Change kerf-offset in InkScape for lasercutting

Aard Koene

11 May, 2024 07:16 PM

Magic spell to post process svg or other drawings for lasercutting kerf

1. Step 1: Change kerf-offset in InkScape for lasercutting, by A Koene.

   == To be freely distributed in opensource communities. ==

   Thx to ‘ragistan’ on https://alpha.inkscape.org/vectors/www.inkscapeforum.com/viewtopic8101.html?t=18634

   My situation:

   -From Freecad 0.21, export Shape2DView’s as ‘Autodesk 2D .dxf’.

   -Open in InkSkape 1.3.

2. Step 2: Prepairations

   -Set Stroke style > Width to ‘Hairline’.

   ...

   -menu > Path > Combine [ctrl][k] to get one path for each item:

   

   
   

   Result is a combined path (Afterwards, you can ‘Break apart’ if you want)

   

   - Node Tools > Edit path by nodes [n]

   

   You see:

   

   -In tree, select all combined items to be given an offset:

   

   -Select all nodes (!!) with [ctrl][a]. You see blue indicators:

   

   –Join selected nodes [shift][j]

   

   (An invisible change is applied to the selected items! Or???)

   
   

   
   

3. Step 3: Apply Kerf Offset

   -For offsetting, selection of only 1 path, shape, clone or Group is permitted.

   - menu > Path > Path Effects… [ctrl][&], ‘Add live path effect”: Offset

   

   - Change Offset as you whish.

   (Negative for other side/direction. For lasercutten: kerf / 2 ?)

   

   
   

   -Change colors of the result-paths, etc.

   -Save as .dxf R14.

   
   

   -If you get this, then you didn’t select all nodes with [ctrl][a] before ‘Join selected nodes’.