@Donna_Gray alternatively here is the link to the post
https://plus.google.com/+YuusufSallahuddinYSCreations/posts/aZ3WrzvHNbg
@Donna_Gray here’s a post by Norman with a nice fairly intricate cut.
https://plus.google.com/103798744920995011573/posts/YqDg7dqbtAR
I use SCAL 4 with a vinyl cutter, I don’t think it will work with laser cutters. I’ve used both the laser cutter and the vinyl cutter on card stock and in my opinion the vinyl cutter does a better job. The edges are cleaner and sharper corners. If my purpose was to cut invitations and such I’d choose a vinyl cutter with the card stock on a carrier. Of course there are things you can do with a laser that you can’t with a vinyl cutter. If you could figure out SCAL and your scan and cut, you’ll have no issues with a laser cutter and it’s software. The learning curve is similar.
Thanks for your comment Coherent Do you think I could design in Scal4 and then transfer my file into the software program that comes with the laser cutter As someone mentioned that you can design in inkscape and then copy file into the corellaser program
@Coherent
Thanks for your comment Coherent Do you think I could design in Scal4 and then transfer my file into the software program that comes with the laser cutter As someone mentioned that you can design in inkscape and then copy file into the corellaser program
I’m not familiar with SCAL4. I just did a google to see what it is & it looks like you can output the file as a SVG when you save it? Is this correct? If so, then you can definitely import that into CorelLaser
Yes it can save file as svg What file formats does the corelLaser program support I can save as svg fcm bitmap jpeg PNG & TIFF format in Scal4???
SVG or PNG are the ones you will want to use, as it is a vector format. Meaning it is perfect for cutting. You can also use it for engraving (as I do) but the software converts it to Raster before engraving it anyway.
Raster formats like BMP & JPG & TIFF are suitable for engraving. You can use them for cutting also, however vector is better for cutting.
I will take a printscreen of all the formats that are able to be imported into CorelLaser & post the link here.
Ok thanks In my program I can take a photo then in my program I can trace the image and modify it then save as the file formats I mentioned in my last message I am used to designing things in this program But I have had to delete a lot of detail as my cutting machine could not cope with very small circles as it uses a blade to cut so I was thinking the laser my cut the smaller circles etc better
@Donna_Gray Here is a screenshot (or a bunch combined together) to show all the formats that are available for importing into CorelDraw/CorelLaser software that comes with the K40.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bzi2h1k_udXwQ2JtbmlES3lnTFE/view?usp=sharing
@Donna_Gray See my above post for file formats screenshot. In regards to the cutting small circles, the smallest I have been able to cut with the laser is 0.5mm diameter circles. But it just looks like a burned hole/dot. I use 0.5mm circles quite frequently to cut stitching holes for my leatherwork (because I seriously hate punching them manually by hand). Works quite well & gives precision for the spacing. Only downside is the burn/char on it. Alex Krause (in this group) has mentioned to me about a thing called a drag-knife. It seems probably similar to the bladed setup on your cutting machine, but may be able to handle more precision. You may find something like that more suitable for your needs (due to the lack of charred edges). I plan on eventually modifying my K40 to include a drag-knife, for cutting purposes. Rather than lasering & having charred edges, will be smooth edges cut by blade.
Here is a video on the drag-knife in action:
(Skip to 8:40, prior to that he is just showing how he made the drag-knife attachment)
Looks like your question’s been answered, but SCAL is about the worst drawing/cad program I have used. It’s fine for basics but not very user friendly and limited as far as what you can do with it. Corel Draw is much more powerful and a bit older version comes with most of the smaller laser machines. The learning curve is a bit steeper than SCAL, but once you practice with it there isn’t much you can’t accomplish easily.
@Donna_Gray I just remembered that I have the software for the K40 uploaded to my google drive. If you are interested in downloading it & having a look at it & play around, you can grab it from here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bzi2h1k_udXwamRBZkduekxlMHM/view?usp=sharing
(~700mb).
note: some users have mentioned that the software they received (which is the same as mine) flags as a virus with some antivirus software. Not sure if it actually is though, as I’ve had no issues. I think it’s just because the version of CorelDraw they give is a pirated version.
It’s a bit of a bother to install it all (as lots of stuff in chinese with minimal explanations), however most of us here have had experience installing it & could give pointers. Basically it is just CorelDraw12, then you install the CorelLaser plugin afterwards.