Infinity Heart DXF Design

[djreiswig]

Another friend saw the heart, so now I got the chance to try this again. Took most of the afternoon, but I think I finally got it.

Mitch.JPG

Infinity Heart Mitch.svg

[ROKCRLER]

Looks good...if you go to nice editor, you can adjust the curves to flow a tad smoother/adjust the width of e part between the names.

[djreiswig]

Guessing you meant node editor. They were happy with the first one, so I'm not going to spend time smoothing the curves this time.

[ROKCRLER]

Yes, node editor, autocorrect got be.
Not arguing, but just because they liked the other one, which I didn't fully fix, there's no reason to not improve the designs or possibly make different variations... That's how we improve and learn...

[djreiswig]

He wanted it just like the other one. I might clean it up a little bit Incase I have to make a third one. This one cut okay. I'm sure he will be happy. I struggled with inkscape quite a bit, but working in normal mode helped me see that I didn't have the paths differenced correctly at one point. I also learned to draw a rectangle and difference it to cut the main path. Lots easier than moving nodes. I appreciate your help.

[ROKCRLER]

I also draw rectangle or shapes to difference instead of deleting / moving nodes.. it's faster and cleaner.

Post up wherever issues you're having we'll get you up to speed

A Zoom or Teams or whatever meeting can be arranged if you'd like.

[djreiswig]

Thanks. I think I just need more practice. I'll post back if I run into trouble. I also need to watch some of the great tutorials linked here.

[adbuch]

Here is an example of drawing a new shape, then using the Difference tool to quickly replace part of the curve needing smoothing.
As Rokcrler said, this is faster than manual node editing and can give a better cleaner result.
David

bezier 1.jpg

bezier 2.jpg

bezier 3.jpg

[adbuch]

I played around with it and did a little bit more smoothing, mainly using the node editing. Here is what I came up with. This is actually very relaxing to do. It could probably use a little bit more fine tuning, but I think it is OK.
David

Infinity Heart Mitch smoother.svg image 1.jpg

Infinity Heart Mitch smoother.svg image.jpg

Infinity Heart Mitch smoother.svg

[djreiswig]

I cut it last night and he was happy when I brought it to him this morning.

[ROKCRLER]

Here is what I was suggesting as far as smoothing, arching, etc.

Infinity Heart Mitch_Cleaned.svg

[adbuch]

Here is what I was suggesting as far as smoothing, arching, etc.



Infinity Heart Mitch_Cleaned.svg

Rokcrler - you really thinned it down. I like what you did with the connection points for the names.
And only 335 nodes as well. Nice work!!
David

difference.jpg

[ROKCRLER]

Thanks David!

[ROKCRLER]

Thanks David!

Edit:
Sorry I was in the middle of a cut.
I thinned the intersecting lines so they would flow a bit better, i also thinned up the connecting points where the names join and smoothed out the curves and removed unneeded nodes to smooth out the file.

Id like to see how this one cuts in comparison to the last file, if DJ would like to.

[adbuch]

Depending on his software, it may very well cut smoother (machine jerkyness wise) due to the elimination of excess nodes. And of course the final result (cut part) will also be smoother and more attractive due to the thinning, name mods, and overall smoothing of the curves. What was the main way you smoothed the curves? Difference tool or?
Thanks,
David

[ROKCRLER]

I don't have doubts his machine being a StarLab would have issues cutting smoothly, I've just found that clean files cut smoothly.
I did find out tonight that i may have screwed up by thinning the middle line.. it looked odd to me, but all the images i found tonight have the wide crossing line... oh well..

Here is how i smoothed out the lines in his file.

Infinity Heart Mitch.JPG

I learned to go around and delete nodes that don't make sense and adjust the curves with the handles and some smoothing buttons at the top.

One huge think ive learned from those that sell files and art pieces, RobinHillMachine and BadDogMetalworks mainly is that over abundance of nodes equates to some choppiness especially on thin materials.
I've cut pieces out of 22ga with crisp lines simply by cleaning up my files.

I have cut the same file one with about 3000 nodes and then the same file reduced to about 1225 nodes and it made a huge difference... here is the file after cleaning and assembly. https://plasmaspider.com/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=31300
Even after going over all the stray nodes.... I missed one and well... i learned to triple check

Oops.JPG

[djreiswig]

Unfortunately, I only need to cut one of these. And, I think the wide area of the infinity is supposed to represent a twist. All of the things I've seen cut have the wide by and narrow areas. I kinda like how it looks.
I'll try to clean this file up some more if I get any more requests for signs.
Thanks for everyone's help with this.

[adbuch]

Rokcrler - thanks for that tip! Now that you mention it I do remember seeing Bad Dog Metalworks doing a demo video on deleting unwanted nodes to clean up a file. I was thinking that it was more for smooth cuts (not choppy machine action) as opposed to smoothing the drawing. He was working on lettering and such that looked the same after he deleted the nodes as before he started. In this case, deleting the nodes is a quick and easy way to get rid of the choppy edges in this particular infinity heart file.

I took another stab at it and I think it came out pretty well. I tried the make selected nodes smooth tool, but it didn't seem to have any effect. So I only used it once with this one. I have no reason to cut this particular file, but going thru the motions with the editing is a great learning experience.

David

another try.jpg

[adbuch]

Unfortunately, I only need to cut one of these. And, I think the wide area of the infinity is supposed to represent a twist. All of the things I've seen cut have the wide by and narrow areas. I kinda like how it looks.
I'll try to clean this file up some more if I get any more requests for signs.
Thanks for everyone's help with this.

I agree that the wide area of the infinity looks better wide and is supposed to look like a twist as you say. We will look forward to seeing your finished cut product.
David

[adbuch]

Here is another take on the Infinity Heart that looks interesting. This one was posted to one of the Plasmacam Facebook groups.
David

infinity heart purple.jpg

[Dirtmotor]

Wow , Thanks for a very interesting read and some really good pointers , I am still taking baby steps with inkscape, and actually all the programs but am all ready addicted !

[adbuch]

Wow , Thanks for a very interesting read and some really good pointers , I am still taking baby steps with inkscape, and actually all the programs but am all ready addicted !

Let us know if you have any specific questions and we will try to help you. Keep up the good work!
David

[djreiswig]

Here's the final sign.

edited_IMG_20220927_113624992.jpg

[adbuch]

Nice work!! I'm sure they will be very happy with it. What thickness did you cut it from? It's amazing how the details from the drawing translate directly to the finished cut part. This was a great learning experience for me, and perhaps others as well.
David

[djreiswig]

16ga. That's usually what I cut my art stuff out of.