November 22nd, 6PM-9PM. $25 members, $30 non-members.

Edited to add: Signup at Eventbrite

This class will show you how to take art from Inkscape to the real world, via a computer numerical controlled (CNC) router.

We'll start the first part of the class by reviewing the Gcodetools and Hershey Text extensions for Inkscape, explaining the features of each. After that, there will be time to work independently and create/modify your own art during the first hour of class. I'll be there to offer guidance as to what works well when creating art for CNC use, as not all designs work well when translated to engraving.

For the second part of class, we'll be taking the Gcode generated by the Gcodetools extension and we'll be milling those designs you've created onto 3.5" by 8" blocks of pine (provided, two for each student). Not all designs will look right on the first go, so there may be some back-and-forth between attempts at milling and re-designing your work. You'll have up to four tries (two boards, two sides).

We'll be using my belt drive CNC router to do the engraving, along with a 1/4" 90-degree V-nose bit.

CNC Safety
If you prefer to wear your own hearing and eye protection, please bring it. I can supply a limited number of disposable earplugs and the shop has a couple pair of safety glasses you may use.

Long hair must be tied back. Loose clothing/jewelry is prohibited near the CNC router (and all power tools, of course).

Materials to bring to class:

A laptop/netbook running Windows, MacOS or Linux and a USB thumb drive for transferring files to the CNC system.

You'll need to install (before class!) the following software:

The latest release of Inkscape (free, open source vector art tool)
The Hershey Text extension for Inkscape
The Gcodetools extension for Inkscape (scroll down to "Get latest version")

Please play around with Inkscape and view some of the many Inkscape tutorials on Youtube. If you have problems with the extensions, we'll go over those in class, so don't worry. If you can't install the above software, please contact me privately before class and I'll see if I can help you.

Do you have any examples of what the finished product looks like?

The initial images and photographs of the final result would be very helpful!

thank you

The design can look like whatever you want it to. As an example of engraved pine, here's something I did for a coat rack project just a couple weeks ago.

Hello Luno,

I can't make the class tonight but would like to be trained in on the CNC. Please let me know if you might have some time in early December.

michael

Luno,
Is it possible to use one of the computers at the HF instead of a laptop? My laptop is currently out of commission.

Sent from my SGH-I897 using Tapatalk

Hey,

Is this class full? I do not see a remaining count in Evenbrite, so I am guessing you got the 15, but in case I can make it tonight, I would like to know if a walk in is still a possibility.

Booka

Thanks Pete,

I learned quite a bit about Inkscape and Gcode tonight. Now to create something that has less cut paths.

For all those mac lion users from class, found a package that fixes the extension issues. http://code.google.com/p/eggbotcode/dow ... 2.mpkg.zip
hershey font and gcode now work for my lion laptop.

I will be at the Hack Factory tonight for the follow-up class to last week's CNC Engraving with Inkscape. We'll be trying a simplified version with just text. If you want to do graphics, we can do that later down the road, 1-on-1 or in smaller groups.

EDIT: Probably around 7:00PM.

any chance I can get one of the cnc gurus to show me the ropes tomorrow evening?