InkScape vector cutting problem
Laser Cutting engraving (ie. rasters) from Inkscape works, but cutting (ie vectors) doesn't work natively; the laser cutter goes straight to "done" without ever moving.
problem: Inkscape doesn't print vectors; if vector all that's being printed, goes straight to "done"
- disabled advanced printing: still goes straight to "done"
- afvanced winprint NT EMF 1.008: still goes straight to "done"
Found a reference somewhere that this has to do with the printer driver subsystem. (reference?)
Work-around using .pfd file
- set stroke style width to 0.0011 inch
- make sure there is enough "document" around the edges, adobe seems to insist on margins
- File menu, save-as, pdf
- check "convert text-to-paths"
- check "export area is page"
- OK
- open PDF file
- uncheck "Choose paper source by PDF page size" to preserve document size
- print as usual
problem: pdf doesn't all get printed, some gets cut off
- there seems to be a setting that makes this work, but I have not figured it consistently yet
problem: sizes get messed up, so can't mix and match engraving directly and cutting via .pdf
Work-around using print_win32_vector extension
The following cuts every vector, even the ones that are thick or 0, so it has limited utility
- use file https://bugs.launchpad.net/inkscape/+bug/630639
- with
problems:
- seems to make _all_ vectors into cuts, ie not only skinny ones
- I _think_ it ends up using different power settings in Epilog
- and sometimes it just goes to "done"
- posted to bug list: https://bugs.launchpad.net/inkscape/+bug/1081326
- using left computer
Work-around using InkCut 1.0
http://www.inkscapeforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=4987&sid=dbb8c44037412c03ec6faea9ec6528bf
Resources
- http://wiki.imal.org/howto/inkscape-and-lasercutter
- Before exporting to DXF, you need to make sure that:
- All Objects are converted to Paths (Menu Path - Object to Path)
- Avoid using 'Groups' which may confuse SmartCarve
- Uncheck both 'use' options in the DXF export module (LWPOLYLINE will not work as expected)
- Before exporting to DXF, you need to make sure that:
- svg conversion gotcha:
- http://atxhackerspace.org/wiki/Using_Inkscape_with_the_Laser_Cutter#Exporting_to_SVG
- tranform to size 106.667% do deal with 90ppi in Inkscape vs 96ppi in Corel