Please help! Has there been a change to importing files to cut on the laser? Previously, I designed in inkscape and then sent it to rd works. Put it on a flash drive. Brought it in, and opened it up in rd works at the space. No problems. Today, I went in and could not get it to work. Somehow most all my work on my flash drive now says Ai instead of rdworks. So I tried going in through Ai, but it said only two computers were allowed to sign in and I don’t have a password and now I am frustrated and confused and lost as to what in tarnation I am suppose to do. Help me Obi-Wan Kenobi (aka laser experts)You’re my only hope!!!
I’m guessing someone changed the default file handler. I would try opening Inkscape separately and then using the File>Open menu from inside Inkscape to access your files.
Do you happen to know if they are SVGs?
If they are DXF files, then I would try the same thing with RDWorks. Open RDWorks and then do a file import.
I generally design in Illustrator (and sometimes Inkscape) and I save my designs as an .ai file type before importing into RD Works. This has worked for me without fail. I do not know the details of your files (e.g., scan/raster or cut), but I have had no problems with either job type using the above process. Were your original design files .dxf or …svg? I have, at times, needed to load my thumb drive file onto the local desktop and re-save as a.ai file before uploading to RD Works successfully, but this doesn’t sound like your issue. I do not have any history working with .dxf files, so would defer to other SME’s in that scenario.
I saved as svg and another file as dxf. Never had a problem until now.
Also, I have never used Ai before, and have been lasering for about 6 months with no problem on opening my files.
Wee you able to try starting the applications first and then opening the files?
there may be others there that can look at your files to determine what’s going on. There will be many laser SME’s at the DMS on Sunday for Laser Maintenance Day and that would be a great time to review your issue. If you have a more urgent need, time wise, I suggest reaching out to one of our resident educators like John Gorman @talkers.
Will try again in the morning and see if any of y’alls suggestions work
For vector files, RDWorks only imports AI (adobe illustrator) and dxf files. It does not understand svgs.
To use an svg with RDWorks, first open the file in Adobe Illustrator. Then save the file as an illustrator (ai) file. No other actions needed.
Now, you should be able to import it into RDWorks.
Alternative: use Lightburn. It is installed on the Thunder PCs. You typically need to click first on an LB License file to install it.
Lightburn can read svgs. The interface is very similar to RDWorks, but friendlier.