AutoCAD 2008 has been deployed on College of Design Windows lab and cluster PCs, including the lasercutter workstations. These instructions have been updated to account for changes in the Plot dialog box.

A couple of important tips when cutting from AutoCAD:

• The lasercutter can produce unpredictable results when you've provided thick lineweights for your lines. Stick with "0.00" in whatever scale you're using.
• The lasercutter can cut differently, depending on settings that you assign to each line color. Make sure that you know what you want done with each line (i.e. should it be engraved, or scored, or cut out?).
• The machine reads information in the sequence of the AutoCAD color palette. Always select your scoring and engraving color(s) higher in the palette, and cutting colors lower down (see below for the color chart).

Taking the above items regarding colors into consideration, we recommend the following procedure for cutting and engraving:

1. Open your file in AutoCAD. The PC can access ClassStore, Transfer-Trash, your K:\ drive (if you open WolfCall), or any removable media your bring with you (CDs, floppy disks, Zip disks, USB keys, etc.).
2. AutoCAD 2008 has changed it's look slightly. To change the menus back to the appearance of previous version, you need to select the AutoCAD Classic theme in the View Drop Down menu, as shown below.
3. Check to see if all the lineweights are 0.00 mm (or 0.00 in whatever scale you're using). If you do not have lineweights set, the lasercutter will not see the path(s) you want cut. You can either set your lineweights in advance by layer, or hit "Select All" in the Edit menu, then use the Lineweight Control drop-down list to select 0.00.
4. Check to see if you have drawn over any line twice. All lines should be single lines.
5. Open the Plot menu, from the File menu.
6. Choose the Printer “Lasercutter.” If you see a "paper size" error, click "OK" to clear it.
7. Hit the “Properties” button on the right of the printer list.
8. In the window that appears, click on “Custom Properties." This should open the settings window for the lasercutter, initially showing the Laser Settings tab.
9. In this dialog box, you should see a variety of options for controlling speed and power settings for each of the primary colors. You apply speed and power settings on a per-color basis. Take note of the order of the colors on the side of the window (this is the order in which the lasercutter will process cutting lines):
   • Black (or white, depending on your background color)
   • Red
   • Green
   • Yellow
   • Blue
   • Magenta
   • Cyan
   • Orange
10. The machine can read vector and raster images. Each color has four options (raster/vector, raster, vector, skip). Keep the colors you are using on vector and keep all the other colors on skip. This is very important. This will enable the machine to sift through the document's information faster.
11. Click on the engraving color you are using and set the power, speed and PPI as per the speed settings chart. Hit on the “Set” button when you finish your settings for each color. If you do not, the window will forget your settings changes.
12. When you've set your speed and power settings, click on the Engraving Field tab.
13. Look about halfway down, and click on the "Maximum Page Size" button. This should cause the corresponding values to change to 32.000" x 18.000" (the full size of the cutting bed). This setting is necessary to insure that the machine will take advantage of its full cutting surface. Missing this setting could cause unexpected problems when you cut, such as a 0" x 0" paper size.
14. When you've finished with this window, click "OK." Click "OK" again. You may be prompted to save your temporary changes, in which case, allow it to temporarily save your settings. This will take you back to the main plot window. You may also opt to save your changes to a file, which you can re-use.
15. Use the small plot size window to verify that your dimensions are correct.
16. Use the "Plot area" box to select the area you wish to be cut (just like you would with one of the paper plotters in the IT Lab).
17. Make additional adjustments to your scale and/or paper offset in the "Plot scale" and "Plot offset" boxes, respectively. You can also click on the right-pointing arrow in the bottom corner, to reveal additional plotting settings.
18. Before sending the job to the lasercutter, click the "Preview..." button to make sure that your plot settings are correct, and the plot looks like what you were expecting. If changes need to be made, do so.
19. Click "OK" to send the job to the lasercutter. This will transfer your file and settings to the machine, which should cause information to be displayed on the control panel.
20. If your speed, power and PPI settings all read 0.00, your lineweights have not been changed to the required 0.00mm setting. Go back to your file, make this correction, then send your job again (you will have to input your settings again).
21. If everything is in order, hit the Start button on the control panel. The laser head will move out over your material and start working.

Some Tips to Remember

• As per the Usage Policies, you must watch the machine while it's cutting.
• If you are dissatisfied with the way the cut is progressing, or you need to step away from the cutter for a few moments, you can pause the machine by hitting the "Pause" button on the control panel.
• You can also resume by hitting the "Resume" button on the control panel.
• If you observe excessive sparking or flames from the material, lift the cover immediately. The head will continue on the cutting path for a few moments, but the laser will be off. The head will eventually return to its resting position.
• Do not be alarmed if the lasercutter does not immediately finish certain parts of a line. It is programmed to seek the most efficient way of cutting vector lines, so it will likely return to finish the line later in the cutting process.
• Once your cut is complete, the machine will beep twice and return to its resting position.
• Lift the cover. Pick up your material and clean the bed using the shop vacuum.