SVG Toolpath Export for Glowforge

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figbash
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Joined: Tue Oct 13, 2020 1:52 am

SVG Toolpath Export for Glowforge

Post by figbash » Tue Oct 13, 2020 1:57 am

Hi, I'm trying to decide if I should buy QCAD/CAM or stick with the Pro version. I use a Glowforge laser cutter which uses vector SVGs rather than G-Code, but I would very much like to be able to use the toolpaths to compensate for kerf when I cut the same file on different materials with different kerfs.

Is it possible to output SVGs with the kerf compensation applied from QCAD/CAM, or is G-Code the only option? I tried the demo and couldn't find a way to do it.

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andrew
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Joined: Fri Mar 30, 2007 6:07 am

Re: SVG Toolpath Export for Glowforge

Post by andrew » Tue Oct 13, 2020 10:28 am

To compensate for kerf in SVG output / for Laser cutting, I'd typically use the Modify > Offset tool to create offset paths on a separate layer, then export that layer to SVG.

Toolpaths would also work, but might be a bit overkill as you usually wouldn't work with lead in / lead out, etc.

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