jennifertenney
Report

Sticky Note and Pen Holder

Instruction
StickyNoteHolder-SwearWords.xcs
StickyNoteHolder-SwearWords
.xcs
Application scenario
Laser (15min)
Machine & module
xTool D1 Pro
20W
Material used
3mm Basswood Plywood A4
184
1381
Information
      It seems like I am always either hunting for my sticky notes or they're all over my desk.  Once found, I then begin looking for a writing utensil. Problem solved.... we create a sticky note holder with a slot for a pen and it keeps them neat and orderly.  This tutorial will teach you how to create one of your own and decorate  it to fit your decore. 
    
Instruction
1
Step1: Create base plate
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  1. Open a new project in XCS (XTool Creative Space) by clicking on the folder icon on the top menu and clicking on NEW from the dropdown.
  2. Select Insert → Rectangle from the left side menu
  3. Draw a rectangle on the page and set the size of the box to 7"w x 5"h using the Size(in) boxes on the top menu.  You will probably need to unlock the constrain proportions by clicking on the lock icon between the height and width boxes.
  4. Set the corner radius to 0.4 using the Corner radius (in) box on the right of the top menu.
  5. In the Object setting dialog box on the right hand side set the Processing type to Cut with the following settings: 100/7/1 (Power(%)/Speed(mm/s)/Pass)
  6. This is the base that will be glued to the bottom of of the top plate.
2
Step2: Create top
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  1. Create another rectangle using the same steps you used above. Make sure to set it to CUT using the same settings as above.
  2. In the Layers dialogue in the bottom left corner make sure it is set to the same layer by moving it to the same colour as the box you created in Step 1. I usually use red for cut, black for engrave and blue for score but you can use whatever colours you would like so log as you place processing types together on the same layer.
  3. For the pen holder slot, create another triangle and set the dimensions to 6.383"w x 0.403"h.
  4. Place the pen slot on the same layer as the box, set it to Cut and use the same settings: 100/7/1 (Power(%)/Speed(mm/s)/Pass) in the Object Settings dialog on the left side of the XCS workspace.
  5. Move the triangle you created for the pen sot onto the 2nd triangle you created and place it inside the box 1/8th of an inch from the top. Select both the box and the pen slot and click on Align → Horizontal align center from the top menu.
  6. Create a square by selecting Insert → Rectangle from the left side menu and set the dimensions to 3.194"w x 3.194"h
  7. Create a small circle by selecting Insert → circle from the left side menu and set the dimensions to 0.77"w x 0.77"h
  8. Place the circle overlapping the top edge of your square and center the circle and the square horizontally by clicking on Align → Horizontal align center from the top menu.
  9. Combine the circle and square by selecting both of them and clicking on Combine → unite from the top menu.
  10. Move this new shape onto the same layer as the 3 rectangles you've already created using the Layers dialog box on the bottom left of the XCS workspace. Set it to Cut and use the same settings: 100/7/1 (Power(%)/Speed(mm/s)/Pass) in the Object Settings dialog on the left side of the XCS workspace. This will hold your sticky note pad.
  11. Now move the sticky note shape onto the box with the penholder slot and position evenly on the left side half way between the pen slot and the bottom of the rectangle and aligning the left side of the pen holder slot and the left side of the sticky note holder shape. 
  12. At this point you should have a 5X7" rectangle with rounded corners (completed in Step 1) and a second Rectangle with the sticky note holder shape on the left and the pen holder rectangle across the top, both INSIDE the second 5x7" rectangle. All items should be set to Cut and use the same settings: 100/7/1 (Power(%)/Speed(mm/s)/Pass) in the Object Settings dialog on the left side of the XCS workspace.

 

3
Step3: Embllish
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4 More images

You'll notice that there is a blank space to the right of the sticky note holder.  This is where we get to be creative. In used a phrase I have heard around but you could easily add an image from the images available in the XCS Shape menu on the left menu or even import your own image.

  1. Select Text from the left menu the word TEXT will appear in a box on your workspace.  Select this text if it isn't already, and in the text dialog now visible on the right side (next to the Object setting dialog) type the text you would like in the Text box. I used: Size(pt): 30, typeface: Gorditas, Style: regular, Spacing: 0, Leading: 0 Align: center. 
  2. Next add a bit of flourish centered above and below the text.  Select Shape → Plant and chose the one located in column 1, 2nd from the last row.
  3. Select the flourish and click Ctl-c and then Ctl-v to copy and paste (Cmd-c and Cmd-v on a Mac).
  4. Select the copy you just made by clicking on it and click Reflect → reflect vertically from the top menu.
  5. Move one of the flourishes above the text and one below your text and select the text and both flourishes and click Align → horizontal align center and then Align → distribute vertically
  6. With the text and flourishes still selected group them by clicking Group from the top menu.
  7. Move the group to a new layer using the Layer dialog on the bottom left of the workspace. I have set them to black as we will engrave this layer rather than cut it.  
  8. Select all objects on the engraving layer by clicking on the colour you have chosen for this layer and setting the following in the Object setting dialog: Processing type: Engrave, Power(%): 60, Speed(mm/s):150, Lines per cm: 100
  9. I wanted to add a bit more decoration around the entire edge of the pen holder so I created another rectangle with the dimensions of 6.75"w x 4.75"h with a corner radius of 0.4.
  10. With this new rectangle I created a second one 1/8th inch (0.125) larger by selecting it and using Outline from the top menu and setting the Offset distance to .125. Click OK and you will now have to boxes just slightly smaller than your original box.  With them both selected click Group from the top menu.
  11. Using the layer dialog move the group to a new colour layer.  THis will be your Score leyer.  In the Object setting dialogue use the following settings: Processing type: Score, Power(%): 40, Speed(mm/s):30, Lines per cm: 100
  12. Move the group to inside the center of your main rectangle and select both the group and your cut rectangle and click Align → horizontal align center and then Align → vertical align center.
  13. Your workspace should resemble that picture in the FinalWorkSpace image.

 

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Step4: Cut and print
  1. Place your wood on the Xtool bed and turn on your machine, air assist and fan and click the Process button.
  2. Make sure to frame your image using the left top position and place the cross hairs of your laser along the top left corner of your wood.
  3. Once your pieces are cut and decorated glue the cutout rectangle to the bottom rectangle using Gorilla Gell Superglue and clamp in place.
  4. The final steps, after the glue has dried and you have removed the clamps, are to color it using stain or acrylic pens if you choose to do so, do a light sanding and spray a protective varnish over it.  that said, you can also leave it just as it is.

As mentioned, I used text but it would be fun to do this and add your company logo or a bouquet of flowers for a gift or any other image.

 

Comments
Remixes
xTool Supplies Used in This Template
xTool D1 Pro
xTool D1 Pro