Convert Inkscape SVG vector graphics files to ILDA with OLA *retardo
Inkscape is a great free drawing tool with vector graphics editing capabilities similar to Corel Draw. Now you can use it to easily create your own and original laser frames! If you need birds, just draw birds or use Inkscape's bitmap tracer to trace some. If you need that special frame but you're tired of point by point manipulation, use Inkscape as a TRUE vector art drawing tool!
Get it at
www.inkscape.org
So how does it work?
First of all this tool works for everyone! Indeed only QM2000 and Easylase users can view the art through projection as they tweak the conversion settings but you don't have to. Once written to an ILDA file every laserist should be able to us it.
Features:
* svg path optimazation
* intelligent point placement
* color gradients support
* converts multiple SVG layers into multiple ILDA frames for animations
* easy reload button to quickly reload a SVG file after changes
* instant laser output
* SVG animation playback
* comes with original new laser graphics in SVG format
Download here:
http://www.amelink.net/lasergl/PL/
Here is a quick getting started guide, if not clear ask here.
After unzipping it somewhere on your HD:
Step 1)
QM2000 users go to the bottom right panel with the sliders and load the settingsQM2000.ous file. This sets the laser graphics engine up to be as transparent as possible so the QM2000 setting take effect. You may need to go to the 'geo' tab to flip the x or y axis. You will also have to set the speed to the desired setting. You can save these settings to a file for later retrieval. Settings are automatically stored upon exit.
Easylase users, you need to setup the laser graphics engine through the sliders in the bottom right panel - for an accurate live view. The settings you see are for my projector but probably won't work for you. Load the `calibrate.svg' file in the left panel. You will see a grid that should fade from white to gray. You will probably see colors on an RGB projector. The idea is to tweak the sliders for each laser under the R,G and B tabs to create perfect white balance.
For each laser: set the 'blank' slider just below the lasing threshold. Set the 'min' slider just above the lasing threshold. Set the 'max' slider at the max. Use the RGB tab's sliders to get a good white balance at the bright end of the grid. Use the 'lin' (linearity) slider for each laser to compensate for non-linear modulation curves. You probably need to do this in a number of iterations. A very good white balance should be possible. Also set speed to the desired value. Under the 'set' tab play with the color shift value, should be around 1, 2, 3 for 15, 24,and 30 kpps.You can save these settings to a file for later retrieval. Settings are automatically stored upon exit. I suggest you overwrite the settings_xxk.ous files with settings tweaked for your projector. Each file stores settings for the xx target scanning speed.
Other DAC users, you can ignore the bottom right panel.
Step 2)
Load any svg file you like. Choose your target scan speed, e.g., 24k. In the 'conversion settings' panel load the 'conversion_24k.cnv' file. Set scan speed to 24kpps or load your laser output settings file configured for 24kpps (Easylase users). This should give you some generic settings I found work well with the provided SVG files. The 'Conversions settings' panel allows tweaking of the conversion parameter. Hit the reload button after making changes.
* Sort runs: sorts the drawing objects to optimize blanking. 200 is a good value.
* Blank, base curve, and max spacing sets the default spacing between points. Higher values = less points.
* The dwell parameters set the number of anchor points for open curves. Higher values = less points.
* Curve and corner sensitivity at the cost of more points.
* Point pulling is a special addition. It does not add points, it just pronounces curves by pulling points outwards. The converted graphic may look funny on the computer screen but improves the scanner output(!).
* Overlap applies to closed curves: set the number of overlapping points to hide beginnings and ends.
Laser output is activated with the '-*' button (representing an ASCII laser symbol). Look for the trade-off between number of points / flickering and graphic quality.
Step 3) when happy with the result write to ILDA.
So, here it is! *retardo I believe this is yet the best of my proggies. Have fun with it!
