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→Training
====Overview====
====Overview====
Performing a cut or engrave with the laser will always begin with CorelDraw by opening/importing an image, pdf, DXF, or similar file. If you do not have a file yet then it can also be used to create geometries. Once a file has been brought into CorelDraw, it must be adjusted so that job control can distinguish between what should be cut out of the material and what should be engraved. A cut is indicated by changing the line type to hairline with a red fill (in the RGB color scheme) and an engrave is indicated by the color black. After the graphic is prepared, it is transferred to job control using [File] > [Print] and making sure trotec is selected as the device. It will then pop up in the job list on the right hand side of the screen. At this point the laser should be set up by turning it on, placing the material on the honeycomb table, and then raising the table to focus the laser. The final steps are then to click the usb icon in job control to connect to the laser cutter, drag the job onto the to scale honeycomb table, set the correct material properties, and then click the play button to perform the cut. When performing an engrave on a glass or water bottle the set up process in CorelDraw is the same, but there are a few differences in job control and laser cutter itself. A big one is that the honeycomb table must be exchanged for the rotary tool which must be done while the laser cutter is OFF. The laser cutter should automatically recognize that the rotary is attached. The only change in job control is that the accessory should be changed in the settings from the honeycomb table to the rotary tool.
Performing a cut or engrave with the laser will always begin with Inkscape by opening/importing an image, pdf, DXF, or similar file. If you do not have a file yet then it can also be used to create geometries. Once a file has been brought into Inkscape, it must be adjusted so that job control can distinguish between what should be cut out of the material and what should be engraved. A cut is indicated by changing the line type to hairline with a red fill (in the RGB color scheme) and an engrave is indicated by the color black. After the graphic is prepared, it is transferred to job control using [File] > [Print] and making sure trotec is selected as the device. It will then pop up in the job list on the right hand side of the screen. At this point the laser should be set up by turning it on, placing the material on the honeycomb table, and then raising the table to focus the laser. The final steps are then to click the usb icon in job control to connect to the laser cutter, drag the job onto the to scale honeycomb table, set the correct material properties, and then click the play button to perform the cut. When performing an engrave on a glass or water bottle the set up process in Inkscape is the same, but there are a few differences in job control and laser cutter itself. A big one is that the honeycomb table must be exchanged for the rotary tool which must be done while the laser cutter is OFF. The laser cutter should automatically recognize that the rotary is attached. The only change in job control is that the accessory should be changed in the settings from the honeycomb table to the rotary tool.
====Demonstration====
====Demonstration====
====General Procedure====
====General Procedure====
[[File:trotec_laser_engraving.mp4|thumb|none|400px|This video shows the complete process of completing an engrave. See below for details on doing this. ]]
[[File:trotec_laser_engraving.mp4|thumb|none|400px|This video shows the complete process of completing an engrave. See below for details on doing this. ]]
# Setting up a Job
## First off, to get your design, just copy an image and paste it into CorelDraw or find a pdf version of the file and open it. If you are cutting a part from a Solidworks file it must be saved as a dxf before importing to Inkscape.
## To open a dxf file go to [File] > [Import]. If a dxf file is being used feel free to skip to step 7.
## Measure the size of your material, and set the page in Inkscape to those dimensions. You can alter the dimensions of the page you are putting the image on by selecting [File] > [Document Properties], and even the width (W) and height (H) image itself in the top. If you want to keep the image dimensions consistent, but just scale it down, click the lock button between these dimensions. If you want to make your own design using text, squares, circles, etc, you can find everything you need in the column on the far left of the client.
## PIC HERE OF GENERAL INKSCAPE WITH GFU LOGO
## Once you have your design, we need to alter the colors a little bit so the Laser Cutter can understand what you want it to do. It goes like this: a red stroke will cut, and anything that is black will engrave. A stroke is merely an option that outlines the object you select.
## In order to do this, we need to split up the image into different pieces. This is called Bitmapping, where it will divide the image into different pieces based on the color. Just select the logo, right click, and select Trace Bitmap. You will be given options shown in the picture below. For this application,we want to separate the colors from each other, so we select the Colors option. The number of scans you have selected will define how closely the bitmap will replicate the actual photo. Since this is a simple logo and we do not want to have to separate many different colors/shades, 2 scans will be enough. Once this process is finished, the bitmap will appear directly on top of the original image, so make sure to drag it off and separate the two before beginning.
## Now we can manipulate the colors. Select the bitmap, go to [Object] > [Fill and Stroke]. This is where you will be able to change the Fill color and the Stroke (the outline). You will see Fill, Stroke Paint, and Stroke Style. Fill changes the color of a piece, Stroke Paint changes the color of a stroke, and Stroke Style changes the thickness and style of a stroke.
## Adjust the RGB colors so that the G becomes black (0,0,0).
## Since there are 2 separate parts to this bitmap, it is possible to break apart these and alter the image however you want. You don't have to do this, but if you want to, select the image, go to [Path] > [Break Apart]. Now you can mess with each individual part!
##
## click and select Outline Trace → Logo. This works for the vast majority of things. If the detail is not good enough, try the other options and have some fun. If the file is already a vector format, such as a pdf, you DO NOT need to do this and can skip steps 4-5.
Setting up a Cut:
Setting up a Cut: