If it's selectable then yes; select the objects you want to separate and cmd+X to "cut" them. Make a new layer and do a "paste in place". That should do it.
Yes, David P. describes the quickest way to do. Two additional ideas :
Notice (but that's probably just a detail) that the end silhouette isn't excatly the same as the original's outline : it is offsetted by half of the original stroke width. Before step 4, it might be interesting to set the thinnest stroke, so that, this light offset is lessened. On the other hand, it might also be interesting to have an offsetted cutting, so that perimeter is also engraved : then set the stroke width to twice the offset you wish between the engraved perimeter and the cut.
You could refine the silhouette by doing path>union (because of tiny gaps, if the path isn't completely closed, this will close it) and selecting all nodes and doing shift+J to remove duplicate nodes.
I can't see any gaps, even with the outline view. In any case I don't think this will be a problem with the laser. The laser size (kerf) will overrun any tiny gap.
Now ideally I would like to have the inner lines (everything but the perimeter) for the engraving. Is there a way to "subtract" the silhouette from the full design?
Since there is the offset (of half of the line width) I don't know how feasible this is.
The idea of having both the cut and engraved silhouette is good; but since the design is so detailed and not so big I don't think this will be noticeable (again, the laser width).
I could just engrave everything and then cut the perimeter. I have to try. Making several passes with the laser is not ideal. It burns too much. I'll try
So : to achieve your project according to post #9 :
First :
enable snapping to paths > cusp nodes, smooth nodes, paths and path intersections.
open global inkscape preferences > Tools > Node tool and enable : "Show path direction on outlines" option : this might be useful later*. Now when using node tool, you'll see tiny arrows showing you the direction of the selected path.
Now, let’s take an example (illustration 1) : I turned one stroke to red, another to green, in order to see what’s going on. We will have to « separate » the peripheric portion of red path : to do that we will :
first, insert a node under the yellow circle I’ve added to show you where to do. With node tool, select red path and double clic on red path near the green one. Move this node a little bit back and forth to use snapping to snap it to the end of green path.
Now (illustration two) select the two nodes under the yellow circles (status bar says 2 nodes are selected), and press shift + B (or click on icon depicted on illustration) to break the path by creating to distinct nodes (now if you draw a selection-rectangle, status bar will say 4 nodes).
Then press ctrl + shift + B to break red path apart : you now have 3 paths, turn the two paths that will be engraved to black and forget them (illustration 4).
Do the same way for green path : add it a node (illustration 5, under yellow circle), break path at this node and break path apart then modify stroke colors (illustration 6).
The combination is :
select path with node tool > double clic to insert node > right positioning (snapping), shift + B > ctrl+ shift + K > selecting to-be-engraved paths (with node tool), turn stroke to black.
The second step is to union these peripheric paths : the process can be reversed :
With node tool (holding ctrl key), select red and green path, combine them (ctrl+K).
Rectangle-select the nodes that where the extremities (status bar says 2 nodes, visually you just see one) and press shift + J to join them (or icon depicted on illustration 7).
And repeat and repeat again until perimeter is fully done.
* If combining paths does weird things, take a look at path orientation : the two problematic paths don’t share same orientation. Choose one and reverse it (path > reverse).
I would keep black stroke for paths to be engraved, red for work-in-progress-perimeter path and green for perimeter paths to be processed.
first, for solving the problem. I'll start to do it, I hope there are not many corners to fix
and second for teaching me nice Inkscape tools. I haven't seen this process on videos and this helps me a lot, since I am coming from the CAD world this is more similar.
One little thing, on the third step of the second block I understand you mean control + shift + K. I wasn't seeing the difference when doing it, then in your summary it is clear.
and, is there a quick way to break every shape into individual straight segments?
Use node tool. Click one time on path (the path is selected, but no nodes are highlighted), press ctrl+A to select all nodes (or draw a selection rectangle, or hold tab to lasso select all nodes)*
Then, as explained earlier, press shift + B (to break path at all selected nodes), then ctrl+ shift + B (to break path apart).
shift + B creates subpaths (it interrupts the stroke inside a path)
ctrl+shift + B separates all subpaths into the same number of new paths.
* if the path coutnains subpaths and one node is highlighted, then ctrl+A leads to selection of all nodes in the subpath of the highlighted node (use ctrl+tab+A, then, to select all nodes in all subpaths).
Inkscape offers so many handy keyboard shortcuts : see there
You will have to install this excellent extension from Julius Krumbiegel (thanks again for sharing)
For me, the cleanest way to do remains the painstaking process described in post #13.
A quick way is to use the outline obtained as explained in post #6 : then :
save a copy of your work before creating the outline : combine all the paths of this copy (let's name this path : combined_copy)
create the outline, duplicate this outline
apply offset LPE to this duplicate to slightly inset the outline, so that it becomes slightly smaller than the original. Then do path>object to path to cook LPE
select this inseted duplicate and combined_copy and run extension > Pen Plotter Tools > Cut and remove by shape.
The extension also leaves the cutting path (the inseted outline) : remove.
But, results aren't perfect, because the perimeter as undergone outset / inset... Nevertheless, it's a quick way to to, the trick is the amount of inset you use in LPE.
Beginners' Questions Separate contour lines from a vector file
Inkscape.org
Hi there,
I have a vector file (SVG) of a building. With many details. All in one layer.
The idea is laser cut the design. Cutting the contour (perimeter) and engraving the inner details.
