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 maquette (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 import and export .pdf and .dwg drawings.
There are different variants of SketchUp: SketchUp Pro and SketchUp Free.
SketchUp Pro contains more functions, 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 (many tutorials can be found on the Internet)
- suitable for drawing in 3D and 2D
This tutorial uses SketchUp Pro.
Getting Started
Download our SketchUp template here. 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 several parts of the same material, you can combine them into one drawing (nesting). When doing this, 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 parts: at least 2 mm (4 mm for foam).
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Draw a frame of cut lines along the edge of your drawing for a neat edge. If you don't draw a frame, we will position the drawing at our discretion on a sheet. In doing so, the edges of the sheet may be cut instead of lasered.
Tip: If you use 'Components' in the 3D model of the model 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 lines to be cut and engraved is made on the basis of colors:
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 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 the lines with a color , it is important in which layers the objects are in (see the drawing rules).
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Draw according to the drawing rules in the appropriate layers:
Put cutting lines in the 'cut' layer
Put engraving lines in the 'line engraving' layer
Put engraving faces in the 'plane engraving' layer
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 the different layers with the correct color , you will need to adjust the display settings under 'Styles'. In the SketchUp template, a Style has already been created with the appropriate settings called 'Laser Cut'.
- Go to Window > Styles
- Under Styles, choose "Laser Cutting.
Check that:
- 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 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 OK
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Click Export
Upload
On our website, drag and drop the .pdf file into the upload field.
Check carefully if:
- the format is correct
- the colors of the preview match the intended edits
Blue = full cut
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.
