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| https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nybhYtjElQU | | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nybhYtjElQU |
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| ==Engraving==
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| * Try to align the bulk of the engraving with the short axis (y), the laser cutter seems to do passes in this direction only so if you have it aligned to the long (x) axis it will do many short passes rather than fewer longer ones, this can '''massively''' increase engraving time (minutes -> hours)
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| * Run a simulation before the actual engraving, this picks up on some bugs in the software:
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| ** If there's a red line between two engraved bitmaps, the laser will engrave that line.
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| ** If you move an engrave layer, the software will sometimes not spot this, and simulate will show the previous position.
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| * Rather than slow down/increase power there is a setting to repeat a layer multiple times, this is very useful if using the engrave option to reach a certain depth.
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| * For fast prototypes the engraving step size can be changed (default is 0.1mm) a setting of 0.2 is good for depth engraving, again this can speed up the process a lot.
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| * Detailed instructions on [https://wiki.london.hackspace.org.uk/view/Laser_Cutter/Instructions/Photo_Engraving Producing high-detail engravings] using software in the Hackspace.
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| * '''Note''' if something hasn't cut/engraved to the complete depth (or you just want to run it again) it is possible to select which layers are 'output' by scrolling to the right in the layers box, this is very useful for an extra layer of engraving or to confirm a full cut. DON'T move the sheet before doing this.
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| === Engraving Hints, Tips, and References ===
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| * Images will work best if [http://diylaser.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/laser-engraving-and-dpi-scan-gap.html DPI is matched to the Scan Gap]
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| * One way to prepare images is to reduce the image to black and white [http://blog.aaronbot3000.com/2013/05/a-guide-to-better-dithering-on-laser.html using dithering].
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| * For wood, etching makes things darker, but for acrylic, etching makes things lighter.
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| * Alternately, something like [http://www.evilmadscientist.com/2012/stipplegen2/ StippleGen 2] can be used to produce a vector based interpretation of an image, that can be used with a low powered cut. This should be produced much faster than an engraving.
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| ==Uploading your data file== | | ==Uploading your data file== |
