name of your machine ?

thks

.

Hi. Gary, please see the attached screenprint of the machine I bought. it is not a specific brand. There are several videos on You Tube of this machine and it seems it is very nice for a hobbyist like me. Model airplanes made of balsa, card scale models, small jobs etc. 

Thanks Gary

EDUARDO

It is not a specific brand. I suppose it is made OEM for other companies that market or sell this machine,

looks like this machine on amazon,

the btm of page has questions and answers,,, they would know more than myself, looks like a type of raster tif,bmp,jpeg ect.....input

might connect with them ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,they say u-tube video as well

Best I can do,,,, good luck

Gary

https://www.amazon.com/CNCShop-Engraving-Cutting-Machine-300x200mm/dp/B011MU7M6Q/ref=asc_df_B011MU7M6Q/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=366402683693&hvpos=1o2&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3123508901975001912&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9033382&hvtargid=pla-813711886466&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=73640184462&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=366402683693&hvpos=1o2&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3123508901975001912&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9033382&hvtargid=pla-813711886466

Hi Eduardo, the machine you have is a generic K40 laser cutter/engraver, I have the same machine under a different brand name. There is a wealth of enthusiast info on Youtube that will help. First you should ditch the software and dongle that came with the machine and install inkscape (you probably have seeing as you're here) and K40 Whisperer, a laser cutter control software written specifically for the K40. While installing the Whisperer software you will be given the option to install a new USB driver that will allow your computer to communicate with the cutter.

This new control software expects to see an svg format file to know what commands to send to the cutter. In inkscape, you can load your graphic file and once the image in on screen, under the PATH dropdown menu, the third option is 'trace bitmap' which will copy your image and convert it to a vector image which you can then save as an 'svg' file that K40 Whisperer will use to tell your cutter what to do. I'm trying to explain this here so you can see it's nothing too complicated. I will suggest that you watch a few of the Youtube videos geared to the K40. Everything I've learned came from watching those. I could not get the Corel software (pirated btw..) that came with the machine to work. The two pieces of software mentioned above make your K40 cutting experience the joy it should be.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

Hello and thank you so much for your excellent reply. Let me clarify that before I ordered my machine, I studied almost every video available on YouTube. I even downloaded them so I could carefully watch them. When the machine arrived, thanks to this videos I was able to correctly install. I also downloaded the Inkscape 0.92 and the Whisperer 40 since everybody adviced me to do so and not use the software included with the cutter. After a lot of trail and error I successfully cut and engraved some drawings showing how good is this machine. However, I wasn't able to solve the problem I have being seaching help.  I mean the use of "Trace bit map" as shown on the software. It worked fine with drawings, photos etc. but NOT on line drawings.  I have given a lot of time and effort trying to use this features on my needs which are JPEG drawings of model airplane parts to be cut on balsawood. The only way I could achieve conversion to SVG was redrawing each and every part using Inkspace  and bezier tool. It is very easy but it takes a lot of time due to the complexity of some formers and ribs of my models.  Whenever I tried to convert the drawing to "trace bit map" I obtain the enclosed drawing. Check and you will see it has double the drawing with a black center. When I turn this black to red color for cutting, it becomse a three line drawing thus, the cutter will cut three times the same piece. 

I hope I am clear since I would like very much to convert to SVG with just a click. Is it possible or I just forget about it and continue to use hours and hours to convert all my formers and ribs to SVG by redrawing them on top with bezier. I appreciate very much your help

EDUARDO

Would centrline tracing help to reduce the number of lines that you're getting when you trace that bitmap? Also, if you're interested in trying out a beta version of Inkscape 1.0 that might also be worthwhile (particulairly to align and clean up the initial bitmap tracing - you will need to devote a bit of actual time and effort to check over the work) and it would also be nice to know (once you've got the designs properly redrawn and ready to go as a SVG) how well that works with your equipment. Do you have the opportunity to run tests on scrap bits of material to get a feel for how a few of the pieces will turn out before doing all of them?

