Inkscape Tutorial: Bridging Font & Cleaning Nodes for CNC Cutting

[@fabricationsofOKC]

Your a "ROCK STAR" I'm new to CNC Plasma Cutting and Inkscape, 20+ years of SolidWorks and AutoCad are useless. THANKS for Sharing!!!

[@ChadLisonbee]

I’ve been wondering why my letters aren’t as smooth as other people work. Thank you bro!

[@BadDogMetalworks]

Happy to help!

[@daipower1]

I learned a lot in that video, thank you

[@Iann128]

Great Video! Was having trouble with too many nodes and this helped me see how to clean them up.

[@jarrodmsimmonsable]

thanks so much!

[@kirklivernash4350]

Great Video STEVE!! just when I think I'm on top of my game, you bring me down to earth. Good stuff always more to learn.

[@antsniper]

what version of inkscape are you using because I cannot duplicate what you are doing. I am using 1.3 please help 8/262024

[@DPAWNC]

I have a file (my logo) and I can't get the letters to "break apart" no matter what I try. I need to bridge the text... Do you have a video of how to do this or is it a bug with Inkscape? Thank you

[@noryfrench5555]

i have the same problem

[@BadDogMetalworks]

If the logo is a path or traced image the letters will not break apart like a standard text that you type out and convert to a path. There are other ways to align bridges though like using snaping options.

[@sean7193]

I select the bridge, and the letter, but then when I click "difference" the bridge disappears. driving me Absolutly mental. any tips appreciated. thank you.

[@IRONMANMETALBILLDANKANIS]

If you don't delete all of the nodes what happens on the plasma cutter?

[@BadDogMetalworks]

For the cleanest cut on a cnc plasma system you should remove excess nodes. Every node on a path is a start stop point for a line segment. Removing excess nodes allows for the smoothest cut with less blemishes in the contours. Some systems are more sensitive than others so results will vary depending on your machine and software.

[@metaworx3957]

Why do you delete some of the nodes? On your other tutorials you also do your best to reduce the number of nodes. But why? (sorry, new to cnc plasma)

[@BadDogMetalworks]

It depends on the situation actually. With some machines it's not as necessary to reduce the node count as much. Some machinery/softwares are very sensitive to every little node. I run a Star Lab with Sheetcam, on my machine I can have a circle with 4 nodes and a circle with 20 nodes and as long as they are smooth there will be no noticeable difference in the cut. BUT I have seen other machines that will stutter and jerk at every node so the less the better. If I only made files for myself I probably wouldn't worry about a few extra nodes here and there, but making files for others I've just gotten in the habit of reducing node count to as little as possible. Hopefully that makes sense.

[@mccluremetalworks4214]

When you backspace is that the same thing as using the delete key as well to delete nodes?

[@BadDogMetalworks]

Yep, Backspace and delete are the same thing on the nodes.

[@noryfrench5555]

why are we removing nobes

[@BadDogMetalworks]

For the cleanest cut on a cnc plasma system. Every node on a path is a start stop point for a line segment. Removing excess nodes allows for the smoothest cut with less blemishes. Some systems are more sensitive than others.