kern.randall
Report

3D Ornament Without the Glue

Instruction
snowflake-ornament-finished.xcs
snowflake-ornament-finished
.xcs
Application scenario
Laser (45min)
Machine & module
xTool M1
10W
Compatibles · 9
Material used
3mm Basswood Plywood
133
1294
Information
      I wanted to do a how to on creating slots and thought with Christmas right around the corner it's the perfect time to do a 3D ornament. I have included the file with the snowflake already added if you want that, as well as a file that has the snowflake where you could replace it with your own Text or Image. Hope you like it. I left the wedges exposed as I like the kind of rustic look to it but you could sand the edges and paint them.
    
Instruction
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Step1: Prepare Wood
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I taped out 2 approximate squares of 4x4 to accomodate the snowflake ornament. I painted one square pure white and the other a dark gray with equal parts white to make it lighter. Removed the tape and let sit until dry, then put in the machine.

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Step2: Create Circle
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I created a 3 inch circle because that's the size I want the final ornament to be. I'm not accounting the ornament top into that figure, just the width. 

From the left toolbar select Insert>Circle (photo 1). Using the shift key on your computer draw a circle. Using the shift key ensures it draws a perfect circle. If necessary adjust the width or height to the size you want (photo 2).

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Step3: Create rectangle
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Because I'm using 3mm wood I am using specific measurements for that.

From the left toolbar select Insert>Rectangle (photo 1). Adjust the size so the width is 10mm and the height is 2.3mm. You will need to use the unlock button in between the height and the width area on the top toolbar to get these measurements precise (photo 2).

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Step4: Align Rectangle
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Select the rectangle and the circle and from the top toolbar select Align>Horizontal align center (photo 1). Move the rectangle up toward the top of the circle leaving space between the sides of the two shapes.

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Step5: Duplicate and Align Rectangles
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Right click the rectangle and select copy (photo 1). Right click near the bottom right of the circle and select paste (photo 2). Select both rectangles and from the top toolbar select Align>Left (photo 3). Select the bottom rectangle and position it so there is approximately the same distance from the bottom of the rectangle to the bottom of the circle as there is between the top rectangle and circle top.

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Step6: Group and Duplicate Rectangles
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2 More images

Select both rectangles and right click and select Group (photo 1). Right click the selected rectangles and select copy (photo 2). Right click in the lower right of the circle and select paste (photo 3). 

Select both grouped rectangles (should be 4 in total). From the top toolbar select Align>Left (photo 4). With both still selected select Align>Top (photo 5).

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Step7: Rotate Copied Rectangles
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Unselect both rectangles by clicking on the background of the canvas. Select the rectangles again and in the top toolbar enter 90 in the rotate box next to the height (photo 1).

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Step8: Copy All Shapes
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Select all of the shapes on the canvas. Right click and select copy (photo 1). Right click on the background of the canvas and select paste (photo 2).

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Step9: Create Wedges
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From the left toolbar select Insert>Rectangle (photo 1). Draw a rectangle on the canvas. Because I want these to fit snug in the 10" slot I made on each of the circles, I'm going to make the rectangle a little wider. I found 10.3mm works well and I used a 5mm height (photo 2). Copy (photo 3) and paste (photo 4) the rectangle 3 times to make 4 wedges. You can align these how you want to on the canvas, just make sure they aren't overlapping either of the circles.

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Step10: Outline Circle
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We're going to create an inner outline of one of the circles. I chose the one on the left. Select the circle and from the top toolbar select outline. Enter -5 into the outline offset (photo 1). This outline should not touch any of the slots we created in the circle.

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Step11: Insert Image
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Insert your svg image or text and align it with the middle of the inner circle. Whatever overlaps outside the inner circle will be cut off. Part's of the image will need to overlap and cutoff in order to make the top layer combine (photo 1).  Select the image and the inner circle (photo 2). From the top toolbar, select Combine>Subtract (photo 3). The image should cut out of the inner circle.

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Step12: Create Ornament Topper - Base
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From the left toolbar select Insert>Rectangle (photo 1). Adjust the size so it will look decent on the top of your ornament (I chose a 20mm wide by 5.7mm high rectangle) (photo 2). With the rectangle just above the circle, select both the circle and the new rectangle and from the top toolbar select Align>Horizontal align center (photo 3). Make sure the circle doesn't move and just the rectangle aligns. Using your down arrow key on your keyboard, position the rectangle so it is just overlapping the the circle (photo 4). Select both the Circle and the Rectangle and from the top toolbar select Combine>Unite.

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Step13: Create Ornament Topper - Circles
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3 More images

From the left toolbar select Insert>Circle (photo 1). Using the shift key draw a circle. I'm choosing to use a 10mm circle (photo 2). Select the 10mm circle and the outer circle. From the top toolbar select Align>Horizontal align center (photo 3). Make sure only the small circle moves. Using your down arrow move the circle so that it rests just on top of the rectangle that was united (photo 4). With the circle selected, from the top toolbar select Outline and leave at 2mm (photo 5). Press OK. This new circle should overlap the united rectangle. Select the outline we just created and the large circle and from the top toolbar select Combine>Unite (photo 6).

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Step14: Set Cut Settings
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Select all of the objects we created (windows CTRL+A). In the object settings panel select Cut for the processing type. The above settings worked for my machine, but all of them are a little different. I am also cutting with Air Assist.

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Step15: Setup to Cut
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Select all of the items in the overlay circle. Right click and select group (photo 1). 

Select all of the items in the background circle. Right click and select group (photo 2).

Make sure your machine is turned on and you can see your material. Use auto measure or enter your measurement manually. Align the overlay in the white portion and the background in the silver portion (unless you used other colors) (photo 3). The wedges can go anywhere as the color won't show.

Process the file. Mine took about 8 minutes to cut.

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Step16: Assembly
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You should have 6 pieces. 4 wedges, an overlay, and a back (photo 1)). Position the back on the table. Push one wedge into each slot on the back (photo 2). With the wedges in the back slots, align the overlay so the slots match the wedges (photo 3). Push the overlay into place. Enjoy your ornament!!!

Comments
Remixes
xTool Supplies Used in This Template
xTool M1
xTool M1
3mm Basswood Plywood
3mm Basswood Plywood