Laser cutting with Vectorworks

In this tutorial you will learn how to turn a 2D Vectorworks drawing into a laser drawing. As an example we use a simple facade for an architectural model (scale model).

Vectorworks is a computer program that can be used to draw in 2D and 3D. It is available for Windows and OSX. Vectorworks uses a .vwx file format but can also import and export .pdf and .dwg drawings.

Vectorworks is:

• easy to learn
• suitable for drawing in 2D and 3D

Getting started

Download here our Vectorworks template. The Classes, Layers and Sheets have been set up here so you can get started right away. Now you can sign!

• Draw your 2D drawing in scale 1:1, or convert your existing 2D drawing to scale 1:1 by scaling it.
• To give the lines a color it is important in which 'Classes' the objects are located (see the drawing rules).

Cutting or engraving

The distinction between cutting and engraving is made on the basis of coloren:
Blue (RGB 0,0,255) lines are cut
Red (RGB 255,0,0) lines are engraved as line
Magenta (RGB 255,0,255) closed lines are engraved as flat
Gray (RGB 128,128,128) lines are ignored (useful as guide lines, or help text)

• Draw according to the drawing rules in the correct 'Classes':
  Put cutting lines in the Class 'cutting'
  Put engraving lines in the Class 'line engraving'
  Put engraving planes in the Class 'plane engraving'
  Put all lines that should not be cut or engraved in the Class 'ignore'

• Text must be converted to lines before it can be cut or engraved.

• If you need different parts of the same material, you can combine them into one drawing (nest). 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 plate dimension.

• When nesting, leave a small space between the parts: at least 2 mm (4 mm for foam).

• 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 as we see fit. It is possible that the edges of the plate are sawn instead of lasered.

Customize the display of a Class

To quickly give all lines of a Class the correct color , you can adjust the graphical representation of the Class. In the Vectorworks template, the different Classes already have the correct color settings, so you don't need to change anything.

• To adjust the appearance of a Class, right-click on the Class and then click Edit… Here you can change the 'Fill Style', 'Pen Style', 'Pen Color', Adjust 'Opacity' and 'Line Thickness' of the objects in the Class. When you're done, press OK

• Select all lines in the drawing. Make sure that the 'Fill Style', 'Pen Style', 'Pen Color', 'Opacity' and 'Line Thickness' of all lines are set to 'Class Style'.

• Check whether the color of the lines is now correct.

Save as .pdf

• Place a 'Viewport' with the correct scale on a 'Sheet Layer'.

• Click on File > Export > Export PDF…
  Under 'Format:' choose PDF

• Click Export

• Choose a folder, name the file and click Save

Upload

On our website, drag the .pdf file into the upload field.

Make sure:

• the format is correct
• the colors of the preview match the intended operations

Blue = cut completely
Red = line / vector engraving
Magenta = area engraving
Gray = no operation / ignore layer

Note: unrecognized colors and layer names are automatically read as 'cutting'. These lines are shown in blue in the preview.