Getting Started with Laser Cutting
You can engrave photos and illustrations using the laser cutter, and have it cut along the outline. When downloading drawings and images for laser cutting projects, please observe copyright and fair use.
We highly recommend you meet with us for a 30-minute consultation before starting your laser-cutting project.
The file for engraving/scoring must be saved as png or jpg; and the outline or cut-through must be saved as vsg file.
Photo Editing apps you can use to edit the image for engraving and scoring:
- Photoshop (installed on the Makerspace computers, available during the operation hours)
- GIMP (free download; learn how to use it)
Drawing apps for cut-through (e.g. the keychain hole and the outline):
- Adobe Illustrator (installed on the Makerspace computers, available during the operation hours)
- Inkscape (free download, learn how to use it)
We provide birch wood sheets (one-square-foot per sheet, 12"x12"x1/4"), and charge $5.00 per half square foot. Users may bring their own materials, but must get approval from the Makerspace management for using them with our laser cutter.
Click the button below to submit your files: Laser Cutting Submission Form
The finished photo or line art must be imported into a proprietary application for laser cutting, a step done by Makerspace staff.
