Using Inkscape and LaserGRBL to set-up a vector graphic for laser engraving

[@NikonCrayzee]

Finally!! - someone who actually went down into the details of how to align the zero point of the laser to that of the local SVG coordinate. I was deperately searching for a tutorial that mentioned this - but no luck. I mean think about it - its the most basic thing you have to start of with before you can do any laser etching/cutting etc. But no one seemed to think it was important to mention?? All the videos I checked, basically used a hack - they would do a low power etch onto waste board in order to get the outline of the drawing and then place the actual piece of timber within that etched boundary - yes, that's one way of doing it, but what happens if you have to etch text and graphics over a pre-cut material. That is where this video presentor's method comes in real handy!

[@theidiotsapproach]

Lol glad to help. I honestly had no idea there was any other way to do it🤣

[@dpitstopphtamiyamini4wdrac147]

Can you share the Software Installer LaserGRBL 4.9?

[@theidiotsapproach]

lasergrbl.com/download/

[@charlesgarner9539]

Is there no way to use Laser gbrl by itself to send a photo to the laser engraver. I don't undand why multiple software programs are needed. It's said these machine are so easy to use but if someone needs a program to drive another program to drive the laser ,where is the easy part? Having to learn a new software program is hard enough but having to learn 2 software programs at the same time is beyond me. It would be nice if these software developers had in depth training. I know of a couple of folks that bought laser engravers and in less than a year were up for sale. I was thinking of buying one of them but now I see why they gave up on their lasers. Maybe I'm missing something but these laser programs are not easy to use.

[@theidiotsapproach]

I agree. And there are better options. Lightburn is way more user friendly in my opinion and you can load several image formats straight into lightburn and make adjustments without secondary software. It does have a cost but it's pretty affordable. This particular video was just one way of doing it. I'll get some lightburn stuff up at some point. AND these happened to be very specific designs for this project sent to me in SVG format.

[@alpscraftshack599]

Doesn't seem too difficult to do.

[@theidiotsapproach]

Pretty straightforward. Main thing is ensuring alignment of your stock.