IllustratorIllustrator is a software that we use in IDEA to design and create different objects, to be sent to a laser. The laser carves, engraves, and cuts out designs that we have created. These designs are being made on different material at the laser, so at the end of this process we have what we created in our hands. Illustrator is a fun way to let creative designs become real objects.
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Projects in Illustrator
Keychain Step by Step Process
The next thing I did was, I selected the Shape Button to make the figure of my keychain. I choose a rectangle, and this rectangle has to be able to fit in the dimensions we made in out template from step one. I also rounded off the edges of my rectangle so when it gets cut out by laser they are not as sharp. But this is optional.
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Next I add a 0.2in wide circle to the keychain, for the chain to go through when its cut out in laser. Make sure the circle isn't too close to the edge. And you can add text or writing to the keychain. I decided to add my first letter of my name, with part of my last name. Also, the stroke needs to be changed on the circle. To do this click on the shape, go to properties, change the color to RBG red, and change the stroke size to 0.0001.
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Final Images of Cut Out Keychain
Vinyl Decal
The Decal I made is going to be created in Illustrator. After I make my Illustrator file with my decal on it, it gets sent to the Vinyl Cutter. The vinyl cutter will cut out the deal. Then I use something with a flat edge to flatten and stick the deal onto what I want it to be on. Below is going to be the basic step by step process of making this Vinyl Decal.
The first thing I needed to do was open Illustrator, and make a create a new project. I choose the size of my workspace, and now I can start making my decal design.
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This next step shows my progress of my decal design in Illustrator. I have completed all the steps from the class handout, and now I can save this project as an illustrator file. Now it's ready to take to the vinyl cutter and make the decal.
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Next I use the vinyl cutter to put my decal from Illustrator on Vinyl. There are a few simple steps we need to complete on the vinyl cutter, and after that its ready to cut our my decal. After it puts the design of my decal on the vinyl I can start the next step.
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One of the last things I did before I can put the decal on something is I needed to "weed" it. Weeding is the technical term for this process but its easy to think of the decal as a garden. My design is the flowers and the other stuff is the weeds, and I need to take the weeds out of the garden. The first image above is my name on the vinyl, but it's hard to see. Then I started weeding and the second image shows my name. In the third image I did the final part of the weeding which was to take the sections of vinyl of of centers of letters. I used a dental tool for all of the weeding.
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The final thing I did before putting my decal on my xbox was I needed to put the decal on Transfer Tape. Having it on transfer tape allows me to take only the letters and stick the decals on something of my choice. To make sure the letters are on the transfer tape I will use a squeegee to apply pressure to make the letters transfer over. Now I can safely take my decal home and attach it to my xbox. When I'm home I will need to do a similar thing to make sure the letters stick to my xbox. I will need a flat edge like a credit card to apply pressure for the decals to stick to my xbox. ( It's hard to see the transfer tape but trust me it's there.)
And this is a final Image of my vinyl decal on my Xbox. These decals can go on almost any flat surface, and I thought putting it on my Xbox was a good option because I would see it more than on a notebook or something of that sort.
Final Thoughts About Illustrator
In this Illustrator unit I simply learned how to use a new software. I have never used Illustrator in my life. Our class step by step directions for the Keychain made it easy for me to learn this software and complete my project. I enjoy the fact you can take images from the internet and engrave them into designs. I also learned how to use the laser in school. That laser was a quick and easy way to make our designs on Illustrator engraved into acrylic. Very interesting. Another thing I learned was how to use the vinyl cutter. I have never used let alone seen on of these in my life. I thought it was a cool was to make decals for personal use. Illustrator was a fun software to use, and I hope to use it again.