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Epilog Software#

Preparing the Files

Operating the Machines

This training goes over Epilog Dashboard, the software we use to run the laser cutters in the SHED.

This software is available on the computer attached next to each laser. These are public computers, if they are logged out, use the password “SHEDLaser” to unlock them. You will have to insert your ID into the ACS to unlock the keyboard and mouse before use.

Before continuing, your file should be cleaned and ready to cut. See the training below if you need help with this;

Sending Files to Epilog Dashboard#

We can't just open our file in Epilog Dashboard, instead we have to print it to the Dashboard. Open your file in one of the following softwares, and hit CTRL+P to open the print dialogs.

  • Microsoft Edge: Best for all file types

  • Windows Photo Viewer: OK for raster images

Inkscape, Chrome, FireFox, etc. will not work.

In the print dialog, make sure that the settings are exactly as follows;

  • Printer: Epilog Engraver

  • Layout: Landscape

  • Paper Size: PostScript Custom Page Size

  • Scale: Actual Size

Positioning Your Cut#

One of the benefits of the Epilog machines is that they have a camera to help align your cut to the material.

You can position your file by clicking and dragging it. If you want to only cut some sections of the file, you can do so by dragging over the pink borders from the corners. Anything inside the pink zone will be ignored.

You can also delete or move independent parts of your file by ungrouping it. To do this, right-click and “Ungroup” to split the file.

NOTE: Camera position is accurate to within ¼" when the material is focused, and the accuracy changes as you get farther from the camera in the center of the bed.

Left Menu: Modifying Your File#

On the left side of the screen is where most file manipulation tools are. These options only appear when you select a design. Otherwise, you will see options to move the boundary, turn off the video, or increase the contrast. Let's go through them;

  1. Undo & Redo Buttons: Allows you to correct a mistake if you accidentally change something.

  2. Mirror: These 2 buttons allow you to flip your design horizontally or vertically.

  3. Origin Point: Sets the origin point that the coordinates for the design are based on.

  4. X & Y Coordinates: Allows you to move a design to an absolute position on the bed, relative to the Origin. Useful for setting up repeat cuts in the same spot.

  5. Length and Width: The most important settings. Change these to scale your design.

    • If you set a known-value box around your design, enter the length and width of it here to adjust the scaling properly.

  6. Ratio Lock: The chain icon next to them shows they are linked and will proportionally scale. Click the chain to unlink them.

  7. Angle: Used to rotate the design.

Auto Focus#

At the top is the “Auto Focus” menu. This has 3 options;

  • Off: The machine assumes it is already focused. Use this if you manually or automatically focused on the material already. This is the recommended setting for Fusion Edge machines.

  • Plunger: The machine will auto-focus on the material before it starts cutting. The machine guesses where it is OK to focus.

  • Thickness: The machine automatically focuses based on the thickness of the material set in the processes. Recommended for Fusion Pro machine. Make sure you set the thickness on all processes!

Laser Processes#

In the “Processes” section, we can see what the laser cutter is going to do, and with what settings. The order that items are listed in this menu are the order the laser will execute them. For instance, if we want the laser to engrave our design before cutting it out, we need to drag and arrange the engraving above the cutting.

By default, everything is grouped into a process called “Everything”. For jobs that have multiple settings (e.g. a cut and an engrave), we want to split this. Click the “Split by Color” button to split it into vectors and rasters, as well as by color. This will create a process named for each item.

If you want to combine multiple processes (e.g. engrave vector text and an image at the same time), you can select “Merge” on one of the processes and choose the other one to merge it with.

Laser Process Settings#

Once we have split, merged, and arranged the processes how we like, we can apply settings to them. Settings are already developed for many common materials, these can be imported by pressing the “Import Settings” icon in the top right corner.

The laser settings are split into 2 tabs; engrave (raster) and vector. Each of these tabs are then grouped by material. Select the settings you want, and click “Import” at the bottom to apply them. You will know it succeeded if the name of the process changes to the settings name.

Once you import settings, you can edit them. For instance, turning down the DPI will result in a faster engraving, or turning up the power & down the speed will make the engraving deeper. It is generally recommended to leave cut settings as-is.

Once you apply settings, you will also be able to see the time estimate for each section. Worst-case, run time for a 1 sq ft engraving should be under 45 minutes. If your engraving seems like it is taking a lot longer than that, something may be wrong.

If you do not find settings for your material, ask staff for help developing settings.

Once all the above steps are complete, you can hit the “Print” button at the bottom to send the file to the laser cutter.