☄ Laser Control with Inkscape #1

3D Printers can do so much more than, well, 3D Print!
Create Marlin compatible GCode for our Laser tool-paths using Inkscape and 'J Tech Photonics Laser Tool' extension.
If you would like to help support the creation of these videos, then head on over to the Tech2C Patreon page:
► / tech2c
________________________________________________________
A very special thank you to Patrons:
Zak Gurney Chalmers
________________________________________________________
Download Inkscape:
►inkscape.org/en/
Download 'J Tech Photonics Laser Tool' extension for Inkscape:
►jtechphotonics...
2.5w Laser Diode:
►www.banggood.c...
Safety Glasses:
►www.banggood.c...
Download the HyperCube 3D Printer/CNC from Thingiverse:
►www.thingivers...
Buy cheap 3D Printer kits and parts from Banggood:
►goo.gl/bFyz5H
Amazon 3D Printers and Parts:
►amzn.to/2qdTebt

[@BenedictTanShanWen]

For the last couple of weeks I have been working with a Chinese built 70w laser and it occurs to me you may want to add a fan somewhere on your printer and duct it to your laser diode emitter. Hear me out ;) As your laser vaporizes material those hot gases will condense on any cool surface (which is why we keep the protective paper on acrylic). Those gases will often wind up condensing on the focus lens of your laser diode which is why many laser cutters feature compressed air ducted into a gas lense around the focusing lens. I'd suggest cleaning your lens with acetone and a q-tip. If you have any deposit on the q-tip you will definitely want to look into some form of air-assist. An additional fan to help duct smoke away from your active cut will also make a difference in your effective power at the focul point. The fact your beam is visible in the smoke means you are losing a lot of energy as your beam travels through it.

[@mikeg4972]

I want to rig up gas shielding for my laser soon. That should eliminate lens damage and make a less burnt cuts. It should be easy with some MIG welder parts I have.

[@anumshabbir4673]

Have you done your project?

[@goldbunny1973]

Your videos just get better & better. Finally got my Tronxy working to 20x20x20mm accuracy so it's time to print my Large Frame HYPERCUBE parts. Keep going Tech2C, train loads of us are "following" and benefitting from your excellent work.

[@BLau-oi4zc]

Thnaks man! even in 2021 very detailed and follow-able! much appreciation!

[@rafa.ferraz]

Awesome! Great tutorial! thank you so much!

[@LegitLeeVelez]

Hello sir I know this video is years old but I was hoping you could still answer my question I have inkscape and I'm having an issue with the machine cutting and engraving in the wrong direction do you know how to fix this?

[@oldmaster1967]

how do you get the gcode editor? where is the button to open? please show slowly Thank you

[@Cyberdactyl]

Absolutely awesome. Thank you for making me aware of this software.

[@kooler6699]

what program you used for running the gcode??

[@mrjoeyman]

If you download Repetier Host and put in your printer settings, you are able to open the prepared Inkscape file and open it up in RH and actually see where it will print on your bed. Helps me a lot. At the very least it shows when a "print" will run off of the edge of the bed so you can make adjustments.

[@mbainrot]

Make sure that you choose the right version of the plugin! If you use 0.92 plugin in the 0.91 version of inkscape, it doesn't put the "middle" coordinates for 200mm in the middle of the page. Took me aaaaaaages to work that one out. Also don't forget to G92, otherwise you have to reset the printer to do another cut For ventilation, I am using a Rule Inline Blower and 75mm bilge vent duct, has the nice benefit that it is 12v. The only issue I've found is that air flow is degraded by the ducting, so it's prob a better idea to have rigid duct from the inlet to the blower then use the flexiduct to go to the window. Cuts down on the smell + smoke massively @Tech2C, thank you thank you thank you :D I've started laser engraving on my hypercube and it's freaking awesome.

[@bronkula]

This really drops the barrier for entry. I'm super excited to try it out.

[@Tech2C]

Great!

[@dinuwan1]

what kind software do you used? mach 3 or Adriano?

