Again and again we are asked the question: “Do I really need to work with CorelDraw®? I’d much rather edit my designs in another program, such as Adobe Illustrator®.” The answer? No problem. Use this guide to determine the optimal settings.
Guide to the optimal settings
Select the following settings right at the beginning to make sure that the laser can interpret the graphics information correctly.
Step by Step
Create your graphic in Adobe Illustrator
Step1: Create your graphic
Use following settings in Adobe Illustrator:
Line width for cut lines must be 0.001 mm
Use RGB color space (the same like in the Job Control material database)
The stroke must be aligned to the center
Adobe Illustrator: Set line color
Adobe Illustrator: Set Color Mode
Adobe Illustrator: Set Line Width
Adobe Illustrator: Set Align Stroke "Center"
Step 2: Continue to the print dialog
Now your design is ready, and you want to send it to the laser. Just like CorelDraw®, Adobe Illustrator® also communicates with the laser via the printing dialog. Click on “Print”, and the Adobe Illustrator® print window opens. In section “Output," make sure that RGB has been selected as the color space. Then click on “Setup," and the classic print dialog opens.
Adobe Illustrator: Printer dialogue
Step 3: Select Trotec Engraver and adjust laser settings
Now select the Trotec Engraver and click in “Preferences” or “Settings”. Here you can adjust the printing parameters for your laser.
Adobe Illustrator: Set printing parameters
Step 4: Set the printing parameters
Set the size: Width and Height must be bigger or equal the graphic size
Mark "Minimize to Jobsize" if you only want to print visible areas of the job.
Chose the material settings from the material database.
Click the JobControl® logo button to print
Adobe Illustrator: Printer settings
Step 5: JobControl®
When you are finished, click “Print," and you will be automatically redirected to JobControl®.
In the JobControl® window, you will see the plate, and you can select your current job (or older jobs if so desired) from the menu on the right and place it anywhere on the plate.
For more information about JobControl®, please see here.
Adobe Illustrator: Set Printing area
Further information
Contact the Trotec service hotline where top qualified and motivated laser experts will assist you with any questions or problems.
