JTech Laser Inkscape Extension Tutorial

[Derek the Admin]

Here's another tutorial to get you guys going with your lasers:

[mrspicman]

Quick question. For the 3.8w laser that I purchased, can you tell me which (or neither) of the lenses did it come with?

I am looking at this article ( HERE ) and was curious.

Cheers!

[Derek the Admin]

I believe it's the HR lens on the 3.8W.

[mrspicman]

Thanks Derek! Awesome video helps clarify things for us noobs. I am currently working on a special clock for my parents 50th wedding anniversary. I have used the Carve King for vcarving the front and pocketing out holes for the digits (this is a Nixie clock I am working on...HERE is one that I made a bit ago, but not related to Carve King just so you know what a nixie clock is) and I plan on using the laser to engrave a note to my parents on the back of the clock.

I may post it if it turns out acceptable.

Cheers!

[mrspicman]

I seem to be struggling with an image I got from the internet.  It was PNG but I have used photoshop to convert to different formats (jpg, bmp) and seem to get the same results.

I followed your video.  Here is a screenshot of what I did:



The problem is when I generate the code I only get this:


M05 S0

G90
G21
G1 F3500
G1 X0 Y0
M18


I don't know why it's not creating the entire file.  If I try to do this with plain text then the extension works.  I have tried this with a logo I designed myself and got the same results.

Any tips welcome!

Cheers!

[Derek the Admin]

The JTECH extension in Inkscape is only for vector line cutting. It can't "see" an image file, which is why you don't get any meaningful G code.

Here's a random vid on trace bitmap functions in Inkscape.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-xxhphybnE

You won't get it to raster burn (fill in the dark area in the eyes) with inkscape, but you can pull a vector off the perimeter of the eyes using this trace function I've described.
Once you have a vector it will be able to generator vector line g code.

Hope that helps.

[mrspicman]

Aha,

Ok, I used Aspire (where I designed my logo) and exported as SVG and then ran it through InkScape...all is good...the quality of the laser engraving is very impressive. Will be sure to post a pic or two soon!

Thanks again!

[Derek the Admin]

Excellent. Glad to hear it.