BarkBeetleMichael
Report

Taking Physical Object and turning Image into Vector Manually

Instruction
KL Circular Array Coaster Tuturial.xcs
KL Circular Array Coaster Tuturial
.xcs
Application scenario
Laser (2min)
Machine & module
xTool S1
40W
Compatibles · 11
Material used
1/8"(3mm) Basswood Plywood
23
677

Information

      In this tutorial I will go along the steps to take an object you have in hand, take a photo and convert that image into a vector using traditional drafting methods. No Auto-Trace used. Design file includes a breakdown of the process. 

I will take 3 circles and turn the image into a usable vector. 

Tools used in xcs-
Circle
Offset (Outline)
Circular Array
Combine Unite 
    

Instruction

1

Step1: Getting started

Taking Physical Object and turning Image into Vector Manually instruction: step 1 - Getting started
Preview
  • Upload your image into design space for reference. 
  • Determine your desired size and adjust your picture accordingly

 

  • Here we have the picture added to the canvas
  • Our Center Circle appears to be 3"/76.2mm /Red Layer
  • The inner circle of the array appears to be ½"/.5"/12.7mm /Green Layer
  • Let's take that circle and offset by 1/8"/.125"/3mm /Yellow Layer
  • Now we have all the pieces we will need to build our shape!
  • If we separate our circles by layer now we will save time later

 

2

Step2: Starting the Array

Taking Physical Object and turning Image into Vector Manually instruction: step 2 - Starting the Array
Preview
Taking Physical Object and turning Image into Vector Manually instruction: step 2 - Starting the Array
Preview
  • With our 2 smaller circles selected let begin the circular array!
  • You find the circular array in XCS 2.0 Beta by clicking the bottom tab on the toolbar located on the left of the canvas.

 

  • We seem to have 16 sets of the outer circles.
  • So we are going to enter 16 for copies
  • To adjust the array, let's change the X value (I didn't touch Y at all)
  • You can increase the value of  X  to make your array more spread out.
  • You can decrease the value of X to make your array closer together. 
  • I usually just start with 10 and adjust the X value from there to avoid overlapping. 
  • Here a value of 10 sets them almost touching.
  • To get the desired effect from the original part we are going to want a little overlap.
  • To do this we will decrease the value of X until we get a perfect overlap.
  • In this example 9.9 was perfect (you may be at 9.75 or 9.8/ Just adjust until you get your desired results. 

 

 

3

Step3: Alignment of our Vectors

Taking Physical Object and turning Image into Vector Manually instruction: step 3 - Alignment of our Vectors
Preview
  • Now that we have our array completed we essentially have all the pieces we need to complete our final design.
  • The next step will be to select our array (it's still grouped/ this is important)
  • While holding the shift key select the bigger circle.
  • On the right side of the screen you will see the icon for alignment. 

 

  • With our array and circle selected we want to align to horizontal align center and vertical align center.
  • This will get everything perfectly aligned with the desired overlaps.
4

Step4: Combine Operation/ Wait we Can't just yet

Taking Physical Object and turning Image into Vector Manually instruction: step 4 - Combine Operation/ Wait we Can't just yet
Preview

If we just select both objects - combine and unite we will get all of our inner circles of our array to disappear. We don't want this.

 

  • So we are going to break apart the group
  • Select all the outer Circles in the array/ You can do so by holding shift key and selecting individually if you didn't separate them by color/layer earlier. Group outer circles to one group and the inner circles to another. 
  • If you did separate by layer… this will be super easy!
  • All you have to do is open the layers tab/ bottom left Hamburger icon
  • Click the green layer, it will automatically select all the objects on that layer- now group them.
  • Do the same for the yellow layer.

 

Advanced users- technically you could complete your operation here, but we would have had to duplicate a layer of our inner circles from the array. And lock them. Complete the combine unite, then unlock them.

5

Step5: Ok now we can Combine-Unite

Taking Physical Object and turning Image into Vector Manually instruction: step 5 - Ok now we can Combine-Unite
Preview
Taking Physical Object and turning Image into Vector Manually instruction: step 5 - Ok now we can Combine-Unite
Preview
Taking Physical Object and turning Image into Vector Manually instruction: step 5 - Ok now we can Combine-Unite
Preview
Taking Physical Object and turning Image into Vector Manually instruction: step 5 - Ok now we can Combine-Unite
Preview
  • With the Yellow Layer selected 
  • Click the Combine Unite Tool
  • This will delete all of our overlaps from our array

 

  • Now let's clean up the inner part of the yellow layer and the inner circle.
  • Select the Yellow and Red Layers
  • Click the Combine Unite Tool again

 

That's it! We can now cut out our part!

6

Step6: Cutting it Out

Taking Physical Object and turning Image into Vector Manually instruction: step 6 - Cutting it Out
Preview

Lets Get CUTTING!

 

Man that sure did come out nice. 

 

I painted a 12x12 basswood sheet from xtool with an Acrylic Spray Paint. 

Comments

Remixes

xTool Supplies Used in This Template

xTool S1
xTool S1
1/8"(3mm) Basswood Plywood
1/8"(3mm) Basswood Plywood