Since everything is on one single layer the laser software (RD Works) won't separate them.
Is there a way in Inkscape to separate these two type of lines into two layers?
thanks
If it's selectable then yes; select the objects you want to separate and cmd+X to "cut" them. Make a new layer and do a "paste in place". That should do it.
They are selectable. The problem is that the elements forming the perimeter are not only part of the perimeter but also "entering" the shape.
Some lines are both perimeter (to be cut) and design (to be engraved)
Could you attach the svg file, in order to see how you could do.
There are different ways to do, depending on the structure of your svg file.
Here it goes
I have deleted many items because it is confidential
thanks!
Try this:
Switch to outline view and zoom into the details. You'll see lots of gaps. These are troublesome for the path boolean operations.
David.P has the right approach. I can't think of a better solution.
Yes, David P. describes the quickest way to do. Two additional ideas :
Very nice result!
I tried it and it works.
I can't see any gaps, even with the outline view. In any case I don't think this will be a problem with the laser. The laser size (kerf) will overrun any tiny gap.
Now ideally I would like to have the inner lines (everything but the perimeter) for the engraving. Is there a way to "subtract" the silhouette from the full design?
Since there is the offset (of half of the line width) I don't know how feasible this is.
The idea of having both the cut and engraved silhouette is good; but since the design is so detailed and not so big I don't think this will be noticeable (again, the laser width).
I could just engrave everything and then cut the perimeter. I have to try. Making several passes with the laser is not ideal. It burns too much. I'll try
Thanks
ok, now I see the gaps. Lots of gaps
I've been decreasing the stroke width and they show up
How do I close them?
@David248 I don't understand the path-union you mentioned, when do you do it?
It's just a trick (learned from imppao, an expert member from this forum) to close a single path.
You just have to select this single path and do path > union ( ctrl + +) : this closes the path.
Counter intuitive because only one path is selected, but very efficient.
I tried, but it closes the paths that are open. For example, if there is a U closes it. But it doesn't "fill" the gaps
So : to achieve your project according to post #9 :
First :
Now, let’s take an example (illustration 1) : I turned one stroke to red, another to green, in order to see what’s going on. We will have to « separate » the peripheric portion of red path : to do that we will :
first, insert a node under the yellow circle I’ve added to show you where to do. With node tool, select red path and double clic on red path near the green one. Move this node a little bit back and forth to use snapping to snap it to the end of green path.
Now (illustration two) select the two nodes under the yellow circles (status bar says 2 nodes are selected), and press shift + B (or click on icon depicted on illustration) to break the path by creating to distinct nodes (now if you draw a selection-rectangle, status bar will say 4 nodes).
Then press ctrl + shift + B to break red path apart : you now have 3 paths, turn the two paths that will be engraved to black and forget them (illustration 4).
Do the same way for green path : add it a node (illustration 5, under yellow circle), break path at this node and break path apart then modify stroke colors (illustration 6).
The combination is :
select path with node tool > double clic to insert node > right positioning (snapping), shift + B > ctrl+ shift + K > selecting to-be-engraved paths (with node tool), turn stroke to black.
The second step is to union these peripheric paths : the process can be reversed :
With node tool (holding ctrl key), select red and green path, combine them (ctrl+K).
Rectangle-select the nodes that where the extremities (status bar says 2 nodes, visually you just see one) and press shift + J to join them (or icon depicted on illustration 7).
And repeat and repeat again until perimeter is fully done.
* If combining paths does weird things, take a look at path orientation : the two problematic paths don’t share same orientation. Choose one and reverse it (path > reverse).
I would keep black stroke for paths to be engraved, red for work-in-progress-perimeter path and green for perimeter paths to be processed.
double thanks!
first, for solving the problem. I'll start to do it, I hope there are not many corners to fix
and second for teaching me nice Inkscape tools. I haven't seen this process on videos and this helps me a lot, since I am coming from the CAD world this is more similar.
One little thing, on the third step of the second block I understand you mean control + shift + K. I wasn't seeing the difference when doing it, then in your summary it is clear.
and, is there a quick way to break every shape into individual straight segments?
I mean, can I break a U into three separate paths with one operation?
Use node tool. Click one time on path (the path is selected, but no nodes are highlighted), press ctrl+A to select all nodes (or draw a selection rectangle, or hold tab to lasso select all nodes)*
Then, as explained earlier, press shift + B (to break path at all selected nodes), then ctrl+ shift + B (to break path apart).
* if the path coutnains subpaths and one node is highlighted, then ctrl+A leads to selection of all nodes in the subpath of the highlighted node (use ctrl+tab+A, then, to select all nodes in all subpaths).
Inkscape offers so many handy keyboard shortcuts : see there
Another idea :
You will have to install this excellent extension from Julius Krumbiegel (thanks again for sharing)
For me, the cleanest way to do remains the painstaking process described in post #13.
A quick way is to use the outline obtained as explained in post #6 : then :
The extension also leaves the cutting path (the inseted outline) : remove.
But, results aren't perfect, because the perimeter as undergone outset / inset... Nevertheless, it's a quick way to to, the trick is the amount of inset you use in LPE.
Control + shift + B
or + K? I am confused, maybe my shortcuts are different (I think I have never changed them).
Sorry sorry 😊
Ctrl + shift + k
No sorries, I just wanted to make sure and understand :)
thanks!