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Here is a quick guide to get started on making your own ornaments. Submit your finished project pictures for a chance to win prizes (Learn More)
The Sainsmart designs are multi-layered “3D” Ornaments (Download DXF & SVG Files) that are made of 6 different layers that will be glued together when complete. You can also make a simplified version by combining all the layers together and laser engraving a “flat” version.
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Choose your way to create - CNC Milling or LASER
Using Easel
Start a “New Project” in Easel then import the design. You can download the SVG files for the ornaments <HERE> or you can use the guide below by either following the link to get started or read here, you can do this by selecting “Import” from the bottom left of the Easel tool bar and selecting SVG after clicking the link.
Hint: If you would like to make your own Custom designs, check out this easy to follow guide on Instructables. You can Import the design directly to Easel and customize it yourself! <Custom Ornament Template >
Step 1. Open the Template and add your Text
Click the “open in Easel” button to get the ornament template. Copy the template over to your projects. Name your new file.
Use the text tool to pick a font and add the text you would like.
Step 2. Xploder App
In order to make the text usable, we will need to use the “Xploder” app. This is a tool that turns text into shapes, so we can move the parts around. Highlight the text, click Apps, and select “Xploder”.
You do not need to adjust the “gap” setting, click import. Once imported, delete the original text you created. Now, move the different sections of text to arrange them in the circle shape the way you would like.
You can use the icons or image import to add other elements other than text to the design.
Overlap your text, images, and ornament outline as fills until you are happy with the design. I find it easiest to design with all fills and change to outlines later.
Step 3. Combine
Once you have the overlapping elements arranged the way you like, highlight everything, make sure they are a filled shape, and click “edit” then " combine".
This should take the overlapping individual elements and make them into one shape!
Once combined, change the “fill” setting to “outline” and “outside”.
Step 4. Select a Material and Bit
Now that the design is done, select the material and bit you would like to use. I have been using the 1/6" upcut fish tail but (blue collar) and glitter acrylics.
Make sure to:
- Change the bit in Easel.
- Change the material in Easel
- Change the material dimensions in Easel
Changing these settings will affect how your project is cut out.
I am also going to use double sided tape to secure the material down to the waste board so I do not have to use tabs. You can disable tabs in the shape panel.
Step 5. Simulate and Carve
Click the “simulate” button to make sure your project will cut the way you are anticipating. If you see red, don’t panic. Red parts will not cut. You can either make the design larger, or if you are happy with the simulated carve, ignore the red areas.
After any final adjustments, you are ready to carve!
Step 6. Share your creation! <Share your works>
Using LaserGRBL
We recommend using a Laser Module with an “Air Assist” system installed to deliver max cutting power. The sainsmart LC-60 comes with an air assist system pre installed and ready to go, making it perfect for laser cutting designs big or small quickly.
Step 1. Importing your design
Either import your design by selecting “File" and open or you can simply drag and drop your Vector (SVG) design straight into the program.
Step 2. Selecting Material and Laser Power Settings
At this stage you need to input your ‘Cut’ settings. This is determined by the material type and thickness you choose to use. For this project we are cutting designs so you need CONSTANT POWER. For engraving projects you want to set this to Dynamic Power and change the “S-Min” variable to 10.
As an example for this project we will use 3mm Basswood plywood. A safe and slow setting of 160/mm sec + 100% power with air assist enabled and you can easily cut in 1 pass.
Step 3. Position your design
Home your machine by selecting the “HOME” Icon which is shaped like a house on the bottom toolbar.
Step 4. Trace your design
Want to make sure your design is placed in the proper position on your material? We can do this by installing a custom button! This will do a lower power laser trace of your design “box” area, not of the actual design. You will be able to see how much area you need and where the machine will be operating.
In order to install this custom button, you will need to download the “Frame Project'' button from this link, which you can import directly into LaserGRBL by right-clicking in the custom button area, select Import custom Buttons, and select the FrameProject.gz file that you just downloaded. Make sure to click “Yes” to the pop-up window that comes after.
The button is now installed and ready to use!
Step 5. Focus your laser
Now that your material has been placed and positioned you need to focus your laser. Depending on your model Laser machine, the Jinsoku series are “Fixed” Focus which require the Z-axis height to be adjusted. Follow the instructions provided by your machine to ensure proper focus. To make this step easier, enable the “FOCUS” button in Laser Grbl to fire a soft weak laser making it easy to see the laser focal point. You want the “head’ of the laser displayed on your material to be as small as possible.
Step 6. Cut your Design and Share
Now that you're all set, run your program and let the magic begin. Send your finished designs to us for a chance to win some great prizes!
Ornament Sample with Light Burn
We creat a sample ornament of 2mm MDF board, with our laser machine LC-60A. The integrated air-assist system gives clean and clear outline of the components.
Here are the laser settings in LightBurn V1.0, finish pattern lasering first, and then start cutting out the components.