[@SYLTHECRU]

Do you have a video or directions of how you wired the laser to your 3d printer?

[@originalmianos]

You can use control to resize constraining the ratio.

[@dkeinys]

Next one would be nice to see CNC spindle to cut carbon frames for micro drones!!!!

[@T180]

Hello, I am stuck at the part where it is asking for the "Directory" is there supposed to be something automatically there or do I have to come up with it? Any help is very much appreciated.

[@birdmun]

G1 is the command to move at cutting speed. G0 would move at rapid speeds. If you typed G0 Z50, the printer would move at 100mm/s or what ever you have the rapids set at.

[@johi28]

Awesome explanations step by step!

[@jacobweerthof2671]

great video.. Is it possible to cut.. and engrave in one file ?

[@sendboxsac9480]

when I go to J Tech Photonics Laser Tool.. it looks locked, do you know the why?, thanks

[@Stunthangar]

My laser will not turn on using M106 or M107 any ideas?

[@marceloraul66]

Can you define the paper size as your bed printer size on Inkscape? that way I think is more easy to see where the final location will be.

[@brigfiche]

MarceloRaul Magallanes Borgatello. Yes this setting can be defined under document properties.

[@Tech2C]

I tried that before making this video. The page size does change, but the 'object to path' overlay is placed about 100mm higher in the Y axis rather than on top of the object (buggy). So I didn't show it.

[@FilmFactry]

Great work! Have you tried cutting white 3/16" foamcore? This would be usefully cutting parts for architectural models. Thanks!

[@vizionthing]

this is a bloody good question, I'd love to see the results too.

[@charlesworton4020]

Tech2c tried cutting different colored plastics; black was the best, all others reflected too much light. I suspect white foamcore would reflect too much light. If foam was coated with a flat black paint or tape, the heat generated might cut through the foamcore. Might work that way.

[@kaighn8086]

theres lots of yes it can, no it cant answers, ive got a cheapo Chinese a3 sized laser, its a blue 2500mw version and ive successfully (to varying degrees) cut white foam board, scorching is an issue but i think thats something im doing wrong, probably trying to cut in one pass, on shallow cuts and using it just to mark its great.

[@OficialProjetoRaiz]

In the MILL operation, will you make with a motor brushless from an airplane?

[@colinjohnson6824]

cj, hi I have copied what I think are the correct files from jtech, but they wont paste into the share directory, I may have it wrong somewhere, is the following right....open inkscape>open edit>open preferences>open system>paste into user extensions. I have also tried to paste it into inkscape extensions, but that doesn't work either, when the files have been down loaded from jtech do you open them or leave as zip files?, as you can see I am struggling, but then I am very new at this, I hope you reply because I really would like to get moving with the laser.cj

[@DSB.TecnologiaMaker]

Porque você usa o M106 ? Eu uso o m3s.. para ligar e o m5s.. para desligar.

[@katsuragisan1]

Which software areyou using and which is your machine

[@Qubnix]

You send gcode to machine by grbl software or directly by Inkscape?

[@garyjones6328]

been watching this with great interest...but what is the soft ware to use for cutting on the PC ...i can only find and use ben box ..not good at all so what should i be using to control the laser Regards Gary

[@mrjoeyman]

I just set and know my focal point then adjust the Z and laser speed (laser at full power always) to suit, etch, cut, light, dark, etc... Just a quick few tests can dial your settings in before a "print".

[@kyleritchart223]

Please Help! This works great for me at the beginning, but after about 5 different g-codes are made, it doesn't work. I don't know what's happening, but it is kind of frustrating. I do use the 32 bit with the 92.3 version of inkscape

[@ememeable]

Thanks for the eye protection

[@Dosman0026]

Hey man, could you tell me if there is a way to let it first cut this inside details and after that the outside. Also would love to know how to let the laser cut start in the bottom left corner instead of the bottom middle.

[@KarolisBorkertas]

Would this laser engrave the metal ? or it needs a stronger laser?

