Christmas Tree Ornament Holder

Before you begin

Your laser cut has a certain width (usually around 0.5 mm).

This "loss" must be included in the calculation for the exact slot size.

Sounds complicated? But it is quite simple.

First select the small "Slot-Kerf Test.xcs" file and cut it. Or you can choose the bigger file "Slot Sizer.xcs" which you can use for all your future projects.

Now try to see in which slot your material fits. It should be a really tight fit - this is the right size.

Download the file

There are 3 canvases. I call them Work areas.

The first Work area contains a simple Christmas tree stand. This can be designed according to your own wishes. 

For example, add Christmas motifs or a stroke in it.

How to merge more files I explain below.

The second work area contains the Christmas tree stand with snowflakes (as on the photos).

The stand has a slot of 2.9 mm. This was ideal for my birch wood of about 3.1 mm.

The third Work area contains stands. They differ only by varying slot widths. 

If necessary, replace the stand in Work area 1 or 2 with the one suitable for the material.

Choose the appropriate cut setting

I used birch plywood from amazon in a thickness of 3 mm. In fact, it is a little more than 3.1 mm thick.

With Air Assist I can cut it a little faster and the cuts are cleaner.

A test cut may be a good idea beforehand. Especially if this material has never been used before or if it is a new delivery. I have had a few surprises in the process.

Please never leave the laser unattended when it is working. The material may ignite.

After the first pass, I carefully check that everything has been cut. Without moving the material. If this is not the case, I can start a second pass.

Now the two parts can be taken out of the laser and put together.

Select a suitable Christmas tree ball and hang it. Enjoy the sight and your successful work.

My working steps to create the motif (First a star)

1. Select the "Vector" icon on the left side in the xTool Creative Space.

Create a kite shape

1. Click with the right mouse button and draw a line.
2. Click again to change the direction. 
3. Repeat step 3 again.
4. Click on the starting point to close the shape. A frame is formed around it.

Make a star from a kite square

1. First, I look at the position for arranging multiple identical objects. I have set the Y axis to 100.2.
2. Select "Array" from the icons on the top bar. 
3. Then "Circular array".
4. A context menu appears. In it I change the values to: Y 100 (so that the intersections overlap), Copies 7. Rotate object Copies must be active (green check mark set).
5. Mark all the resulting parts. (Ctrl A)
6. Select "Combine" in the upper toolbar.
7. Then click on "Unite".

The result is now a star.

Resize and rotate the star

1. Mark the star
2. In the upper toolbar you can change the size directly at "Size". I have chosen a width of about 53 mm. If the lock symbol is closed, the length changes proportionally. Another possibility to change the size: Drag one of the corner points with the mouse to make it bigger or smaller.
3. Right next to the size in the toolbar you can enter a rotation value. (For example, 45 for a quarter rotation). For a manual rotation, move the point above the marker square to the right or left.

Video

Create a star

- Vector drawing with xTool Creative Space

- Circular array

- Combine-Unite

- Rotate

Video duration 1:34

https://youtu.be/s-5n_LEYe4s

Draw a simple tree (and change the shape)

1. Select the Vector icon in the right toolbar.
2. Draw a triangle starting approximately in the center of the star. At the same time add some points by clicking the left mouse button. (You can't add or delete more points later).
3. With a double click (left mouse button) the points in the vector graphic become visible again.
4. Now click on one of these points. You will now see 2 blue points and a green point in the middle. Move your mouse (now it looks like an ink pen) to one of the blue dots and move your mouse to the left or right.
5. The blue dots can (simultaneously) be dragged further out or in.
6. Repeat the steps for each of the dots until you reach the desired shape.

Add a circle

1. In the left toolbar you will find the "Insert" icon. Select the circle in it.
2. By dragging the mouse with the left mouse button pressed, a circle is created. Hold down the Shit key at the same time so that the circle is evenly round. (Optionally you can also adjust the size of the circle. You may have to open the lock to adjust length and width separately).
3. Place the circle over the tree.

Substrat the circle

1. Select only the tree (by hovering over it with the left mouse button pressed).
2. mSelect "Cobmbine" in the upper toolbar.
3. Now click on "Substact".

Inner outer line

1. Select "Outline" in the upper toolbar.
2. Set the value to -8.
3. Press OK.

Create the mounting arc for the ornament

1. Select "Shape" from the right toolbar.
2. Click the half moon.
3. Position the crescent on the left side of the tree.
4. Reduce and rotate it. (You know by now how this works).
5. Select the inner and outer tree. (Multiple elements can be selected easily by holding down the Shift key).
6. Select "Combine" from the upper toolbar.
7. Click on "Unite".

Centering all objects

1. Select all objects (Ctrl A).
2. Select "Align" from the upper toolbar.
3. Select "Horizontal align center".
4. If you still don't like the position of the star, adjust it manually by rotating and moving it.
5. Select the outer tree and the star.
6. Select "Combine" and then "Unite".

Video

Create a tree

- Vector drawing with xTool Creative Space

- Change vectors

- Various combining functions

- Different alignment

Video duration 6:22

https://youtu.be/g6PXiDsaP_0

Create a stand

1. Select "Shape" from the right toolbar.
2. I chose the rectangle with rounded corners.
3. Adjust the width and length. For this you need to open the lock. I chose 135 mm width and 100 mm height.
4. Select "Insert" and create a rectangle.
5. Set the width to 55 mm.The height depends on your material. (You measured it at the beginning using the slot sizer).
6. Mark the foot (rounded rectangle) and the rectangle.
7. Center it. -Select "Array", "Horizontal align center" and then "Vertical align center".

You can now combine both parts using "Combine" + "Substract at overlap". Later, however, the parts can no longer be changed.

Another possibility is grouping. Select the rounded and the rectangle, press the right mouse button (a submenu appears), select "Group".

Completion of the Christams Tree Ornament Holder

1. Draw a rectangle again.
2. The width should be 0.1 mm wider than the slot in the base. (I chose a width of 55.1 mm and a height of about 15 mm).
3. Position the rectangle at the bottom of the fir tree. It should not touch the inner tree line. Center the rectangle.
4. Mark the outer tree line and the rectangle.
5. Connect the two. - "Combine", "Unite".
6. Save your file.

Video

Create a stand

- Element and matching slot for the material

Video duration 2:01

https://youtu.be/uOyISo4qVfw

Bonus material

(in pictures)

- Make a copy

- Open an additional workspace

- Paste the copy

- Add your own elements

- Change the size

- Position your elements

- Connect the elements with the inner tree line

- My settings for cutting

- Rename workspaces

- Save your file

Video

Bonus Material

- Create another workspace

- Insert additional SVG files

- Positioning

- Cobine the additional elements

Video duration 3:03

https://youtu.be/IQK22pajzDA