Find a symmetric image or SVG you like

1. If it's an image, when you import it you need to use the trace function to turn it into an SVG
2. It needs to be symmetric so that it looks correct when you put it together!

Scale it to the size you want, in this case 100mm tall

Ungroup all parts of the SVG so that you can delete any features you don't like and can use different layers for different features

Create the center cut rectangles

1. You need 2
2. They should be half the height of the object you are making, in this case 50mm
3. Thickness is determined by material - kerf (thickness of the laser), in this case 3mm minus .08mm, or 2.92mm

Use the alignment tools at the top of the Lightburn interface to align the center cut rectangles

1. One to V-Align Center and V-Align Bottom
2. The other to V-align Center and V-Align Top *Note that one of my ghosts is flipped upside for space saving so it appears that the cut rectangle is on the bottom of both

On the first object, select the object outline THEN the cut rectangle, resulting in both items selected, then use Boolean Subtract on the left side of the screen to properly combine them.

1. Repeat on the other item

Make sure you have changed the layers to match what you want to engrave and what you want to cut and then select all entities of one object and use the group command so they stay aligned.

1. Repeat on the other item

When you put your workpiece in the laser, it needs to be held down, because we will be used the extra wood as a jig later to engrave the other side

Run the project

After, use the move command to move the laser a specified amount in one direction off of the workpiece so you have room

1. Remember this number because you will need to move it back after!

Using the tools at your disposal, remove the items from the project without moving the workpiece

1. I use a small knife

Flip the objects and return them to the jig

In the Lightburn layers list, turn off the output on the cut (line) layer

Run the project

Remove your project and assemble the pieces!