Hello Nathan but I don't understand you very well. What do you mean by centerline tracing?  Is the Inkscape 1.0 already available? And your additional explanation, sorry but didn't get it.  My drawings with bezier  work perfectly in my computer when saving as SVG. Kindly try to explain me in a clearer way what do you mean and exactly what I must do. Thanks in advance-

That was just an idea that came to mind from what you wrote, here: "Check and you will see it has double the drawing with a black center. When I turn this black to red color for cutting, it becomse a three line drawing thus, the cutter will cut three times the same piece."

Finding an easy way to reduce the number of lines can be difficult, but a centerline trace would only produce one line and then you might be able to "work outward" with that to create your shape for cutting.

Hi Nathan,  I did eliminate the STROKE lines and left only the FILL one. I changed it to 255 red. Everything fine except that the line is locked. No other modifications can be made such as opening some spaces in order to allow the machine to not completely cut the file but leave small un cut spaces so the part can stay on the balsa sheet. Also, the part number cannot be unlocked (at least I didn't find out how) in order to raster the letters and numbers and not cut them Any suggestions?

You can get the beta version of 1.0 already (which has Centerline Trace already installed).  Or if you don't want to use that, you can install the Centerline Trace extension in 0.92.x.

To get 1.0 beta:  https://inkscape.org/release/inkscape-1.0/?latest=1

To get Centerline Trace extension for 0.92.x: https://github.com/fablabnbg/inkscape-centerline-trace   (If the installation instructions are not simple enough, let me know and I can make them simpler.)  

Edit

Or you could use Inkscape's Pen tool and "manually" trace over the the cutting lines.

Thanks a lot my friend. I am downloading the Beta 1.0 version to see how things go along. I am already tracing my wing ribs and fuselage formers using bezier successfully. The problem is that it takes a lot of time to do it, time that sometimes I don't  have. 

Just downloaded the files to install Inkscape 1.0.  I found two installing applications. Which one should i use? 

Just discovered which APP to use for installing Beta 1.0. I tried it and the results are exactly the same so I will try the extension. If I run into any trouble.I'll let you know.

Thanks

Hi Eduardo, please understand that I am at the bottom of the learning curve myself and am simply following my intuition. I too get a bit lost when reading some of the replies :-(( 

Regarding the inkscape installation files, I assume you're using windows.. there is an executable (.exe) that installs like any other program, the system puts the necessary files where they need to go, and a zip file (.7z) that you unzip yourself and save where you like, create a shortcut and use as normal.

One point to note, be sure to delete the existing version before insrtalling the new.

I'm glad you're making progress. My grandchioldren have already made their orders, doll's house, model car and as a retired Engineer, the older ones want 'wearable tech'.. WEARABLE tech?? In my day a T shirt that glittered was wearable tech, lol. Merry Xmas!!

Edubarca

Just discovered which APP to use for installing Beta 1.0. I tried it and the results are exactly the same so I will try the extension. If I run into any trouble.I'll let you know.

Look at the Trace Bitmap dialog again, in 1.0 beta.  There's a separate option for Centerline Trace. 

Look under Single Scan (I mean, click on it), and then click on Brightness Cutoff, which opens a dropdown menu.  (I realize that's not exactly obvious there's a menu there 😉)  The last item in that dropdown menu is Centerline Trace.

In my opinion, using Centerline Trace in 1.0 beta will be much easier than installing the extension in 0.92.

Please help. I have just installed the 1.0 Beta version but it is in Spanish. Naturally, my native language is Spanish but I prefer all my software in English for easier reference when using with forums and help from the web. Can you tell me how to convert it to English?

Thanks!!

One more issue: I didn't find the "Center line trace" anywhere. Can you please tell me where it is?

Again. thanks

Hhmm, did you say which operating system you're using?  Did you see my instructions in message #23 about how to find Centerline Trace?

To switch the language, Edit menu > Preferences > Interface.  Click on Interface, then look on the right side of the window for Language.  Choose English, and restart Inkscape.

