Problem
When sending something from Rhino to the Epilog software, users are seeing issues with improper line work.
This issue is FILE-SIDED and must be fixed prior to sending your work to the Epilog laser suite.
Solution
The key things to keep in mind when preparing a Rhino file for laser cutting:
- Curve preparation:
- Convert any NURBS curves to a series of arcs and lines, as many laser cutters can only read lines and arcs.
- Rebuild curves to ensure they are clean and have minimal points. (SELECT F11 for this so you avoid having access points)
- Remove any overlaps, gaps, or duplicate curves, as these can cause issues during cutting.
- Layer organization:
- Separate the geometry into distinct layers based on the desired cutting order and power levels. (Etching and cut through)
- Assign each layer a unique color (black, red, orange, etc.) Make sure it matches the display, print color for efficiency.
- Geometry settings:
- Set all geometry properties (color, line type, print color, print width) to "By Layer".
- Ensure all geometry is aligned to the Z=0 plane. (IMPORTANT)
- Remove any unnecessary geometry that should not be cut, such as bounding boxes.
- Other considerations:
- Scale the geometry to the desired final cut size within Rhino before exporting.
- Nest parts efficiently to minimize material waste.
- Check that the exported file opens correctly in the laser cutter software and that the layers/colors are recognized properly.
- Objects not reflecting:
- Make the line as continuous from OBJECT> LINETYPE > CONTINUOUS.
- Select all the line work that you desire to cut and in command, type JOIN and this should join all the disconnected curves.
- Create a new rhino file with a continuous line property, properly assigned colors for display and print, with the line type set as continuous. Copy your line work, then go to the command and execute Match Properties.
By following these steps, you can help ensure your Rhino file is properly prepared and optimized for successful laser cutting. The key is to clean up the geometry, organize the layers, and export in a format compatible with the laser cutter's requirements.
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