What is Illustrator
Illustrator is a software unlike Inventor which uses 3D to make objects, Illustrator uses 2D to make the objects you wish. Also it uses vectors instead of pixels so you can make the picture or image as large as you want it without distorting it. Also this is the software that lets you use the files you make and move them to the laser engraver. If you use red lines the laser knows to cut all the way through and any other color just means its engraving. Illustrator is also uses for the vinyl cutter and making the decals.
Using the Laser (UCP)
1. Transfer your Illustrator file to a flash drive
2. Take your flash drive to the UCP
3. Get the file downloaded on to the UCP
4. Select your file from the UCP (Figure 1)
5. Then go to settings and select the material you are using, I'm using plastics (Figure 2)
6. Then choose the specific type of material, I'm using acrylic (Figure 3)
7. Then finally choose the actual type of materiel, I'm using extruded acrylic (Figure 4)
8. Then measure your material and put in the thickness into material thickness (Figure 5)
9. Finally hit apply and OK to go to the final steps (Figure 6)
10. Then go to the preview screen and locate your image on the laser so it is on your material and press the green "play" button and close the door turn the vent on and wait for your design to finish (figure 7/8)
2. Take your flash drive to the UCP
3. Get the file downloaded on to the UCP
4. Select your file from the UCP (Figure 1)
5. Then go to settings and select the material you are using, I'm using plastics (Figure 2)
6. Then choose the specific type of material, I'm using acrylic (Figure 3)
7. Then finally choose the actual type of materiel, I'm using extruded acrylic (Figure 4)
8. Then measure your material and put in the thickness into material thickness (Figure 5)
9. Finally hit apply and OK to go to the final steps (Figure 6)
10. Then go to the preview screen and locate your image on the laser so it is on your material and press the green "play" button and close the door turn the vent on and wait for your design to finish (figure 7/8)
Applying Vinyl
1. Get your decal printed on the sheet on the sheet of vinyl
2. Then cut out your decal as close as you can to the edge of the image
3. Then you are going to want to strip the extra vinyl off from the sheet so it is just your image on there
3 Cont. To strip peel off at a 45 degree angle and straight down
4. Make sure you get the vinyl out of the holes and gaps
4 Cont. You can use a dentist pick to get the vinyl out
5. Then get the roll of masking tape and place your decal on sticky side of the tape
6. Then squidgy the decal onto the tape so it is stuck on there good
7. Then again strip off the decal and make sure it says on the tape
8. Finally find a surface you want your decal on
9. Then place the tape and the decal on the surface and squidgy it on the surface
10. Again slowly strip the tape off the decal and surface to finish
2. Then cut out your decal as close as you can to the edge of the image
3. Then you are going to want to strip the extra vinyl off from the sheet so it is just your image on there
3 Cont. To strip peel off at a 45 degree angle and straight down
4. Make sure you get the vinyl out of the holes and gaps
4 Cont. You can use a dentist pick to get the vinyl out
5. Then get the roll of masking tape and place your decal on sticky side of the tape
6. Then squidgy the decal onto the tape so it is stuck on there good
7. Then again strip off the decal and make sure it says on the tape
8. Finally find a surface you want your decal on
9. Then place the tape and the decal on the surface and squidgy it on the surface
10. Again slowly strip the tape off the decal and surface to finish
Summary
From Illustrator I learned that it uses 2D design to create the things you want to create and make. With this process it uses vectors instead of pixels so this means it doesn't distort the image when it gets larger because it uses lines. Also, I learned that the laser engraver can not cut through metal but it can engrave it. Also I learned that vinyl can only print 1 color so to make a decal multiple colors you have to print out multiple pieces. Finally from Illustrator I learned that it is the software used for the laser engraver and vinyl cutter and for the laser it uses red lines to cut and any other color to engrave and the vinyl uses black to cut out the decal you choose.