LaserUser.com Forum (formerly RDWorksLab)

I am just trying to learn Inkscape, mainly want to learn how do something like this. Can anyone point me to a video maybe shows how to do something like this? Like how the Mopar logo is inlaid into the flag. Thanks

Download free mopar vector file from internet. Download free distressed flag from the internet. Pull both into Lightburn or Inkscape. Place the mopar on top of the flag. Use one of the boolean operations to create a single image. Create an polygon outline shape of the car window's dimension. Put that over the mopar flag within the software. Do another boolean operation to crop the flag to the shape of the window/polygon.

I 'think' he means cut the logo out of the flag graphic? Create an outline around the logo and use that to cut away the flag graphic. I am not familiar with that program and the terminology will differ with different programs but it will be something like cut/subtract/clear. I personally think that Lightburn is a very good basic graphics engine [at a reasonable price] for people new to that type of program, even if you do not use it to run the laser.

It's harder than it looks (or ought to be).

First, you need the two images. They need to be in VECTOR format. (See viewtopic.php?f=104&t=3623 for background and instructions).

Second, if you just merge (we'll define "merge" later) the two images, you won't have the clear space around the Mopar logo. So you'll have to create that clear space first. Make a copy of the Mopar logo. Then use Path -> Outset to create the margin (the clear space you want). The distance to Outset is hidden in some stupidly obscure menu somewhere. On my version, it's under Edit -> Preferences -> Behavior -> Steps.

Third, you want to merge the flag image with the Mopar OUTLINE image. This is a bit tricky, because the behavior of Inkscape is dependent upon the PRIORITY BETWEEN THE TWO OBJECTS. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=203bg9dsu9Q . You want to use Path -> Difference. Use PGUP / PGDN to get what you want. In my little experiment, I had to select the flag, and press PGDN, then Shift-click to also select the Mopar OUTLINE. Then Path -> Difference did what I wanted - it made a space in the flag.

Finally, drag the actual Mopar logo into the space you just created.

Now save it as a DXF and import it into RDWorks and cut it!

I tried this step by step....got nothing. The 2 never "merged" together, I don't what or where I went wrong but I have done it 100 times and still got the same result.

In my Program [FlexiSignPro]- I outlined the TRD, separated the outline, cut it out of the flag.

I think this is what you want:
Here are the "special tricks" I did to make it work:
First, I had to COMBINE the vectors (it's like "Group/Ungroup" except for vectors).
Use the vector-selection arrow (the thin arrow).
Drag to select all of the "TRD" logo. Then do Path -> Combine. This groups the whole thing into one object.
Resize it appropriately.

Do the same for the flag.

Then you can copy the TRD logo, and do the outset (I did 5mm).
Drag the TRD logo offset (or copy & paste) over the flag.
Use the vector selection arrow, and select the flag, press PGDN, then shift-click the logo. Path -> Difference.
Drag the actual (non-offset version) of the TRD logo into the "hole".

Tip: After you do the Path->Combine, select the object using the vector arrow, and then set the Fill to X and the stroke to some color (black), and the stroke thickness to 0.1mm or 1 px. I find it's easier to work this way.

Gene Uselman wrote: Thu Aug 01, 2019 In my Program [FlexiSignPro]- I outlined the TRD, separated the outline, cut it out of the flag.

US- TRD.ai

Gene I wish I had FlexsignPro, I just have VinylMaster.

Jeffrey Aley wrote: Thu Aug 01, 2019 I think this is what you want:

Flag.JPG

Here are the "special tricks" I did to make it work:
First, I had to COMBINE the vectors (it's like "Group/Ungroup" except for vectors).
Use the vector-selection arrow (the thin arrow).
Drag to select all of the "TRD" logo. Then do Path -> Combine. This groups the whole thing into one object.
Resize it appropriately.

Do the same for the flag.

Then you can copy the TRD logo, and do the outset (I did 5mm).
Drag the TRD logo offset (or copy & paste) over the flag.
Use the vector selection arrow, and select the flag, press PGDN, then shift-click the logo. Path -> Difference.
Drag the actual (non-offset version) of the TRD logo into the "hole".

Tip: After you do the Path->Combine, select the object using the vector arrow, and then set the Fill to X and the stroke to some color (black), and the stroke thickness to 0.1mm or 1 px. I find it's easier to work this way.

Thanks Jeffrey, I'm going to play around some more and see if I can't figure it out.

About 10 minutes into our Booleans demo video it walks you through doing this in LightBurn:

https://youtu.be/51cXqmNHgeI?t=592