How to use VisiCut with Inkscape

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This tutorial explains how to create SVG files with Inkscape that have different layers. The files are optimized for lasercutting with VisiCut.
You can skip the first step if you download this template file and jump to the last step (Draw and Save):
Inkscape Template for VisiCut (five layers)

Prepare Inkscape

Create a new document. Add five new layers by using the menu entry Layer->Add Layer

One layer has to be called Cut Line, the second one has to be called Engraved Line and the others: Engrave Drawing, Engrave Photo, and Engrave 3D

If you want to see all available layers, use the menu entry Layer->Layers

Draw and Save

Now you can draw any objects to the five layers. Objects that are supposed to be cut have to be drawn on the Cut Line layer. If you want to engrave a line, using the vector mode of the laser (quick movement, good for lines, bad for filled areas), put it in the layer Engraved Line. If you want to engrave a drawing, a photo, or a 3D shape, put the object in the corresponding Engrave Drawing, Engrave Photo, or Engrave 3D layer. Keep in mind: Cut Line and Engraved Line are for vector paths only! They should only be used with shapes that have a stroke color and no fill. The "Engrave" modes need to have shapes with no stroke, but a dark fill color. "Engrave Photo" is perfect for jpg or bmp pictures.

Save the file in the Inkscape SVG file format

Open the SVG file with VisiCut

For the next step, go to the second part of this tutorial: How to open files with cut and engrave layers with VisiCut

Attachments:
File	Description	File size	Downloads	Last modified
cut_and_engrave_inkscape.svg	Inkscape Template for cut and engrave with VisiCut	2 kB	1638	2012-06-08 19:55
InkscapeForVisiCutTemplate.svg	Inkscape Template for VisiCut (five layers)	2 kB	2144	2012-06-09 16:44