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Line 76: − + + + − # Alright, now it’s time to focus the laser onto your material. On the left of the Laser Cutter, there is its filter with a similar color scheme that looks like its nephew. On top of that will be a piece of metal that is shown below, this is the focusing tool. This mounts on the right side of the laser and sets the material a certain distance from the laser. Put your material in the top left of the Honeycomb Table, mount the focusing tool on the right side of the laser, then begin raising the table. The moment the focusing tool falls of from hitting your material, stop raising the table. Be sure to slow down toward the end of the process to assure the laser does not get too close to your material. You can then use the controls to put the laser at the top left of your material (assuming it is square). This keeps you and others from being idiots and wasting material.
no edit summary
* Focusing tool - Used to focus the laser cutter.
* Focusing tool - Used to focus the laser cutter.
* Hairline - This is the type of line that should be used when cutting (very thin).
* Hairline - This is the type of line that should be used when cutting (very thin).
# 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 right 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. [[File:Mitch2.jpg|thumb|827x827px|none]]
# 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 right 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. [[File:Mitch2.jpg|thumb|827x827px|none]]
# After this, right click on the image and select Ungroup All Objects. This splits the image up into groups based on color, so you can tell the Laser Cutter what to cut and engrave.
# After this, right click on the image and select Ungroup All Objects. This splits the image up into groups based on color, so you can tell the Laser Cutter what to cut and engrave.
# Next you will change the colors. Select a block of color, and on the right, you will see a window allowing you to change the Outline (line thickness) and Fill (color). Be sure to set the color scale to RGB. You will see values for R, G, and B, where all colors can be made using these. When each color has a 0 next to it, it will be fully black. When the red has a 255 next to it and the other have 0, it will be fully red. Make sure you check these bit values before continuing, since the machine is set to cutting material ONLY when it sees 255, 0, 0, and it will engrave material ONLY when it sees 0, 0, 0. Everything else, make it white, which is 255, 255, 255. You can drag around the value in the little box of colors to make this quicker.[[File:Mitch3.jpg|thumb|829x829px|none]]
# Next you will change the colors. Select a block of color or a line, and on the right, you will see a window allowing you to change the Outline (line thickness) and Fill (color). Be sure to set the color scale to RGB. You will see values for R, G, and B, where all colors can be made using these. When each color has a 0 next to it, it will be fully black. When the red has a 255 next to it and the other have 0, it will be fully red. Make sure you check these bit values before continuing, since the machine is set to cutting material ONLY when it sees 255, 0, 0, and it will engrave material ONLY when it sees 0, 0, 0. Everything else, make it white, which is 255, 255, 255. You can drag around the value in the little box of colors to make this quicker.[[File:Mitch3.jpg|thumb|829x829px|none]]
# So once you have finished your design, it’s time to send it to the Laser Cutter! Hit print, make sure it is sending to Trotec Engraver but do not click [OK] yet.
# So once you have finished your design, it’s time to send it to the Laser Cutter! Hit print, make sure it is sending to Trotec Engraver but do not click [OK] yet.
# Select [Preferences] to open the engraver properties. You will want to make sure the [Minimize to Job size] option is NOT selected and that the [Height] - [Width] values match the page size in the upper left corner. It is also recommended that the [Inner geometries first] box is checked to improve cut quality. [[File:Mitch4.jpg|thumb|882x882px|none]]
# Select [Preferences] to open the engraver properties. You will want to make sure the [Minimize to Job size] option is NOT selected and that the [Height] - [Width] values match the page size in the upper left corner. It is also recommended that the [Inner geometries first] box is checked to improve cut quality. [[File:Mitch4.jpg|thumb|882x882px|none]]
Setting up the Laser Cutter:
Setting up the Laser Cutter:
# Turn on the machine using the power switch located on the back of the machine in the left corner. The machine will go through a startup procedure where the cutting bed lowers and the laser travels to its home position. Note that the lid must be closed for the startup procedure to begin There will be some beeping coming
# Turn on the machine using the power switch located on the back of the machine in the left corner. The machine will go through a startup procedure where the cutting bed lowers and the laser travels to its home position. Note that the lid must be closed for the startup procedure to begin and there will be some beeping coming from the machine which is normal.
# Place your material onto the honeycomb table, preferably in the upper left corner.
# Now it’s time to focus the laser onto your material. Begin by moving the laser head over the middle of your material; then place the focusing tool on the laser head and slowly raise the table until the the focusing tool falls off. Raise the bed extra slow when raching the focusing tool so the bed can be stopped the moment the tool falls off. Reference the images below for proper focusing tool placement and laser head controls. [[File:Laser Focus Tool.png|none|thumb|404x404px| Proper placement of the focusing tool. ]][[File:Laser Controls.png|none|thumb]]
#
#
Cutting with Job Control :
Cutting with Job Control :
# After you send your design to Job Control it will let you name your design and it will store it in a window on the right. If you do not see your design, be sure to select [See All] at the bottom of that window. This lets you see files ALL dpi types, rather than just a specific dpi type.
# After you send your design to Job Control it will let you name your design and it will store it in a window on the right. If you do not see your design, be sure to select [See All] at the bottom of that window. This lets you see files ALL dpi types, rather than just a specific dpi type.