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Most designers use software such as Corel Draw® or Adobe Illustrator® to create the design files
to import into the Dremel LC40 Control software, but pictures that have been taken with a
camera can also be used. Any software can be used that exports PNG, JPEG, PDF, or SVG files.
The Dremel software accepts both vector (SVG or PDF) and image (JPEG, PDF, PNG) based
files. It’s best to think of “cut” and “engrave” separately when designing for the Dremel
Digilab Laser Cutter. Vector file types are optimal to cut something out of a material, or
trace along lines with the laser. Image file types are optimal to engrave into the surface of a
material with various levels of intensity.
In order to use the file created in the design software, simply “save as” or “export” your file
as one of the above file types. It’s best to save parts of the file that will have applied
different laser settings or applications to, as different files before importing.
By default, the Dremel software will recognize different colors in vector files and allow the
application of different settings based on those colors. For a single image file, the same
print settings need to be applied to the entire file.
For example, to engrave the dark area in this image in a dark shade, and the white in this
image in a light shade, it would be best to export the dark area and the white text and
circle outline as two separate files:
dark engrave (image file) + light engrave (image file) = light and dark engrave
(a similar output could be obtained by bringing in a single image file and applying
“grayscale”. In this case, however, the engraving will fill the object with tiny dots,
rather then appearing solid.)
Similarly, to engrave the dark area and cut out the white text, it would be best to save the
text outline as an SVG or PDF and the dark area as an image file:
dark engrave (image file) + text outline (vector file) = text and circle cut out
Multiple files can be sent to the laser as a single job. Simply import multiple files. If
multiple files are exported from the same source file, the Dremel software will place them
on top of one another by default.
OPERATING THE LASER CUTTER
Source A) & B) File Preparation Details
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