Good morning!! well, here in Bogotá. Thanks for your response. My operating system is Windows 7 ultimate 64 bits.  I didn't find "Edit menu". Can you tell me where can I find it. I did check very carefully Message 23. There is no option for center line trace, at least I didn't find it.  Also, I didn't find "Preferences > interface" to change the language. Since I haven't used Inkscape for a long time, I am still not familiar with its features and interface. I am slowly learning and being a rarther complex software, it hasn't been easy for me to learn its use. I appreciate your help.

The Edit menu is in Inkscape.  In the menu bar, it's the 2nd from the left.

I'll make you some screenshots.  In ss0.png, Edit menu is circled in red, and Preferences at the very bottom is also circled in red.

Here's the Path menu showing Trace Bitmap:

Here's Trace Bitmap dialog with Single Scan circled, and showing where to click to make the menu open:

And here's showing the menu open with Centerline Trace circled:

Thanks a lot but after clicking PREFERENCES you can see what appears in the enclosed screenprint. Not what you tell me it will appear. What's wrong?

You're almost there!

Now, see that menu on the left side of the window?  Scroll down there until you find "Interface".  Click on "Interface" to open that page.

Now look on the right side.  At the very top is "Language".  Choose whichever language you want.  And then you need to close Inkscape and re-open it.  (close all Inkscape windows, in case you have more open)

Hello my friend. Sorry for delay in coming back and thank you for all your help.

I am running into another problem: Please check the attached screenprint. I want to modify and re-arrange the position of these balsawood parts for a model glider, but unfortunately, they are locked as one drawing. Can you please tell me how can I un-lock each part so I can move it around? 

Again thanks, my friends.

EDUARDO

https://inkscape.org/forums/questions/how-to-split-two-words-and-make-they-seperate/#c7674

Just checked the information.  I have model airplane parts, lots of them on a single sheet to be cut in balsawood. Is there a different of separating fonts than parts drawing? Am I right? And it seems that whatever method is used, it is cumbersome and time consuming, especially when there a lot of parts, like my balsa sheet. Better return the parts to map bits re arrange in Photoshop and then turn back to SVG again, What is your opinion? 

You need to draw your different parts, then just duplicate and move them around as needed. (like in 1, vector)

Not like 2 or 3. (bitmap, traced bitmap)

Edubarca

I am running into another problem: Please check the attached screenprint. I want to modify and re-arrange the position of these balsawood parts for a model glider, but unfortunately, they are locked as one drawing. Can you please tell me how can I un-lock each part so I can move it around?

Actually this is the same problem you had to begin with, as far as I can tell.

What you showed in the screenshot appears to be a raster image imported into Inkscape.  You will not be able to separate the pieces.  The best thing to do would be to find a vector version of the parts.  Then they can be easily separated.

If you can't do that, you will need to convert that raster image to vector.  I'm not sure if this was mentioned earlier, but there are 2 ways you might do that.  You could trace "manually" using Inkscape's Pen tool.  Or you could auto trace.  But instead of using Trace Bitmap, which gives you the double-lines that you found before, you need to use Centerline Trace.

Personally, I would probably use the Pen tool.  But you could try both ways, and decide which one is best for you.

I would just delete the image and duplicate the underlying path. There is a path below or above 3.

(unless 1, 2 and 3 are actually different parts, then you need to redraw 1 and 2 still.)

Thankd a lot my friends. My final solution was to redraw each and every part using besier tool I couldn't do it any other way. 

Merry Christmas to all!!

EDUARDO

Eduardo, I too am trying to use Inkscape from an image to create cuts with my laser cutter. I first traced a printed copy of my pattern with a tablet, thinking that'd be the best way to go. Well, it works but I found that I needed to play with the result too much, simplifying the path and adding/deleting nodes, etc.

I then used the bezier tool to trace with my mouse on the image imported into Inkscape, which is what you ended up doing.

I've since played with the "Trace bitmap..." feature after reading this post and found something that will work great for laser cutting.

