What is Illustrator?
Illustrator is a 2-D software program that lets you take any shapes/images and either cut out or engrave a wide variety of materials. Unlike other programs, Illustrator uses vector images rather than pixelate images, in which it creates lines around the shapes in either red to cut or black to engrave. Also the lines are flawlessly smooth instead of being pixelated because of it requiring vector images. It can be applied to many different applications, like either a laser, vinyl cutter, etc.
Illustrator File PictureThis is what my final keychain would look like after cutting out/engraving. I had to change my original images because putting it as a vector image, the lines didn't snap to the outline of the image right so it looked like blocks letters instead of a Bucky Badger. Just be careful and adjustable of what image you choose because the software might not agree with it.
|
Illustrator Pictures
This is the final picture of the Illustrator file, but I had modified it a bit as I moved some things around to get it more centered.
|
This is what the file would look like on the UCP app after I uploaded the file to it. After uploading the file, I had to position it correctly so thay the laser would be able to engrave/cut out the key chain right.
|
This is the key chain about 1/2 of the way through laser engraving.
Final Product of Key Chain
VINYL DECAL
After inputting your file for the vinyl cutter, you need to remove any access material so that you are left with exactly what you want. The outside of it was easy to remove, but if you have small portions in in the middle of the o or the a, then a tool with a small pick on the end would work great for it as it makes it a lot easier to peal back the material.
After thoroughly applying the adhesive tape to your vinyl decal, it should look like this. You can then very carefully tear the adhesive tape off of the plastic, which should bring the vinyl decal with it. If parts of the decal peel off or stay on when they are not supposed to, lay it back down and use the squeegee to try and get the vinyl to stick back.
|
This is the tool I used to apply the application tape to the vinyl decal. It is called a squeegee and you use it to apply pressure to the tape in order to get it to stick to the tape.
|
Final Product of the Application of the Decal
Final Summary
What I have learned from this portion of IDEA is how many different applications Illustrator can be used in. I also learned how to use the vinyl cutter and what vinyl really is and how it works, but I also learned more about how to use Illustrator/Laser to either cut or engrave my projects. I really enjoyed this unit because I got to make some cool things, like the key chain, as I love how intricate the software can go.