Software questions for "NewlyDraw"

[goddessofchaos]

If anyone out there has a laser running on NewlyDraw perhaps we can share experiences and questions. I am slowly figuring out how to use parts of the program but there are areas that stay greyed out that seem like they should work. I have only done some simple engraving and tried cutting thin wood but I am still not sure what I am doing. First wood piece I cut was 1/8" basswood and I set the beam close to the bottom of the wood (was later told this was wrong - set to top surface and adjust speed and power). The little circle I cut out was very nice though. I next tried to cut some other little pieces from same size basswood and it didn't cut all the way through so I set the power higher and tried other wood (didn't realize it was a bit thicker) and it only cut half way through. I know this is just a matter of settings but not sure just what adjustments to make.

Perhaps others can share and we can learn together.

Jacqui, Goddess of Chaos, gsolfot
Rabbit HX3040

[lamicron]

Hi Jacqui, post some photos of the software screen and mark the icons you want to know what are for, maybe i could tell .
Luis

[goddessofchaos]

Originally Posted by lamicron Hi Jacqui, post some photos of the software screen and mark the icons you want to know what are for, maybe i could tell . Luis

Luis - I have not been able to get a good photo because of the contrast - just not clear enough. I can figure out the icons and I have since yesterday found out where some screens were that I couldn't access before. I am still not totally clear on using this program but am able to do quite a bit with it anyway. Now I shall just continue to experiment with different settings and materials and will keep a notebook with what I did and the settings I used - I am sure I will become an expert LOL!

[lamicron]

Jacqui, try this: get a piece of 15mm MDF set the power at 90% ( try not to use the 100% power , that will be more life for the laser tube..) then set different speeds to cut 10, 20 and so on , you can see the deep of the cut , this way you can choose the speed depending on the thickness of the material, make the same test wit all the materials you are going to work
And , Yes thats the only way to become an expert. !!
Luis

[goddessofchaos]

Thank you for that little test idea. It is somewhat like I have been doing but I have been reluctant to crank up the power that far because I didn't think it was safe but I do have a "panic" button on the panel and that will stop everything. Also hitting the red laser button turns off the beam and I have had to do that a couple of times when the machine didn't do what I planned. I have started a notebook and have also been playing with learning the program. Biggest problem was that the graphics did not insert themselves into my first trial at saving them and I spent a good deal of time today getting a working set of instructions to my laptop in the form of a PDF with all the graphics. It now makes a lot more sense and I might be able to figure how to actually draw simple forms within the program! But it is much easier to just import.

If anyone else reads the instructions in NewlyDraw I can add that the files supported also include PNG which is portable network graphics and is very useful. In fact DXF did work but not nearly as well and I am much more comfortable doing graphics with Illustrator.

One other question and that is about raster vs. vector. I believe Photoshop is raster and Illustrator is vector? Is this correct? One is better for cutting and the other for engraving? I have tried to follow some of those threads but at the moment my brain is a bit soggy! Hilo rain and all! LOL

I am very sad that I will have to leave my new baby home while I travel for a month! It is quite addicting!

Jacqui, Goddess of Chaosl, gsolfot

[lamicron]

Jacqui, I dont know that Newly draw software you are working on, but for me the best to cut is corel 12, Try not to convert files from ilustrator to corel, some times the machine stops or get confused with that. I also use to raster from corel saving as .AI .
Isn't it sad that you cant put the machine in your car , so you could play with it while traveling?
Luis

[goddessofchaos]

Luis - NewlyDraw came with the laser and is a program written in China. It is the interface with the laser machine but it works very well with Adobe files. I don't have Corel and am used to working in Illustrator. I would have to take the machine on the plane across the ocean and across country and it is only slightly overweight for the baggage allowance. I will surely miss my new baby!

BTW I posted some photos in a different thread but here is the URL here as well - http://www.cnczone.com/gallery/showp...0/ppuser/64583

Jacqui, Goddess of Chaos, gsolfot

[fractaledge3]

Hi Jacqui,
Is there any help file or PDF with the software? if yes, attach it then I can give you some help

also is there any web sight for the software?

Osama

[goddessofchaos]

I have a pdf file for NewlyDraw and yesterday I clicked on every button I could and tried out every setting I could with the result that I learned a lot and there is still a lot that isn't covered in the instructions that came with the program but I posted the URL for the photos I took of yesterday's efforts and will repeat it here:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=...j&x=1&y=hbvk4c

I am finding this little machine truly amazing! Hope I can still feel this way 3-4 months from now!

Jacqui, Goddess of Chaos, gsolfot

[goddessofchaos]

I can't seem to copy the NewlyDraw program to a PDF file to post here. I tried to set up the program to cut and engrave in the same set (engrave words first, then cut around the piece) Whenever I go to the cut part it changes the position of the laser head and it doesn't cut where I expect it to. And I understand Frank has left for his vacation to cHina already! Now I am just hoping to find someone who has used this program and knows what to do. I revised the laser manual for Frank and hope to do the NewlyDraw manual once I figure it all out!

Jacqui, Goddess of Chaos,GSOLFOT
(who was well shaken yesterday and now awaits the rain from the edge of the hurricane!)

[fractaledge3]

Can you run the program as demo without the dongle, if it runs you can Zip it(right click on the setup folder then select send to compressed zipped folder) and attach it here

[goddessofchaos]

I will have to try and see if it can be zipped on the PC and then transferred to my Mac to send. I try not to connect the PC to the internet and don't have a good mail program associated with it. I am not sure what has happened but neither of 2 printers or scanners is working on my Mac at the moment and I haven't had time to trouble shoot why. It is surely a pain in the rear end!
Jacqui, Goddess of Chaos, GSOLFOT