Full Version: line widths
From: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#1]
24 Apr 2006
To: ALL
I've only had X3 for about a week. (longtime Adobe user) I've had my Epilog Mini-24 for about 6 hours, but can't use it for another week or so until the room for it is finished and the exhaust system shows up.
In the mean time I want to prepare a number of test files.
The Epilog manual says lines from .001 to .007 will be vector cut. The default sizes at the bottom of the pen line widths in X3 are Hairline and .0069. The .0069 is within that range, but it seems hairline would be an easier selection.
Does anybody with an Epilog know if the hairline works fine for vector cutting? Does it have a defined width? Or do you use the .0069 lines? (or is there a way to add .001 to the list of default choices on the pen width drop box?)
From: logojohn [#2]
24 Apr 2006
To: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#1] 24 Apr 2006
Mine has to be hairline or .001 in the real world.
It will raster even a .002 thickness at 600 dpi.
and will raster .004 with 400 dpi. At 400 dpi, .002 will not raster but it won't vector either unless it is .001. That is from the Xenetech software with an epilog laser.
A few times when doing tiny raster letters from coreldraw they would be missing and a vary narrow width like .003. I don't know if that means they would have vectored instead.
I don't see any reason not to just use the hairline for vector. But I don't do that much cutting so some cutting experts may have a reason.
If you haven't figured out yet, you can choose custom line thicknesses between those listed. Select an object, right mouse click and select properties. The pen thickness outline shows up there but in the window you can just overwrite the listed choices by entering any number like.002 etc.
.
From: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#3]
24 Apr 2006
To: logojohn [#2] 24 Apr 2006
Yup, I figured out you can edit the line width to anything. And figured out that I can set the default for new objects to be a custom width. But new drawings always start out with hairline as the default, so I'd have to remember to set that custom default each time I start a new drawing.
I guess as long as hairline will vector OK, then I'll just stick with that.
Thanks.
From: logojohn [#4]
24 Apr 2006
To: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#3] 24 Apr 2006
I have several things like page size that I use that I got tired of changing with new jobs. Some things likely can be set as defaults but I haven't had time to figure out all that.
One way to make it easier is to just make all your changes and then delete all the objects unless there is something you always use.
Save the blank job as a template.cdr. When you open it up a lot of the default things including the pen width and color, nudge amounts etc. will be already be set.
.
From: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#5]
24 Apr 2006
To: logojohn [#4] 25 Apr 2006
Ahh. That would solve my next question, which was going to be: I created a named paper size "laser_12x24" to match the bed of my laser, but it defaults to the origin being in the lower left and I can't find any way to make it always be the upper left.
I'm guessing that I can set that manually and save it as part of the template you are suggesting.
From: Carl (CSEWELL) [#6]
25 Apr 2006
To: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#5] 25 Apr 2006
Dave;
I don't have X3, but in v12 you can save 'certain' settings by selecting Tools>Save settings as default. For line widths and colors, it's a little more involved. Hopefully, this hasn't changed too much in X3 and the following will help:
For line color/fill, without anything selected in the drawing window, click on a color in the color pallette and a pop-up window will ask you to select which tools will receive the new default setting. Click the appropriate check boxes. Then select "Tools>Save settings as default". This should save your settings for the next time you enter CorelDraw.
For line width, without anything selected in the drawing window, click on the Outline tool (pen icon) and select the line width you want for the default. The hairline width is the icon with the two opposing arrows. You'll be presented with the same pop-up window. Check which boxes you want to make the new default apply to and make sure you select "Tools>Save settings as default".
Oh, as far as the ruler settings, they can also be saved as defaults under Tools>Options. Go to the Documents section and then Rulers. I have the vertical set at 12 to force the origin to the upper left of the drawing space. Again, I'm not sure if they have made significant changes in X3 to make this information useless. And don't forget to save the defaults! You can also click on the Document section (in Tools> Options) and it will allow you to save defaults there.
HTH!
EDITED: 25 Apr 2006 by CSEWELL
From: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#7]
25 Apr 2006
To: Carl (CSEWELL) [#6] 25 Apr 2006
Thanks. I did work through most of that last night and now have my defaults set up reasonably well.
The one thing I really wish I could do is add my own sizes to the line width drop down box in the properties docker.