The general order of operations is:
For more detailed instructions, refer to The Edge laser cutter induction 1). Use The Edge Corel Draw settings.
Why Use CorelDraw?
Trotec recommends the use of CorelDraw to design and/or as a final pre-cut check for the Rayjet. CorelDraw is popular in signwriting and laser cutter shops. This is the most common workflow in use at The Edge, and the only one available to new users. CorelDraw is available on the LaserCutter-PC and the Fabrication Lab laptops.
The most common errors when importing external files into CorelDraw are; <datatables info=“false” paging=“false”>
Problem | Solution |
---|---|
Missing or invisible lines | Export as DXF and PDF - try both |
Lines the wrong colour | Select all and change line colour in Object Properties |
Lines the wrong thickness | Select all and change line to hairline in Object Properties |
Drawing scale is wrong | Export as DXF and PDF - try both, or rescale in CorelDraw |
Why use Illustrator?
It is an accessible resource at SLQ.
To cut from Ilustrator - after clicking the Print option in the File menu you will be prompted by the following screen:
The only thing you should need to change is the Media → Size option, choose Trotec Default. Selecting this option will automatically turn off Auto Rotate.
In order to access the RayJet Settings click Setup in the bottom left corner, click Preferences (The RayJet should already be selected for you). Once done, click Print and then Print again in order to send the file to the laser.
Very useful page for setting up your document and preparing to cut using Illustrator, including templates: CutLaserCut.com (Also has a CorelDraw, Inkscape and AutoCad section).
A Trotec Speedy 300 specific training document from the Faculty of Environmental Design at The University of Calgary.
Why Use Inkscape?
Free Open source and under active development, has a thriving community of users and developers. Cross platform (windows/mac/linux).
It is an accessible resource at SLQ.
http://atxhackerspace.org/wiki/Using_Inkscape_with_the_Laser_Cutter
This is currently an untested technique! Please update if you do implement or test
Why cut from Fusion360?
It is an accessible resource at SLQ.
Reasons Not To Use Fusion360?
Fusion360 does not use printers. So while Fusion360 has integrated CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing) it is a complex procedure to set-up and out of scope for current laser cutter usage. Instead individual sketches must be exported as DXF files then loaded into CorelDraw.
This is an older post covering one technique from the autodesk forums.
Tip for lasercutting from here to export without construction lines.
What I usually do for getting things either laser cut or waterjet cut is to extrude my design from the original sketch which includes all the constraints, dimensions and construction lines. Then I create another sketch on the top surface of that extrusion and project all the extruded elements into that new sketch. That sketch is then exported into a DXF.
Fusion360 has been extensively used to generate many DXFs for cutting without problems, using the recommended workflow.
Here is an in-house guide used by London Metropolitan University. This is Trotec specific - which is handy.
This is currently an untested technique! Please update if you do implement or test