Changes

* Repeat Cut Line - Can be used in JobControl to reproduce the same cut line that was just cut.  

* Repeat Cut Line - Can be used in JobControl to reproduce the same cut line that was just cut.  

* Outline Job - Can be used in JobControl to trace the job that is going to be cut to show where job extends.  

* Outline Job - Can be used in JobControl to trace the job that is going to be cut to show where job extends.  

* Trace Bitmap - Can be used on an image to turn the image into a bitmap.  

* Bitmap - Representation of an image as bits of information (pixels); used to allow logos/stencils to be changed into colors.  

* Bitmap - Representation of an image as bits of information; used to allow logos/stencils to be changed into colors.  

* Vector - Representation of an image as shapes, rather than bits; used to allow logos/stencils to be modified as objects.

* Trace Bitmap - Can be used on a bitmap to to turn it into a vector.  

* Honeycomb Table - This is the honeycomb shaped metal tray that holds flat material during a cut. It is used for must cut jobs.   

* Honeycomb Table - This is the honeycomb shaped metal tray that holds flat material during a cut. It is used for must cut jobs.   

* Rotary Tool - When engraving water bottles or glasses, this accessory is used to hold the object in place as well as rotate it while performing a cut.   

* Rotary Tool - When engraving water bottles or glasses, this accessory is used to hold the object in place as well as rotate it while performing a cut.   

## 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.[[File:...gfuLogo.png|none|thumb|600x600px]]

## 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.[[File:...gfuLogo.png|none|thumb|600x600px]]

## 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.

## 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 or how many colors you want the bitmap to tape. Since this is a simple logo and we have 3 colors/shades to take, 3 scans will be enough. If the detail is not good enough, try the other options and have some fun. 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.[[File:...traceBitmap.png|none|thumb|600x600px]]

##In order to do this, we need to split up the image into different pieces. This is called vectoring, where it will divide the image into different pieces based on shapes and 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 vector output will replicate the actual photo (the bitmap) or how many colors you want the vector to tape. Since this is a simple logo and we have 3 colors/shades to take, 3 scans will be enough. If the detail is not good enough, try the other options and have some fun. Once this process is finished, the vector will appear directly on top of the original image, so make sure to drag it off and separate the two before beginning.[[File:...traceBitmap.png|none|thumb|600x600px]]

## Since there are a few separate parts to this bitmap, it is possible to break apart these and alter the image however you want. Select the image, right click and go to Ungroup. Now you can mess with each individual part! You can take either of these designs and delete them, essentially they will cut out and engrave the same design. Let's go with the one on the right. [[File:...separateParts.png|none|thumb|600x600px]]

## Since there are a few separate parts to this vector, it is possible to break apart these and alter the image however you want. Select the image, right click and go to Ungroup. Now you can mess with each individual part! You can take either of these designs and delete them, essentially they will cut out and engrave the same design. Let's go with the one on the right. [[File:...separateParts.png|none|thumb|600x600px]]

## Now we can manipulate the colors. Select the bitmap, go to [Object] > [Fill and Stroke]. You will see Fill, Stroke Paint, and Stroke Style on the top right. 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. 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 others 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. Be sure to make each a Flat Color so that the color is constant throughout the entire object.[[File:...Stroke.png|none|thumb|600x600px]]

## Now we can manipulate the colors. Select the object and go to [Object] > [Fill and Stroke] (usually it will already be open on the right sidebar). You will see Fill, Stroke Paint, and Stroke Style on the top right. 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. 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 others 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. Be sure to make each a Flat Color so that the color is constant throughout the entire object.[[File:...Stroke.png|none|thumb|600x600px]]

## 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.   

## 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 selected in Inkscape. DO NOT have [Enhanced Geometries} selected because it causes the curved parts of your design to be unrecognized once it is uploaded to the Job Control.[[File:...printing.png|none|thumb|600x600px]]

## 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 selected in Inkscape. DO NOT have [Enhanced Geometries} selected because it causes the curved parts of your design to be unrecognized once it is uploaded to the Job Control.[[File:...printing.png|none|thumb|600x600px]]

==Troubleshooting==

==Troubleshooting==

* Cuts are not being made: This is most likely caused by the line color in CorelDraw being changed to red but left at some line weight. Change the line weight to hairline and everything should work properly.  

* Cuts are not being made: This is most likely caused by the line color in Inkscape being changed to red but left at some line weight. Change the line weight to 0.25pt and everything should work properly.  

* Cuts are not clean: Check the lens for dust because this can interfere with the laser. If it is dirty, see the maintenance section on how to clean it.  

* Cuts are not clean: Check the lens for dust because this can interfere with the laser. If it is dirty, see the maintenance section on how to clean it.  

* It is fairly common to run a job without selecting the correct material resulting in a light engrave instead of the desired cut. When this happens leave the material in its place, right click on the job in Job Control and select the reset job option. The material can then be selected correctly and the job can be performed.  

* It is fairly common to run a job without selecting the correct material resulting in a light engrave instead of the desired cut. When this happens leave the material in its place, right click on the job in Job Control and select the reset job option, or press Ctl+R. The material can then be selected correctly and the job can be performed, without the need to reposition the material.

==Maintenance==

==Maintenance==