Tutorial: Laser Cutting From Solidworks
by echang777 in Workshop > Laser Cutting
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Tutorial: Laser Cutting From Solidworks
![intro.JPG](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FV5/YS67/HUVPR9L9/FV5YS67HUVPR9L9.jpg&filename=intro.JPG)
This tutorial outlines the process of getting parts from Solidworks to cut on Universal laser cutters.
Load Your Part in Solidworks
![01.JPG](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FKO/8TRA/HUVPR7YD/FKO8TRAHUVPR7YD.jpg&filename=01.JPG)
Make a Drawing From the Part
![Screenshot 2014-05-06 19.25.54 (2).jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FTU/23CV/HUVPR7YE/FTU23CVHUVPR7YE.jpg&filename=Screenshot 2014-05-06 19.25.54 (2).jpg)
![Screenshot 2014-05-06 19.26.28 (2).jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FBP/9OO5/HUVPR7YJ/FBP9OO5HUVPR7YJ.jpg&filename=Screenshot 2014-05-06 19.26.28 (2).jpg)
The document size does not matter. To make things easier on yourself, be sure to de-select the "Display Sheet Format" option.
Add the Desired View, and Set Scale to 1:1
![Screenshot 2014-05-06 19.26.55 (2).jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F0R/HBKF/HUVPR7YK/F0RHBKFHUVPR7YK.jpg&filename=Screenshot 2014-05-06 19.26.55 (2).jpg)
This step is very critical. If the scale is not set correctly, your part will not cut at the right size.
Save the File As a .AI, and Open in Adobe Illustrator
![Screenshot 2014-05-06 19.27.15 (2).jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FLJ/JQP0/HUVPR7YP/FLJJQP0HUVPR7YP.jpg&filename=Screenshot 2014-05-06 19.27.15 (2).jpg)
![Screenshot 2014-05-06 19.28.47 (2).jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FVZ/S5AC/HUVPR7YS/FVZS5ACHUVPR7YS.jpg&filename=Screenshot 2014-05-06 19.28.47 (2).jpg)
Copy the Part to a New Document
![Screenshot 2014-05-06 19.29.05 (2).jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FKG/Z3OY/HUVPR7ZQ/FKGZ3OYHUVPR7ZQ.jpg&filename=Screenshot 2014-05-06 19.29.05 (2).jpg)
![Screenshot 2014-05-06 19.32.28 (2).jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F86/IJY2/HUVPR82E/F86IJY2HUVPR82E.jpg&filename=Screenshot 2014-05-06 19.32.28 (2).jpg)
Set the document size to the cut area of the laser cutter. Check to make sure the color mode is RGB.
Release Compound Path, and Join Paths
![Screenshot 2014-05-06 19.29.31 (2).jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FSW/0MQH/HUVPR7ZV/FSW0MQHHUVPR7ZV.jpg&filename=Screenshot 2014-05-06 19.29.31 (2).jpg)
![Screenshot 2014-05-06 19.29.51 (2).jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F16/AT1F/HUVPR80D/F16AT1FHUVPR80D.jpg&filename=Screenshot 2014-05-06 19.29.51 (2).jpg)
Solidworks applies a compound path to the entire part. Release it, then join continuous sections of your part.
Compensate for the Laser Kerf Using Offset Path
![Screenshot 2014-05-06 19.30.36 (2).jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FH6/PBLL/HUVPR80P/FH6PBLLHUVPR80P.jpg&filename=Screenshot 2014-05-06 19.30.36 (2).jpg)
![Screenshot 2014-05-06 19.30.47 (2).jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FPY/Z4TV/HUVPR816/FPYZ4TVHUVPR816.jpg&filename=Screenshot 2014-05-06 19.30.47 (2).jpg)
Select all outer paths, and apply the desired offset. For most Universal lasers I've used on material 1/8" or less, I set a kerf of 0.003". Set the miter limit to something large- I typically use 50.
Select the inner paths, and apply a negative offset. In this case, -0.003".
Delete Original Paths
![Screenshot 2014-05-06 19.31.16 (2).jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F3S/7YN0/HUVPR817/F3S7YN0HUVPR817.jpg&filename=Screenshot 2014-05-06 19.31.16 (2).jpg)
Zoom in, and delete the original paths
Applied Desired Stroke Color
![Screenshot 2014-05-06 19.31.37 (2).jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FPL/GE2R/HUVPR81Y/FPLGE2RHUVPR81Y.jpg&filename=Screenshot 2014-05-06 19.31.37 (2).jpg)
![Screenshot 2014-05-06 19.32.39 (2).jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FZL/35I7/HUVPR82F/FZL35I7HUVPR82F.jpg&filename=Screenshot 2014-05-06 19.32.39 (2).jpg)
Select your part, and create a new swatch under stroke.
For most Universal laser cutters, R255 G0 B0 indicates a vector cut. Use whatever your cutter requires.
Cut!
Now, you can launch the print driver to send the cut to the laser cutter.