Haley O’Neill
haley.oneill@breens.school.nz
Laser Cutting using Inkscape
Open up the program Inkscape...
This is the view you should have
The toolbar on the left has a variety of tools that we will use.
The arrow tool is used to select, rotate and move objects.
The nodes tool is used to edit the path of your shape.
The square tool creates squares and rectangles.
The circle tool creates arcs, segments and ellipse.
This tool creates polygons and stars.
This tool creates spirals.
The toolbar on the left has a variety of tools that we will use.
This tool allows you to draw freehand.
The bezier tool allows you to draw straight lines and curved lines.
This tool allows you to add text.
As you can see we don’t need to use many of these tools as they are for painting and sculpting.
The top toolbar also has some features we will look at:
The import tool can be used to add pictures to your work.
Make sure you save your work all the time as the program does not automatically save for you.
This controls the page setup. The page is set to portrait and A4.
The top toolbar also has some features we will look at continued:
Trace bitmap is used to change pictures into the correct format for the laser cutter to read.
Union can be used to join 2 or more shapes together. Eg.
Would become:
The top toolbar also has some features we will look at continued:
Put on path can add text to a curve.
Eg.
Importing a picture
Step 1: Find your picture that you wish to insert and save it.
Step 2: Open your inkscape file.
Step 3: Click on file and import. Find the place that your picture is saved and push open. When the text box comes up click ok.
Step 4: Click on your picture so that it is selected.
Step 5: Click on path and then trace bitmap.
Step 6: You can edit your picture here using the threshold arrows.
Step 7: When you are happy with your picture push ok and close the trace bitmap box.
Step 8: You will now have 2 copies of your picture. Delete the colour picture without nodes.
Click these to see your picture and remove the background.
Saving your file to send to the laser cutter.