1. Get a clean image of the one part you want to cut using whatever image editing software you like, e.g., GIMP.

2. Import that into Inkscape, File > Import...

3. Choose Path > Trace Bitmap ...

3. Choose the "Brightness cutoff" mode. Adjust parameters if needed (requires some experimentation). Click OK.

4. Mouse drag the image and the paths apart. Right-click the paths created and choose "Fill and Stroke".

5. Click on the Fill tab. Change the fill to none by clicking the left "X" for "No paint". Your image will disappear, but have no fear, we'll see it in a moment.

6. Click the "Stroke paint" tab and then click the "Flat color" option beside the "No paint" option, which is what is used to be. You will now see two traces. One for the inside edge and one for the outside edge.

7. Which edge you want is up to you and how your pattern was created. For me, I want the outside edge. Choose Path > Break Apart to separte the inside trace and the outside trace.

8. You will see multiple selection boxes once you've broken apart the paths. Click away from either of them to select nothing, then click on one of them and drag it apart so you can edit further, delete the one you don't want, etc.

I tried this with the beta version and used the "Centerline tracing" mode and that worked too! ...but your line is in a different place, of course.

Remember to change the "Stroke style" to a small width so your laser cutting will move on that path rather than raster scan that path.

Thank you very much for your information. I'll give it a try although I can see that perhaps drawing each part using bezier is perhaps simpler. Again thanks and will let you know the results.

EDUARDO

Hello my friends, being absent of the thread means that my machine is working beautifully. I have cut several balsa and plywood sheets for my short kit production of model airplanes. Only one problem has came out recently: Why is it that after drawing and arranging the parts of one model, when sent to Whisperer for cutting, the size increased considerably?  What am I doing wrong? It doesn't happen always, only sometimes. 

Thanks

EDUARDO

I don't actually cut directly from Inkscape (I go Inkscape -> svg -> system-that-works-with-my-cutter), so don't have a similar experience. If you can print back-to-back two times without touching Inkscape page settings and the print driver settings, then it sounds like a bug.

Thanks for your reply. Perhaps I wasn't clear. I don't cut directly from Inkscape. I cut from K40 Whisperer. But when I finish preparing the drawing on Inkscape, making sure the size of the parts are correct, I open K40 Whisperer to cut. I open the file and it appears much bigger. Again, what is wrong?

Thanks

@Edubarca Can you share a file that has the correct size and one that doesn't? It's probably a bug in your cutter's program (many can interpret only a subset of the SVG standard), but maybe there is a workaround available, if we know what is causing it.

Unfortunately, every time I have the problem, I just resize to the original one and cut. Next time it happens I will keep all issues, screenprint, and post here.

Hello my friends. I have just seen in a forum that the Inskcape 1 is now available. Can you please tell me if it is worth updating from the 0.92? 

Hello, I have just installed Inkscape 1.1 in my new Windows 10 desktop. I'm having a problem: Upon trying to set the color for using bezier on my model airplane parts drawings for laser cut, I need 255 red. I set it but upon trying to draw a line, it immediately returns to black. How can I solve this and make the color I pick when beginning my work, stay until I change it again?  Thanks.

Eduardo

Well, I just installed 1.0.1 (is that what you meant?) and drew a bezier. It was black. Not sure how to set color for new lines offhand, but if you select that bezier, and bring up fill/stroke property window/pane (Windows shortcut: shift-ctrl-F), you can set the color to 255 red. Looks like that works for me.

Maybe this?

PLEASE can anybody help me to activate the keyboard shortcuts? None are working and I need them urgently. THANKS MY FRIENDS

Eduardo

Eduardo, can you open a new topic for a new problem, please?

Where can I do it? I don't find the option.

Ctrl-Shift-F and Ctrl-Shift-P both work for me. Win 10 x64. Inkscape 1.0.1. Do you have some other tool loaded that's doing something with keys?

Problem solved, thanks a lot!!

To open a new topic, navigate back to the main forum site: https://inkscape.org/forums and then select a suitable forum for the question, then click on the button labelled '+ New Topic'. This makes it easier for others to find the information. It also allows people who answer questions on this forum to 'specialize' on specific forum topics.

Will do it at a later date since, my problem was solve. Thanks!!