continuous vectoring 2

[rodoftex]

I use Corel primarily for laser engraving. My problem is that the engraver apparently performs the vectoring in the sequence that the design was done.ei, during the design or layout of an object the designer will draw a line segment here and another there until the design is complete. When this is sent to the engraver the laser head will jump back and forth in the same sequence as the design was done. This takes a lot of extra time and wear and tear on parts as the head jumps around. Is there some way to tell the corel program to construct these line segments in a way that the engraver will see a continuous line and the vectoring will be continuous rather than darting here and there to complete an object? Weld? Combine?

 

[attrofy]

I used to have a rotary engraver that would do the same thing. There were two work arounds. The first was the engraver was in a native language, and depending on my export functions (I believe it was really a print function with a selected printer) it would change based on which printer I chose. Secondly, there was a third party software that would smoth these nodes, and try and allow the printhead to move as continuously as possible. It turned out to be a really simple fix, something as little as no comma or something in the final file (which indicated a "pen up"). I believe combining as many lines together into a continuous object will help reduce that, but since this is over 12 years ago, technology and languages ahve changed. I would begin looking into the magazine A&E (Awards and Engraving if it is still around) or some other trade magazine to find a "node reducing" program or plugin. Depending on your version, you could also select everything in the final layout, use the Shape Tool (or Node editing tool) and select Reduce Nodes from the Dialogue bar. As I recall, it was the nodes that seemed to cause the most "pen ups".

 

[FYRGUY]

Just a thought...
Under the object manager docker, re-arrange the order to your liking. This may not be the absolute fix, however, can be very effective to minimize travel on the laser head. The laser will vector in the order from top to bottom on the list. Hope this helps...

Chris