[@deweysanchez965]

Hi, I have used this gcode generator on inkscape for a BIBO printer. I can get it to do good gcode for line work but it does not fill in objects. Can you help? What am i doing wrong?

[@mzaspel]

It's alsolutely awesome! But I also have a question. It's possible to cut also aluminium? First I want to make a tablet frame for wall mounting. it would look very nice. I don't know now how to save the platform Where I'd like to cut it :)

[@babbagebrassworks4278]

Got a 3018 with 2.5W lase, wanted to know how to use it, now I know, thanks. Inkscape works on Raspberry Pi's.

[@f0xvibes]

when multi passes for cutting... how to stop the minus of the Z height after every pass?

[@LegitLeeVelez]

Hey Tech2c when I try laser cutting on my machine running marlin the cuts come out backwards and upside down any thoughts on how to fix this issue?

[@SVK051]

Thank you for this video! Could you please tell me which settings you have for acceleration and jerk in marlin? I have problems with round forms like the letter "o". The X and Y axis drive very slowly (nearly standstill) on round forms and then ther laser birns too much in this area. On letters like "A" the laser drives on the normal velocity. Thanks

[@devalopr]

I'm building a hypercube with a few modifications , what's the spacing between the x axis carbon fiber rods ( between the middle of the carbon fiber rods )? Is it 50mm? Thanks: )

[@caleblower1982]

Just out of curiosity, what firmware are you using on your printer, because I think my firmware might be my issue

[@massiveoni]

What is the lowest powered laser needed to engrave on aluminium, it doesn't matter if it takes 4 or 5 passes to engrave the image.

[@sergiorocha2036]

I think you say that the distance between laser and the card e 15mm. It looks more? I am waiting for my laser to use in my diy cnc. Thanks.

[@Beta250trials]

Hi man any idea why my text comes out half garbled im using an Anet A8 and everything other what you have advised any help would be great appreciated im a subscriber great site

[@danmatthews1176]

do u hit print from inkscape

[@dragonlord0666]

realise this is old but, if you set the page to the size of the printer bed you can use the align tool to centre images for cutting. shame that laser module can't be shipped to the UK

[@cuentapublicitaria5516]

hi. thanks for sharing! why if you want 25mm/s you put 1500mm/s? i need to manage the real capability of stepper settings, in my case 300mm/s. so how you calculate that numbers?

[@joshuaveator6150]

So apparently I'm an idiot..how do I put the j tech extension into the extensions folder?

[@iyangsentosa7707]

I have a benbox laser machine.should I use g code?and how to instal

[@Rhysss1991]

Hi, thanks for sharing this, I learned a lot from it. I'm having trouble generating the g-code for a filled svg image. I would like to engrave a piece of wood with the text fully black, rather than outlined. Is this an easy thing to do?

[@Veptis]

Could you do this with a pen?

[@MechSniper]

He already made a video where he drew with a pen. Here ya go: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qYnFaoF6ptNkg9E

[@ntheory]

Yes. You can change the laser on/off commands to something like G0 Z0 and G0 Z1 to lift and lower the pen

[@unlost117]

So sweet ay. Great video. You have good communication skills. Keep up this fantastic info.

[@sw-ew1ed]

Thank you so much! I was getting really frustrated with my diy chinese laser machine as it never cut properly to size. Your tutorial was a blessing. I was totally clueless in gcodes and your tutorial is a God send. Thank you so much again. I have a few questions. If you don't mind me asking. 1- Laser on Command in the J tec pop up..can i put anything there? like f1 or f2.? 2. Laser power - it says 0-225 but also 0-12000. what does that mean? I put 1000 as I felt when i put 255 it wasn't burning well.

[@francoricciardi6840]

It does not suffer from the printer card with the power of that laser instead of the fan and if you put a 15w laser?

[@CorvoconV]

Awesome, nice video. Can you made a tutorial for engrave a gray scale picture changing the laser power??

[@Tech2C]

Sure

[@CorvoconV]

Tech2C Thanks, you are doing an amazing job with your videos

[@ameyakhedkar5648]

Your video is good, However I am facing a problem with Inkspace There are few curves in my image that I want to engrave but those curves are converted into straight lines. NEED HELP!

