Adobe Illustrator is a graphic-driven software made for creating mostly vector graphics. It is used to create logos, graphics, cartoons. When using this software it allows you to use pictures from the internet and separate the colors in the picture of crop out backgrounds that you don't want.
Laser Engraver
Step by Step Instructions for using the laser.
1.)Open Illustrator on computer
2.)Design a drawing and then save file to flash drive
3.)Open the file on the computer connected to the laser in the Innovation Center
4.)Then select File-Print-VLS6.60-Setup-Prefrences
5.)Under the Materials tab select-Plastic-Acrylic-Extruded Acrylic-Then hit "Okay"
6.)Open UPC software from desktop controlling laser
7.)Next turn on the laser and exhaust (switch on wall)
8.)Put material in laser that your gonna cut
9.)Use the focus and relocation tool to adjust where its going to print, make sure it stays on material
10.)Press the large green play button to start the cutting
1.)Open Illustrator on computer
2.)Design a drawing and then save file to flash drive
3.)Open the file on the computer connected to the laser in the Innovation Center
4.)Then select File-Print-VLS6.60-Setup-Prefrences
5.)Under the Materials tab select-Plastic-Acrylic-Extruded Acrylic-Then hit "Okay"
6.)Open UPC software from desktop controlling laser
7.)Next turn on the laser and exhaust (switch on wall)
8.)Put material in laser that your gonna cut
9.)Use the focus and relocation tool to adjust where its going to print, make sure it stays on material
10.)Press the large green play button to start the cutting
Picture of key chain after being cut out.
Vinyl
Step by Step Instructions for Applying A Vinyl Decal
1.)Open Illustrator
2.)Type name and choose desired size and font
3.)Print vinyl and cut out section with name
4.)Peel back access vinyl with scraper tool
5.) Go back and remove all small peices of vinyl between letters
6.)Place tape on top of vinyl and press it with tool (Use elbow grease to make sure it stay on)
7.)Peel back tape slowly and make sure your name is sticking to the tape
8.)Place tape on desired spot of designer notebook
9.)Press onto designer notebook
10.)Peel back tape and the vinyl should stick to your notebook
1.)Open Illustrator
2.)Type name and choose desired size and font
3.)Print vinyl and cut out section with name
4.)Peel back access vinyl with scraper tool
5.) Go back and remove all small peices of vinyl between letters
6.)Place tape on top of vinyl and press it with tool (Use elbow grease to make sure it stay on)
7.)Peel back tape slowly and make sure your name is sticking to the tape
8.)Place tape on desired spot of designer notebook
9.)Press onto designer notebook
10.)Peel back tape and the vinyl should stick to your notebook
Picture of vinyl decal on designer notebook.
While using illustrator I learned that you can create many things and then use either the laser engraver or vinyl cutter to actually bring your design to life. Also I learned that when choosing an image that you want to vinyl cut you can choose just about any image and then separate the colors in illustrator. I also learned that it can be challenging sometimes when you have to keep setting up the vinyl cutter with different colors, but definitely pays in the end.