Ok good. Try the following. Export it and create a raster fill operation for the letter it will let you choose an black fill and let it generate. Let me know if it helps.
By any chance do you have illustrator?
@Ariel_Yahni_UniKpty I have a friend who does or I could get the trial of they still offer one. Is the raster fill operation within LW or create it in the material database? The only options I get currently are raster and raster merge.
Andy I meant laser fill path. If you dont known how to use it please refer to my video “working with vectors” but is pretty straightforward. So load the letters dxf, create operation , select filter fill black and generate. It can take a little bit but the preview should show the operation for the fill. Try it and let me know if it solves the slowness
I will watch the video in a bit and give it a try when I’m back at the laser in a couple of hours.
I’ve just re read your first response to this thread and it’s made me wonder if I fill the letters in SketchUp and create the dxf will it then rater it? I’m guessing not as it’s saved as poly lines but it’s bugging me how I managed to make it within LW3 and smoothie firmware.
Here’s the finished items that used the g code on my drive.
dxf is a vector, you cannot use the standard ster operation, thats why Todd added laser fill path. It will take the fill and create a raster op from it. If you fill the letters in SU it does not pass into LW but still LW somehow internally think they are filled with black.
Once you see the video it will be more clearer.
@Ariel_Yahni_UniKpty I have run the test and although the raster isn’t as clean as the image above it works. I will throw down a few more tests with power and speed differences to see how well I can get it but thank you once again for all your help with this one.
Ok good. You need to go slow on this since it does not scan the hole thing but each letter so 40 to 60 mms could be a good starting point. Also play with laser diameter. Do not go bellow 0.1.
Obviously if you get the letter as a image then you can do regular raster
Yes Slow seems to be best, it does take a while to generate the g code but once I get it right I will just save it and use that. I am using a 0.1 diameter hoping that will keep it nice and tight.
It would be interesting to know if the overall raster takes longer or slower than before.
Also i would say this is not the best option or workflow, specially on OSX. I would get illustrator ( can be paid monthly ) and generate vector for cutting and image for raster ( if you dint like it as is )
Unfortunately I can not remember how long the original took but I may try and redesign it so it is a raster and vector. I have looked at illustrator but have no previous knowledge of it so think it may be a long process (although once learned could become very useful)
I will see how this goes and maybe reinstall the smoothie firmware and test my files on LW3 again to really see the difference.
not sure how well it works on osx but I would spend some time in inkscape before shelling out money for illustrator or corel, I find it works for everything I need so far.
@Domm434 inskcape for osx is not up to par with windows. You need to load a decade old technology to load that top. I just can work that. Also Adobe let’s http://you.pay monthly. I think 7 a month
ahh gotcha, i stay away from anything mac or apple. just a preference 