In this article, I'll summarize the best practices behind formatting SVGs so that they can be used to create files for engraving with laser cutters.
- Inkscape K40 Whisperer Machine
- Inkscape K40 Whisperer Mac Software
- Inkscape K40 Whisperer Mac Pro
- Inkscape K40 Whisperer
- Inkscape K40 Whisperer Macro
- Inkscape K40 Whisperer Mac Download
- Inkscape K40 Whisperer Mac Free
Primer
Let's start with a bit of a primer
SVG File Format
- Inkscape K40 Whisperer Mac Download Download Freemind For Mac Os Download Bridge Baron For Mac Download My Sql Workbench Mac Python for Mac OS X. Mac Os X Console Downloads; Mac Os X Download Dmg; This directory contains binaries for a base distribution and packages to run on Mac OS X (release 10.6 and above). Mac OS 8.6 to 9.2 (and Mac OS X 10.
- How to Outline Text in Inkscape. If you want to create a bold look for a newsletter or a website, Inkscape is just the software for it. It works better than other software because it creates vector graphics that you can size without.
Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) is an XML-based vector image format for graphics. The SVG specification is an open standard developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) since 1999. As such, all modern browsers on PCs, Macs and mobile devices support SVGs natively. So, we use SVGs at ProductGraph to simulate laser engravings on websites.
I'm not sure how to get k40 Whisperer to run on my Mac. I'm not used to using Python but so far the instructions on this page have been pretty straightforward. I've installed homebrew, xquartz, libusb, and inkscape and now I'm told I 'need not read any further in this document. I've used Inkscape for design and k40 whisperer for laser cutting, both are open source. The design was made keeping in mind that cutting will be done with whisperer, and thus specific colors and other nuances. See screenshots for more info and check the next step for more explanations. For Windows versions older than Windows 7 (Vista, XP), please use Inkscape 0.92.3. Inkscape 0.92.4 or higher will only run on Windows 7 and higher. Inkscape is Free and Open Source Software licensed under the GPL.
InkScape
Inkscape is a free and open-source vector graphics editor; it can be used to create or edit vector graphics such as illustrations, diagrams, line arts, charts, logos and complex paintings. Its default file format is SVG. Whenever editing an SVG, I prefer to use Inkscape.
SVG Best Practices
Here is my collection of best practices to ensure that your SVG file is properly formatted to engrave well on the laser cutter.
Convert Text
Text that is created from TTF and OTF fonts needs to be converted from text to 'regular' vectors. This is done by selecting the text object. Then clickObject to Pathwhich is the first option in thePathpull-down menu. You should do this for each text object in your file. You can also multi-select text objects and perform the Object to Path operation on them in bulk.
Converting Text to Paths
Here's how you can easily determine if an object is currently text or paths. Double-click the object. If it is text, the object will have a text cursor in it like below.
SVG Text
If it is a path, ddouble-clickingit will result in the Node Edit view on the paths like below.
SVG Paths
Preview
It is easy to have the formatting of paths in an SVG look good on the screen but not look good when engraved. This is because fill colors and stroke widths can cause the onscreen appearance to be different from what the laser creates. One check of this is to view the SVG file without fill and stroke settings. To do this select theViewpull-down menu thenDisplay modethenOutline.
Normal and Outline Views
Nesting in the Same Path
Many vectors graphics are made of objects that have fills and are placed on different layers. Then the objects are brought to the front or moved to the back to hid or reveal features on them. But the laser cutter will see and use all vectors in the SVG. None of them are 'hidden' behind other objects in the laser's eye. So many vectors that look great on the screen will not engrave well on the laser.
One thing to ensure is that objects that should be nested or on the same path. Here's two objects in an SVG.
If they are superimposed, here is what they look like.
But with a laser, we don't have colors. So if we were to engrave the above it would look like a black circle. If we want the red heart to actually not be engraved, we need to nest it inside of circle by combining the two objects onto one path. This is done by selecting both objects, then clickingCombinefrom thePathpull-down menu.
No Crossing Paths
There are also times where two seperate objects overlap.
In this case, they are also combined into one path. The command is Union from the Path pull-down menu. Here's the result shown with fill and in Outline view.
Plain SVG
InkScape has its own version of SVG that contains extra information. The file should be saved as a Plain SVG. You can do that by selecting Save As from the File pull-down menu. Plain SVG is the second option in Save as type list.
Save as Plain SVG
ProductGraph makes some of the best software available to for product customization in your online store. If you are selling personalized products, we can help.
In this article, I'll summarize the best practices behind formatting SVGs so that they can be used to create files for engraving with laser cutters.
Primer
Let's start with a bit of a primer
SVG File Format
Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) is an XML-based vector image format for graphics. The SVG specification is an open standard developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) since 1999. As such, all modern browsers on PCs, Macs and mobile devices support SVGs natively. So, we use SVGs at ProductGraph to simulate laser engravings on websites.
InkScape
Inkscape is a free and open-source vector graphics editor; it can be used to create or edit vector graphics such as illustrations, diagrams, line arts, charts, logos and complex paintings. Its default file format is SVG. Whenever editing an SVG, I prefer to use Inkscape.
SVG Best Practices
Here is my collection of best practices to ensure that your SVG file is properly formatted to engrave well on the laser cutter.
Convert Text
Text that is created from TTF and OTF fonts needs to be converted from text to 'regular' vectors. This is done by selecting the text object. Then clickObject to Pathwhich is the first option in thePathpull-down menu. You should do this for each text object in your file. You can also multi-select text objects and perform the Object to Path operation on them in bulk.
Converting Text to Paths
Here's how you can easily determine if an object is currently text or paths. Double-click the object. If it is text, the object will have a text cursor in it like below.
SVG Text
If it is a path, ddouble-clickingit will result in the Node Edit view on the paths like below.
SVG Paths
Preview
It is easy to have the formatting of paths in an SVG look good on the screen but not look good when engraved. This is because fill colors and stroke widths can cause the onscreen appearance to be different from what the laser creates. One check of this is to view the SVG file without fill and stroke settings. To do this select theViewpull-down menu thenDisplay modethenOutline.
Inkscape K40 Whisperer Machine
Normal and Outline Views
Nesting in the Same Path
Inkscape K40 Whisperer Mac Software
Many vectors graphics are made of objects that have fills and are placed on different layers. Then the objects are brought to the front or moved to the back to hid or reveal features on them. But the laser cutter will see and use all vectors in the SVG. None of them are 'hidden' behind other objects in the laser's eye. So many vectors that look great on the screen will not engrave well on the laser.
One thing to ensure is that objects that should be nested or on the same path. Here's two objects in an SVG.
If they are superimposed, here is what they look like.
But with a laser, we don't have colors. So if we were to engrave the above it would look like a black circle. If we want the red heart to actually not be engraved, we need to nest it inside of circle by combining the two objects onto one path. This is done by selecting both objects, then clickingCombinefrom thePathpull-down menu.
Inkscape K40 Whisperer Mac Pro
No Crossing Paths
Inkscape K40 Whisperer
There are also times where two seperate objects overlap.
Inkscape K40 Whisperer Macro
In this case, they are also combined into one path. The command is Union from the Path pull-down menu. Here's the result shown with fill and in Outline view.
Plain SVG
Inkscape K40 Whisperer Mac Download
InkScape has its own version of SVG that contains extra information. The file should be saved as a Plain SVG. You can do that by selecting Save As from the File pull-down menu. Plain SVG is the second option in Save as type list.
Inkscape K40 Whisperer Mac Free
Save as Plain SVG
ProductGraph makes some of the best software available to for product customization in your online store. If you are selling personalized products, we can help.