[@gghello7665]

Hi, This is a great tutorial so far. I've installed everything required, but when I go to generate Laser Gcode, the 'directory' is blank. Where do i find the directory??

[@lerksworld1651]

Directory on Mac for desktop is /Users/insertusername/Desktop

[@seiwat8564]

@@lerksworld1651how about windows?

[@szorba900]

How come it prints too small? If i try to cut a 30x30mm shape it actually prints out 9x9 mm. Im using inkscape as shown in this video.

[@johi28]

I have the following issue while using the laser in my Ender 3-Pro from Creality: The height can be customized, and the printer responds to Z offset changes. (software, screen, or Gcode) The machine, I heard it switch on/off, although it does not engrave at all from laser speed 15 to 3,000 mm/min that I tried. I just see a mild sign of work when I put my eye close, but nothing noticeable. The laser won't light up by itself. I have to go to the screen of the printer and adjust the Fan Speed 100% for every print. Even though, the gcode file has M106 S255 in several sections..... and M107 at the end. CAN YOU HELP ME TO MAKE THE LASER WORK....? it had not been an easy process, I am almost frutsrated. Thanks.

[@johnstratairious7936]

THANNNNNK YOUUUU...finally someone e to teach you ink scape...I really appreciate this...thank you so much.

[@pridler85]

Is it possible to make a resin (SLA) add-on to this type of printer?

[@annego]

pridler85 zI don‘t think so. it‘s a completly other process.

[@pridler85]

well yes and no im resurcing if its possible to use some parts to make a DLP (SLA) printer tool to the hypercube like www.instructables.com/id/Chimera-60-DLP-resin-3d-printer/ so in can use the z axel and some new parts, software and a hd projector.

[@mrjoeyman]

Possibly but a futile exercise IMHO of course.

[@jakepto462]

Can u help me I have been trying for two days to get this I have everything installed but my printer will not do anything it will drop down then that's all it says printing 13% then ideal please help thanks jakep

[@hrishikeshb]

I've tried a couple of free raster to gcode plugins and so far the best I found was LaserWeb4.

[@Tech2C]

Last I checked LaserWeb didn't support Marlin firmware?

[@zaqromurachashvili1409]

Can enyone told me why in my inkscape extenshins is not laser g code and how to add it?

[@kristijanstojanovski2705]

How to instal this version??

[@gojdk]

I've been looking for an addon that can cut inder parameter first Some ideas ?

[@SirScapa]

Hi great vid, Can this laser cut throug a 3-4 mm plywood !

[@Tech2C]

Go back and watch the last 2 videos...

[@SirScapa]

ah ok thx

[@HannibalCaine]

How would you 'print' it directly from inkscape? there's no 'printer' driver coming up to select.

[@chestervaldes7551]

You send the gcode file to a program like laserweb4 to drive the lasercutter.

[@brice9613]

I tried to laser engrave with inkscape using my modded prusa i3 mk2s with 2,5W laser. It was a pain in the ass and could not cut anything useful. It crashed so many times and I couldn't figure out how to do fills or how to import a file like a DXF of something that I can design in fusion.

[@Tech2C]

Inkscape is only as good as the laser extensions designed for it. They seem to work for me but I agree Fusion360 provides a lot of features. I'm not sure what you mean by crashing with the laser?

[@brice9613]

Tech2C The software keeps crashing (says not responding and closes). In F360 you provide the file for the hypercube 3d printer would that work with the Prusa ?

[@anumshabbir4673]

Everything is controlled with only 1 software?

[@fx1c333]

can a laptop be used to control the cnc laser?.

[@Beng177]

It can with the one he is using. Most 3D priters can with a laser on it.

[@teresacoppock7900]

When I hit print the only thing it show me is my printer in my house. When i search for a printer it shows my laptop. Very new to this. Please help Thanks Teresa

[@geck2022]

does someone have an idea? my prusa slows down in the curves, so the wood burns; I have no problem cutting a square but anything else burns during the curves ?

