Hello again! After fantastic answers yesterday, I am back with todays question!
I have CorelDraw/Laser installed - but as I dont yet know the software, I drew a part in SketchupPro and exported it as an EPS file.
I imported this into CorelDraw (and after selecting my machine as the M2, and typing in the long number on the sticker) I sent it over to the laser.
It cut out really nicely that Im pleased with - BUT - its far larger than my originally drawn part. The scaling is off and I cant figure out which point in the chain it went wrong?
Any help would be massively appreciated.
To confirm - the part was the right size in SketchUp, but the final cut piece was too large.
not using the same software chain, but it’s a classic, scale issue.
(not looking for a culprit software). I do accurate cutting by adding a rectangle in SU (supposed scale), then in the last software rescale again with correct values (target one). see video for inspiration https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbTTPkDEhOg
I am sure with some test and trials, you will find a way.
(rescale are constant or proportional ?)
@StephaneBUISSON That’s what I do regardless of which laser I’m using. When going between software using “interchange” formats or ones that one software produces natively but the other uses as an import, copy or even a supported format, if the software versions are not exactly correct (and it’s trial & error to figure out which version of software A that matches which version of software B) then I get odd behavior.
The rectangle trick is the easiest way I’ve come across to be able to figure out what I need to rescale in the last software - I use a 10mm square because the math is easier but any known sized object works. I also do a point sized circle in the upper left of all layers so when I send each layer to the cutter I get the same origin position which is otherwise an issue sometimes with the K40.
Thanks all! Ill try exporting in DXF next - but what ive been doing is drawing a rectangle to the correct size, and then dragging my imported file to scale the same. I also just select the file and manually change the X/Y. Not ideal, but an easy fix. Cheers all!
I think like others have said here, the issue is upon importing into Corel the scale is out of proportion. I find that whenever I import SVG files, the scale is off & numerous times I have forgotten to adjust it before cutting/engraving to realise half way through that I have just destroyed the piece I was working on. I generally put a rectangle around everything at 300x200mm in my original source file & then when I import into Corel I just select all & scale to 300x200mm. Then everything inside that rectangle scales to the correct size. I then set the border of that rectangle to none & I use this rectangle instead of the 1 pixel dot most put in the top left corner. This helps keep engraves/cuts aligned with each other when I am doing multiple layers.
I also use SU and frankly I have given up the awe-full SU/corel/laserdraw tool chain, its why I am moving to Smoothie and LaserWeb so I can get to GCODE then I can see what is being sent to the hardware.
I have concluded that I can go from SU(free)-export svg or gcode then LaserWeb…NO?
I even found that the svg exporter I am using is inaccurate by a line weight. I have never gotten the free .dxf exports to work reliably.
+Peter van der Walt can you point me to the plugin cited above?
When going between software using “interchange” formats or ones that one software produces natively but the other uses as an import, copy or even a supported format, if the software versions are not exactly correct (and it’s trial & error to figure out which version of software A that matches which version of software B) then I get odd behavior.