4.1 Working with files

Working With Files

Working with SVG files created in Adobe Illustrator

When creating SVGs in Adobe Illustrator, pay particular attention to the CSS Properties settings under the Advanced Options. Setting this value incorrectly can lead to LaserWeb 4 not recognizing your color pallet when setting up your CAM operations.

The correct setting is to use Style Attributes. This will include the color information in the SVG and will allow LW4 to function as described in the CAM articles for filter fill and filter line.

By using Style Attributes, the SVG code generated by Adobe Illustrator stores all the style information for each object/shape/path directly into its specific code. This does allow you to utilize the full features of LaserWeb4.

Style Attributes version imported into LaserWeb4

When the CSS proerties are set to "Style Attributes", the SVG file's colours have been loaded into LW4 when the SVG is imported. The Filter Fill/Stroke options are fully available now that we have changed the method in which Adobe Illustrator is describing the objects/shapes/paths. This is the desired result.

We can now fully utilise LaserWeb4's features our Adobe Illustrator created SVGs.

Working with DXF files

Written by Ariel Yahni	
Last Updated: 21 March 2017 

Our current support for DXF files is the following:

DXF files need to be formatted in R12 ASCII. If your file is not formatted in R12 ASCII, LaserWeb4 will not load the file and instruct you to fix it as stated above If your current CAD or vector application does not support exporting to R12 ASCII the you’ll need to:

• Download Draftsight - Free. open your current file and use the option Export to R12 ASCII

Native DXF export tested:

Exporting from Sketchup Make ( Free ) / Pro 2017 using the Export 2D is supported. Minus Layers
Fusion 360 default save to dxf supported. Minus splines, text
Illustrator and Inkscape dxf native export only support lines. 

IMPORTANT:

• Fills are not supported and will be disabled during loading

Working with Sketchup files

Written by Peter van der Walt	
Last Updated: 16 February 2017 

So you have a 2D drawing in Sketchup (or a 3D drawing that you manually unpacked into flat parts) and you want to use LaserWeb/CNCWeb to machine it out?

Install the Guitarlist DXF/STL Plugin

Well, best way of getting files out of Sketchup and into LaserWeb - is via DXF. Sketchup Make (free version) does not come with DXF export built in, but that is easily fixed with the Free Guitarlist DXF and STL Export Plugin. Download and install the plugin (Note I have tested all of them and this one is by far the best! I absolutely love it for DXF and STL export from Sketchup)

Once the plugin is installed, you can launch it from Tools -> Export to DXF or STL in Sketchup:

You can select parts of the model, or export the whole model: If you didnt select anything, it will ask whether you want to export the whole model:

Select Millimeters (In ZA we use the metric system, so LaserWeb is Metric by design) Select Polyline (NB: polylines are the easiest DXF to parse - and best way of getting shapes into LaserWeb) Save the file, and open it in LaserWeb