Learn how to create this cute photo frame using the Creative Space software. If you are new to the program or want to learn more this is a great skill building tutorial. I'll show you how to create the pencil by combining shapes, editing nodes, using the scissors, and adding outlines. Great activity for the child to paint the frame themselves!
We'll begin this project by creating the pencil vector. Draw a rectangle that measures W = 0.5" x H = 5".
From the “Shape” menu select the shape shown in the picture, rotate it 90 degrees and resize the W = 0.5". Place the shape over the top of the rectangle, select both shapes and center Horizontally.
From the “Combine” menu “unite” both shapes to form a single shape.
Select the shape, open the “Application” menu and click on “Grid Array” enter the following parameters: Columns = 3, Rows = 1, Spacing = 0. Click “Done” select all 3 shapes right click with your mouse and select “Group”.
Next, select the triangle shape and resize the width to: 1.5" Click off the shape then double click it to activate the vector editing mode. Select the scissors icon and click on the center of the bottom line of the triangle to delete it. Select both shapes, align horizontally and move the triangle down so that it touches the top of the 3 columns.
To create the bottom section of the pencil draw 3 rectangles:
W = 1.5" x H 0.5", W = 1.5" x 0.1", W = 1.5" x 1", apply a radius of 0.1 to this rectangle only.
Align the rectangles to the bottom of the pencil. The bottom rectangle should overlap the middle rectangle to hide the radius on the corners. This is shown in the picture. Select all the shapes and “Align Horizontal Center”.
At this point it's a good idea to assign layer colors. Red - cut, Blue - score, and Purple - engrave.
Select all the shapes, right click with your mouse and assign “Blue”. Next, select the “1.5” x 0.1" rectangle and change the layer to Purple and choose “Engrave” from the “EasySet Panel”, this will give you a visual of how the design looks.
Select the “line” shape and draw a line across the top of the triangle, this will create the tip of the pencil. Assign a Blue layer color.
Select all the shapes and “Align Horizontal Center” and group together.
There are a lot of elements to the shape so making an outline isn't as simple as clicking outline. The best way I have found is to duplicate the shape. Keep your original file and place off to the side. Click on the duplicate and choose “unite” from the “Combine” menu.
To remove the inside pieces simply click on the “Release compound vector” click off the shape then on it again and “Ungroup". Delete the inside pieces and you’ll have a nice clean vector “outline” Change the layer color to RED.
Add a 0.03 outline, uncheck the “add inner outline for bitmap” box and click apply. Select the original vector (one on the inside) and delete it. Next add another outline to the shape, same steps, with a value of 0.12 and click apply.
Select the pencil grouping and the smaller 0.03 outline, align center and group together. Click on the larger outline 0.12 and align center all the pieces. Don't add the larger outline to the group, you'll see why in the upcoming steps.
Draw 2 rectangles measuring W - 3" x H - 2" and W - 5" x H - 4", apply a 0.2 radius to each one.
Select both rectangles and “Align Center” then from the “Combine” menu “Subtract from Overlap” to make a single object.
Select all the pencil pieces and resize the height only to 5.5", and rotate -8 degrees, this will rotate the pencil to the left.
Place the pencil over the frame as shown in the picture.
Go to the shapes panel and choose the apple vector shape, change the size to W = 1.2". Apply an outline of 0.079, and click apply. Place both of these elements on the opposite side of the fame as shown.
Click on the frame, hold down the shift key and click and outer vector outline of the pencil and click “Combine”. Repeat the same process for the apple. Move the apple off the frame and add another outline to it measureasing 0.03 and change the color of the outline to red, leave the apple image purple. Move the pencil and it's outline off the frame.
Select the star shape and make 3 copies. The sizes I chose are: 1", 0.6", and 0.5". This number is entered into the width only, the height will automatically adjust to maintain the aspect ratio. Assign the stars a red layer color.
Personalize the project. I've added the Name of the child, his grade, teacher, and year. There are many ways to personalize the project, have fun with it. Assign a purple layer to the text as it will be engraved.
This would be a great activity for the child to paint the frame themselves. If you want to do that cut all the pieces from unpainted wood. I chose to use painted wood.
The wood has been painted with acrylic craft paint.
Frame - cut from blue painted wood.
Apple - cut from red painted wood.
Stars - cut from yellow painted wood.
Pencil - cut from natural unpainted wood
Secure the wood to be honeycomb and assign the parameters for the project.
Red - Cut, Blue - Score, and Purple - Engrave. Parameters are listed above.
Send to the laser for processing.
Glue magnets to the back of the frame and let dry.
I wanted the pencil to have some color but wasn't sure I could paint it and still maintain the score and engraved text, so I choose to use coloring pencils. Yellow for the pencil body and pink for the eraser. I used silver acrylic paint for the metal part of the pencil and black for the tip of the pencil.
The apple was cut from red colored wood so I used green paint for the leaf and brown for the stem. To seal the project I used Mod Podge.
Glue the pencil, apple, and stars in place and let dry.
Cut your photo to size and tape to the back of the frame and secure the magnet to the fridge. Step back and admire your work!
I know this was a long and detailed project but I hope you learned a lot about the capabilities of the software and how to create new elements by combining different shapes. This project is a great skill building exercise for people who are either new or want to learn more about the software. If you found this tutorial helpful please give me a “Like" by clicking the heart. If you have questions or would like to see more tutorials like this please leave me a comment. Thank you for talking to time to view this project.