Shaper Origin and SVG files

[HowardH]

So I was green lighted this morning to get a Shaper Origin so I could build cutting boards for the wife's fellow employees with custom designs engraved.  So here's the question.  One of them is going to have a recipe engraved so can I make the text in Word, print to a PDF and then convert into a SVG so it can be uploaded in the SO?  Would it be better to get a copy of Fusion or Illustrator and create it there?  I know nothing about graphic design software so a steep learning curve is something I'm a bit concerned about.  Any better ideas?

 

[cider]

Until recently, I didn't have any experience with vector graphics software either.  I bought Affinity Designer because it's inexpensive and doesn't require a subscription, and turns out I like it quite a bit.  Whatever you go with, check the Shaper website for export parameters.  I did some head-scratching for a while, because the default SVG export from Affinity didn't scale correctly on the Shaper.  I haven't done any engraving, but I've done some illustrations with Affinity to learn the software, and I like the text tools it has.

I'm not setting the world on fire with Shaper projects, but here's some inlays I did on the shelves I'm currently working on:

[attachimg=1]

 

 

[HowardH]

Beautiful...

 

[nclemmons]

Howard -

Affinity Designer is a good inexpensive option.  Fusion does not handle Text very well.

You can just copy the text and then paste it into Infinity using the Text tool.  You do want to convert the text to an object as that is what you have to download to the Shaper Origin.  Under the layer menu of Affinity is a "convert to curves" option.  You want to have the font and size accurate before you do that as you then can no longer edit the text.  I'd just duplicate the text before converting to curves and then you can easily delete the object and edit or change fonts to get it visually like you like it.

There's a lot of discussion on the Shaper forum about text, font choices, etc.  I'd suggest you sign up there and read up.  Definitely practice on scrap wood with various font options as all fonts are actually outlines - so Shaper will want to follow the outline around the outside of each letter.  It's doable, but you'll want to practice first to get a clean cut.

There are also several discussions there on inlay / cutting boards and ways of filling with epoxy versus leaving it open.

It's a fun machine.  Don't get frustrated.  Just ask questions!  And experiment!

neil

 

[nclemmons]

[member=59550]cider[/member] - that's a great looking cabinet!  Nice book matching.  Tell us more about it!

 

[HowardH]

Howard -

Affinity Designer is a good inexpensive option.  Fusion does not handle Text very well.

You can just copy the text and then paste it into Infinity using the Text tool.  You do want to convert the text to an object as that is what you have to download to the Shaper Origin.  Under the layer menu of Affinity is a "convert to curves" option.  You want to have the font and size accurate before you do that as you then can no longer edit the text.  I'd just duplicate the text before converting to curves and then you can easily delete the object and edit or change fonts to get it visually like you like it.

There's a lot of discussion on the Shaper forum about text, font choices, etc.  I'd suggest you sign up there and read up.  Definitely practice on scrap wood with various font options as all fonts are actually outlines - so Shaper will want to follow the outline around the outside of each letter.  It's doable, but you'll want to practice first to get a clean cut.

There are also several discussions there on inlay / cutting boards and ways of filling with epoxy versus leaving it open.

It's a fun machine.  Don't get frustrated.  Just ask questions!  And experiment!

neil

I went and looked at one today at Rockler.  Very solid, well built machine.  Definitely a bit of a learning curve but a lot less than learning to do these kinds of things by hand. 

 

[nclemmons]

[member=1674]Peter Halle[/member] - Back at you on the shout-out!  Hope you are well and able to enjoy the holiday week.

 

[cider]

[member=59550]cider[/member] - that's a great looking cabinet!  Nice book matching.  Tell us more about it!

Thanks   It's part of a Cadovius style shelf system I made for the home office.  I'm hoping to finish it soon--I'll post in the project section when I do.

I went and looked at one today at Rockler.  Very solid, well built machine.  Definitely a bit of a learning curve but a lot less than learning to do these kinds of things by hand. 

I find Shaper's interface to be pretty intuitive, especially for a new product.  I think it's the first tool I bought without a specific task in mind--I just thought "that's really cool, I need that".

 

[HowardH]

Their website says that they partnered with Festool (who owns them) to develop the spindle.  Wonder if it's just a reconfigured OF1400? 

 

[Michael Kellough]

Their website says that they partnered with Festool (who owns them) to develop the spindle.  Wonder if it's just a reconfigured OF1400?

Not at all.