Engraving Alder

To laser engrave and cut out objects using your vector tray, follow these steps. If you have any trouble following these instructions, check out the tutorial videos to get filled in on some of the steps.

Start with an existing PGD file. Additionally I will get some sample files posted on this site.

Delete all the information on the screen on both the 1st and 2nd layer.

On layer 2, draw a rectangle and change the size to 4.5 inches by 12 inches (this matches the size of the alder you are engraving on - unless you use a different size alder piece)

Move that design to the upper left hand corner of the screen being careful not to be off the material.

On layer one create your design.

Start with the outline, draw a shape and change the color to red, and set the red to vector (did I lose you? Better check out the videos).

Size the shape to the size you want.

Now create the design in black and place inside the shape. Could be text, clip art, a logo or any combination.

When you are happy with the one design, feel free to copy and paste as many as you can fit into that rectangle shape you drew on layer 2.

When you are ready to laser, do a quick check and remove the checkmark on the bottom of the screen - this will show you exactly what you are sending to the laser.

Click the laser button.

Make sure the auto focus is on and the z-up is set to an inch or more.

Change the power on the color black to 100 and the speed to 75.

Change the power on the color red to 100 and the speed to 20 and the number of passes to 2.

Put the vector tray in the laser with the two strips of wood underneath it.

Set the alder on top in the upper left hand corner.

Send your job to the laser.

Hit run! (Be sure to keep and eye on your job in case a setting was missed)