Shapes are vector images which can be generated in a computer program, or loaded off a disk or CD-ROM as clipart. Shapes can also be created by tracing a Bitmap in a drawing program (usually by making it un-editable and drawing new vector lines on top of it.) Shapes can also be borders, dingbats, calligraphic elements or any other object of decoration. Shapes can be used to cut out objects for things like state badges, heart or bone shaped pet tags, and any other object that is more complex than the standard rectangular shape. Any method for generating resources must create a vector image and any vector image is a shape.
Digitizing is using a special tablet for tracing artwork, which comes into the computer as a vector drawing. Digitizing can be very accurate, but requires purchasing a tablet and learning how to do the tracing. Digitizing needs very little clean up, but is time-consuming. Digitizing can produce the highest-quality results available with the possible exception of clip art.
Scanning is similar to digitizing in that you are taking an outside image and transferring it into the computer. Scanned images come into the computer in a Bitmap format, and so need to be put through a vectorizing program, to be converted into an engravable form. Scanning is quicker and easier than digitizing, but the hardware is more expensive and the vectorized artwork may need additional clean-up.
Fonts are pre-generated letters (and occasionally pictures in the form of a font) which can be easily placed in the same way as normal text. While your layout software can place text and fonts, sometimes it is necessary to create logos or designs using type that is not possible within your engraving software. Creating distorted or oddly-positioned type is best done in illustration programs such as you would for shapes, and then exporting into your layout software.
The resources you put into your engraving software can affect the appearance of your work, and can add a great deal of attraction (including company logos, creative borders, interesting clip art, etc.).
Layout and design
Once your elements are created, bring them into your engraving layout software. Tell the computer all the job-specific options (plate size, file name, etc.), then place your text and graphic resources into your job. Once your plate is created and your objects are positioned, you can select any special options such as serialization, multiples or columnize and then send it to your engraving controller. Engraving software gives you creativity options. High quality engraving software gives a wide variety of layout options, set forth in a simple and quick to use method.
Processing
Your engraving controller takes the information from your layout software and translates it into a form your engraving machine can understand. The controller allows manipulation of all the important factors including speed, depth, pausing, the home position and other important features. The engraving controller is the brain of your engraving machine. A high quality engraving controller affects the number of options, variations and possible actions your engraver can perform and can affect the accuracy of your engraver.
Engraving
The engraving machine receives information from the controller on how to move the cutting tool into and around the engraving job. The engraver utilizes this information and uses motors to move the X and Y axis and the spindle, raising of lowering the spindle. While very accurate, the engraving machine can only follow the instructions given to it by the engraving controller. Combined with a good controller the results can be very impressive.
Layout and design
Once your elements are created, bring them into your engraving layout software. Tell the computer all the job-specific options (plate size, file name, etc.), then place your text and graphic resources into your job. Once your plate is created and your objects are positioned, you can select any special options such as serialization, multiples or columnize and then send it to your engraving controller. Engraving software gives you creativity options. High quality engraving software gives a wide variety of layout options, set forth in a simple and quick to use method.
Processing
Your engraving controller takes the information from your layout software and translates it into a form your engraving machine can understand. The controller allows manipulation of all the important factors including speed, depth, pausing, the home position and other important features. The engraving controller is the brain of your engraving machine. A high quality engraving controller affects the number of options, variations and possible actions your engraver can perform and can affect the accuracy of your engraver.
Engraving
The engraving machine receives information from the controller on how to move the cutting tool into and around the engraving job. The engraver utilizes this information and uses motors to move the X and Y axis and the spindle, raising of lowering the spindle. While very accurate, the engraving machine can only follow the instructions given to it by the engraving controller. Combined with a good controller the results can be very impressive.