[@s3rkanAGA]

I couldn't get worked the plugin. It always gives the error: "The fantastic lxml wrapper for libxml2 is required by inkex.py and therefore this extension.Please download and install the latest version from cheeseshop.python.org/pypi/lxml/, or install it through your package manager by a command like: sudo apt-get install python-lxml" I have installed the phyton 2.7 and lxml wheel but still get this error. Please could someone help me?

[@thebeststooge]

My laser arrives today.

[@thebeststooge]

I just got it and tested it and I did not know the heatsink got that hot.

[@RikerRC]

HI, I recently bought this laser from your link. I'm working on a driver for my CNC machine. I use "CNC shield 3.0" not RAMPS 1.4. I would like to know how you set frequency on your board (to control laser intensity). Would you like to share yours setting from Marlin "Configuration.h" files? The default is: //#define FAST_PWM_FAN //#define FAN_SOFT_PWM #define SOFT_PWM_SCALE 0 Have you changed anything above? Thank you for your time! Best regards

[@Tech2C]

I left it at default. The only gcode commands I send to control the laser is 'M106 S255' for on and 'M107' for off.

[@RikerRC]

Thanks!

[@vizionthing]

I'm so close to running out of money, but this is so neat I'd love to add it to the BOM of the Hypercube :) It's taking a lot not to hit 'buy it now' on banggood!!!

[@Tech2C]

If you can hold on, wait for the sales ;)

[@frankvonthienen3862]

This one with Inkscape works much better than with F360.... the move direction remains (y,x, -y, -x) as it is supposed to Thanks for the video.

[@mikeg4972]

Had a laser etching machine for about a year now. I could never get Inkscape to work with it. Your video got me started on the right path after months of struggling, thanks for posting!

[@SamChaneyProductions]

Thanks for this but I can't seem to get curves using this Photonics extension. The resulting Gcode always just creates straight lines between the points of the path. Even if I make a circle in Inkscape then do object to path then generate laser gcode, the gcode will not actually draw a circle, but an octagon of straight lines. Anyone else have this issue? Thanks!

[@SamChaneyProductions]

I found the issue! My printer's firmware did not have arc support enabled so it couldn't read any of the curve commands (G2 and G3). I updated the firmware and enabled arc support which fixed the issue.

[@dunichtich100]

The New method to set the Z-hight (typing it in the G-Code) ist much easier and precise than what you have shown with Fusion360 😊👍

[@Tech2C]

Fusion360 is the ultimate!

[@chollyquinnelly5976]

Thank you.

[@sinformant]

Thank you for this great video! Now to save up for that $250 15w laser so I can convert my folgertech ft-5

[@MrRS-lk8vl]

thank you for this video

[@dragonlord0666]

know this is two years old but you could have changed the page to be the size of your 3d printer bed, then the align tools would centre your objects to your bed.

[@ToxTox]

soon finished with my hypercube

[@vizionthing]

good luck - still waiting for parts - got the frame built ..... now just twiddling my thumbs

[@sergiorocha2036]

Please forget my comment, I heard fifteen... 50mm is the usual height? Thank you again.

[@marzenfalschung2220]

I follow your instructions, but my gcode only has this in it"M107 S0 G90 G21 G1 F1500 G1 X0 Y0"

[@brucebaxter6923]

pulse the laser and it cuts far better

[@kyleritchart223]

Only SVG images work

[@ememeable]

Pledginrism I believe it to be Micheal Porter not Merlin Sincerely Ejike

[@edkins1]

No one tells that inkscape does not control laser. Inkscape just generating Gcode thats all, thats all.. Where do you see controls ? XYZ axis, homing and overrides ? WTF ? 😁

[@secmaforum]

pleace stop moving your positions manuel, a stepper motor makes a curant if you turn it , so you wil distroy your breakout , further gereat video

[@GothiczHouseOfKustomz]

Why don't you answer peoples questions here, maybe because you have no clue as to what your actually doing, and everything so far has been pure luck....