Month: January 2017

1-31-2017

Greetings – I am away from class today visiting White Hill eighth graders.   While I am gone, please follow this set of 123d Design Tutorials.

Click here for the tutorials.

Intro to 123D Design 

skills:
>navigating 123d Design
>exploring tools
>importing a 2d graphic into 123d Design
>entering measurement into 123D Design
>using digital calipers

sample image – Batman logo (download to your computer)

convert jpgs to svg files

When I return we will work on your custom keychain designs.

1-23-2017

today: I will hand out the latest batch of rings at the end of class.  Laser cutting first!

Use Inkscape to create a laser cut and engraved bag tag/name tag/gift/keychain.  What follows in an outline or cheat sheet of our process.  We will go through this step by steimg_7210p.

  1. FIVE MINUTES! download the image of your choice from Google images.
    images that work well are:
    -line drawings
    -black and white clipart
    -silhouettes

images that DON”T work well:
-color photos
-dense black and white photos
-anything with a watermark

2. Save your image

3. draw a rectangle/square/circle/star shape – no bigger than 2.5 inches x 3.5 inches.

4. in Inkscape, use File, Import to include the image that you saved earlier

5. work with Mr. Milstead to place the file and size your design correctly

6. change all cut lines to .001 of an inch

7. use File, Document Properties to size the document correctly

8. save your file as a PDF (Portable Document Format)

9. email your PDF to drakelasercutter@gmail.com

 

1-19-2017

today-

  1. Rings – I printed those that were sent at the end of the last class.  Time to glue the magnets!   All other designs must be completed in the first 30 minutes of class.
  2. Introduction to Laser Cutting and Engraving
    1. what does a laser cutter and engraver do?  Video here.
    2. designing for the laser cutter – using Inkscape software.
      1. Inkscape navigation
      2. shapes
      3. images – download this one as a sample
      4. engraving vs cutting
    3. first project – laser cut nameplate/bag tag/sign using an outline of an image
    4. the laser cutting checklist – secret to success