In this tutorial you will learn how to turn a 3D SketchUp Model into a laser drawing. As an example, we will use a simple facade for an architectural model (scale model). SketchUp is a computer program for drawing in 3D. It is a relatively inexpensive program compared to other programs and it is easy to learn. It is available for Windows and OSX. A 3D SketchUp model consists of a .skp file format but can also be .pdf and .dwg import and export drawings.
There are several variants of SketchUp: SketchUp Pro and SketchUp Free.
SketchUp Pro contains more features but, unlike SketchUp Free, it is not free.
SketchUp Free is an online version of SketchUp Pro, useful if you want to try it out!
SketchUp is:
- easy to learn (there are many tutorials on the internet)
- suitable for drawing in 3D and 2D
This tutorial uses SketchUp Pro.
Getting started
Download here our SketchUp template. Herein are the layers and styles set up to get started right away. Now you can draw!
- Draw your 3D model in 1:1 scale, or convert your existing 3D Model to 1:1 scale by scaling it. In this tutorial the model is drawn as it will look in reality, including the thickness of the material to be lasered. So you can immediately see what your model will look like.
From 3D to 2D
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Convert your 3D model from 3D to 2D. You can do this by rotating the various parts and placing them in a flat plane.
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If you need different parts of the same material, you can merge them into one drawing (nesting). Pay attention to the maximum size of the material you are going to use. You can draw parts all the way to the edge of the sheet size.
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When nesting, leave a small space between the parts: at least 2 mm (4 mm for foam).
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Draw a frame of cutting lines along the edge of your drawing for a neat edge. If you do not draw a frame, we will position the drawing on a plate at our discretion. In doing so, it is possible that the edges of the plate will be cut instead of lasered.
Tip: If you use 'Components' in the 3D model of the maquette and copy it to the 2D plane, you will see the adjustments you make in the 2D plane immediately reflected in the 3D model.
Cutting or engraving
The distinction between cutting and engraving is made on the basis of colors:
Blue (RGB 0,0,255) lines are cut through
Red (RGB 255,0,0)lines are engraved as line
Magenta (RGB 255,0,255) closed lines are graphed as plane
Gray (RGB 128,128,128) lines are ignored (useful as auxiliary lines, or help text)
Note that unrecognized colors and layer names are automatically read in as 'cuts'. These lines are shown in blue in the preview.
To export lines with a color, it is important in which layers the objects are (see the drawing lines).
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Draw according to the drawing rules in the appropriate layers:
Put cut lines in the layer 'cut'
Put engraving lines in the layer 'line engraving'
Put engraving surfaces in the layer 'plane engraving
Put all lines and 'faces' that should not be cut or engraved in the 'ignore' layer -
Text must be converted to lines before it can be cut or engraved.
Adjusting line color in 'Styles'
To display the colors of the lines from different layers with the correct color, you will need to adjust the display settings in 'Styles'. In the SketchUp template, a Style has already been created with the correct settings called 'Laser Cut'.
- Go to Window > Styles
- Under Styles, choose 'Laser cutting'.
Check if:
- at the Edge Settings
'Edges' is checked
the Edge 'Color' is set to 'By material - at the Modeling Settings
'Color by Layer' is checked
- Check that the Layers have the correct 'Material Color' and the color of the lines is now correct.
Save as .pdf
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Make sure the 'Camera' is set to 'Parallel Projection' instead of 'Perspective'.
Camera > Parallel Projection -
Set the 'Camera' to the 'Top View'.
Camera > Standard Views > Top
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File > Export > 2D Graphic...
Under Format: choose PDF File (*.pdf) -
Click on Options...
Check if at:
- Image Scale the correct scale is set: 1.0 mm 'In Image' = 1.0 mm 'In Model'.
- Line Quality the Line Scale is set to 0.5
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Click on OK
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Click on Export
Upload
On our website, drag and drop the .pdf file into the upload field.
Please check carefully if:
- the format is correct
- the colors of the preview match the intended edits
Blue = completely cut through
Red = line / vector engraving
Magenta = plane engraving
Gray = no operation / layer to be ignored
Note that unrecognized colors and layer names are automatically read in as 'cuts'. These lines are shown in blue in the preview.
