Adobe Illustrator CS Setup - Page Sizing for Laser Engraving

Adobe Illustrator is a popular program for general graphic use.   Illustrator has performed well for engraving, but has had problems with exporting segmented curves during vector cutting.   

 Adobe Illustrator CS has recently been released.   With this new version, Illustrator can now be used for high quality vector cutting as well as engraving provided that you use a workaround to compensate for the fact that llustrator has problems with landscape page orientation.   

Read these notes carefully…

1. Install ULS Print Driver Vision 107M or later.
2. Set A.I. page to square 32” X 32” for an X/X2 machines or square 24” X 24” on M/V machines and do not engrave below the bottom of the table (12” on M, 18” on V or X).
3. Set the laser engraver page size to 24” X 24” or 32” X 32” depending on the machine.  In our tests, we ran the laser in Landscape mode with Illustrator in Portrait mode. 

 The following procedure must be followed in order to make the vectors work:

1.  Start an Illustrator CS document
2. Set the fill color to None, select a stroke (line) color from the ULS color palette, set the stroke weight to 0.001 points (something previous Adobe version screens wouldn’t allow you to do) and draw the shape you want to cut.
3. Set the transparency flattener preferences so it favors the creation of vectors over rasters.  Better yet - don’t draw things that are transparent since they really have no place in a ULS plotter environment).
4. Interact with AI CS’s color management and print ink conversion controls (e.g, spot to process conversion) in such a manner as to mimic a historical, 1:1 (in:out), uncalibrated, spot color environment
5. Print with ”Print as Bitmap” unchecked (the default).   This selection is via a checkbox in the File->Print->Advanced).

 You should now be ready to engrave and cut with your laser.