Here is yet another tutorial from FlashSolutions, this one is on the subject of using the Sharpie Marker to create mirror imaged artwork.

In the tutorial, I use Cambam and Sketchup to create the GCode because Sketchup does not have a decent pocket plugin.

Sketchup is a bit old school when it comes to handling offsets, so I have discovered I can achieve better results by using Cambam instead.

The project I picked for this tutorial is a Micro Flying Surfer Dude, for whom, Dude was replaced by none other than Bart Simpson.

The tutorial focuses on drawing Bart with a three color set of Sharpie Markers. We color both sides of Bart and cut out the finished artwork using our Phlatprinter CNC machine.

I had a difficult time getting the video made for some reason. It kept crashing my computer, so the tutorial is in two parts, otherwise, it would have all been contained in one video.

Here is part one....


And Part two....
Attached files

 

I did buy a copy of Meshcam which I will use for 3D meshes, but for simple line art tools, I prefer to use Cambam. Each program has its advantages and disadvantages. Sketchup comes close to having everything you need, but falls short on pocketing due to the handling of offsets.

Cambam has a trial version which I can install using Sandboxie (http://sandboxie.com/). When I am done with it, I can delete it and re-install later on to restore my trial. If I do end up using it often, I will purchase it, but for now, I am just experimenting with different tools to see what works best and for doing pockets, this works better than any other tool that I have found so far.

 

I have a pocket plugin for Sketchup. The problem is that it uses the offset tool of Sketchup which does a really poor job. Until the offset tool is made to work better, there is not much one can do short of manually creating pocket lines.

 

Ahhh! I did not know that. Maybe one of the Ruby Gurus can find a way to create a better pocket tool using Tims methods...