Full Version: Corel Draw help--I think.
From: Mikey (MIKE2449) [#1]
9 Apr 2007
To: ALL
I am placing a border around a stone plaque--just a line border that I will paint gold. The other day, I thought I read somewhere in here that there is a way to have this border engraved on a directional basis. Was I dreaming or is there a way to do this? Thanks for your time in advance.
Mike
EDITED: 9 Apr 2007 by DGL
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#2]
9 Apr 2007
To: Mikey (MIKE2449) [#1] 9 Apr 2007
One technique is to create vector lines, within vector lines, spaced very close together.
From: Mikey (MIKE2449) [#3]
9 Apr 2007
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#2] 9 Apr 2007
Thanks Dave--I'm going to try that. I thought there was a way to color the lines and have the laser id them as a directional command. Could have been a wishful dream too.
Mike
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#4]
9 Apr 2007
To: Mikey (MIKE2449) [#3] 9 Apr 2007
That may be possible, although I think that may be the function of the objects manager.
Colors, to my semi-knowledgeable memory, are to assign different powers and speeds to those colors.
Just going by what I've read here, with no experiencial knowledge of that process.
From: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#5]
9 Apr 2007
To: Mikey (MIKE2449) [#3] 9 Apr 2007
Colors are usually used to set different speed/power settings for those objects, though colors can also be used to group objects to be lasered before or after objects of a different color.
But the color doesn't determine the direction of the travel.
If you draw a box, or a series of connected vectors, the laser will start in one corner and follow it around to the other end (for a box, around until back at the same point).
For individual vector lines the order is determined in most systems by the order in the Object Manager list in Corel. The direction of each line is determined by that vector's starting point (I believe shown by a small box at one end of the line when it is selected). You can use the flip horizontal or vertical buttons to change the direction of specific vectors.
From: Mikey (MIKE2449) [#6]
9 Apr 2007
To: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#5] 9 Apr 2007
Dave J:
Thanks. I think this is what I read or stumbled onto. I'm trying to get the laser to engrave the box/border separate from the rest of the composition and do it in linear fashion. Could you explain how this is done? I'm still new to this software and equipment.
Thanks,
Mike
From: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#7]
9 Apr 2007
To: Mikey (MIKE2449) [#6] 9 Apr 2007
If the border is a simple line/box shape, then draw a box using the box tool and set it's pen size to hairline and fill to transparent.
If you want it to vector first or last then you could put it at the bottom or top of the list of objects in the object manager. Usually the items are engraved starting at the bottom of the list in the object manager)
If it is the only vector in the artwork (ie: a vector around a bitmap that will be rastered) then you could select "Raster & Vector" in the driver and the laser will raster everything and then vector the thin items.
If you want to laser that vector seperately from anything else, or at a different power, then you can either:
-- Put it on a different layer and laser that layer at a different time (turn on the print icon for just the layer you want to laser)
-- Or you can set that vector to a color that your laser supports for lasering in color mode. For example, make the line red and then set the laser driver so that red engraves at the speed/power you want. Make sure the color you set it to in Corel is exactly the same RGB settings as the color you set in the advanced tab of the driver, in color mode. The colors must match exactly.
From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#8]
9 Apr 2007
To: Mikey (MIKE2449) [#1] 9 Apr 2007
I think I get what you are after. There are two ways to make a vector fill with Corel. The one described is the one that works best. X3 may screw this up so use version 9. (X3's PLT export filter is broken.)
In Corel 9:
Create a rectangle . Go to the 'Interactive Contour Tool. Select the rectangle and then the icon that says 'Inside". Set the spacing to what you need, about .004". Set the number of lines to give you the width you need for the box. (Inches / .004) Press enter to get the set of lines. Export the box as a PLT setting the line thickness as .001, maybe not necessary, but do it.
You can then import the finished border.
Do not use the hatch fill, that will give you lines in one direction that are broken and will be the same as rastering.
EDITED: 9 Apr 2007 by HARVEY-ONLY
From: Mikey (MIKE2449) [#9]
9 Apr 2007
To: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#7] 9 Apr 2007
Dave:
Thanks, this should save me a boat load of time. I appreciate it.
Mike
From: Mikey (MIKE2449) [#10]
9 Apr 2007
To: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#8] 9 Apr 2007
Harvey:
Thanks for your input. I have Corelx3, but I think I can work it out. I'll let everyone know how I do in a bit.
Mike
From: Mike (MIKEN) [#11]
9 Apr 2007
To: Mikey (MIKE2449) [#10] 10 Apr 2007
Harvey's method will allow you to vector the border and will give the border width so that when you paint fill it it'll look like a border.
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#12]
11 Apr 2007
To: ALL
Awww Man!
By the time it gets to me the question is usually answered. Awww shucks.
Harvey is right. Use the contour docker.....
....I submit that all posts to the forum must be delayed until 6:00 AM Hawaii Standard Time....... ( insert, man I wish I could help laugh here)