Glowforge

Basics

• "With Glowforge, you’ll put a piece of material like leather, wood, or acrylic in the machine and it carves out your product using laser light. The technical name for the category of tools that includes Glowforge is a CNC laser cutter engraver, but that's a mouthful, so we call it a 3D laser printer."  - glowforge.com

Important

• It is recommended you schedule a one-on-one demonstration of the Glowforge prior to your first use.
• Staff assistance will be limited to 1/8" and 1/4" plywood at this time.  If you wish to use a different type of material, you will need to determine the proper settings for your material.  
• A limited amount of materials are available for purchase at the library.  Please ask prior to your appointment if the type of material you need is available. Prices may vary and payment is by check or cash only.
• Staff will need to approve any materials brought in by patrons unless it is Glowforge proofgrade material.  We reserve the right to deny the use of the Glowforge if we are unsure if the product is safe to use.
• You will need to have your design saved to a flash drive.  
• Glowforge can print JPG, PNG, SVG and PDFs.
  • SVG & PDF are the only Vector file formats for uploading into the Glowforge machine that will allow you to utilize all features: cut, score, and engrave.
  • JPG and PNG are ‘Raster’ or ‘Non-Vector’ file formats and will only allow engraving.  
• The library does not offer access to the Glowforge Premium Account.  Design capabilities on the Glowforge app will be very limited.  You will need to purchase your design or use other software to create your own design. 
• You can design with any software that saves a PDF, including Adobe Illustrator, Inkscape, CorelDraw, Adobe Photoshop, GIMP, Autodesk 360, and Silhouette Studio (business edition)
• Inkscape and Adobe Illustrator are available on laptops in the Imagine Lab.  If you wish to work on your design in the lab, please be sure to schedule additional time.
• The library does not guarantee the results of your project will meet your expectations. You are responsible for performing test cuts, checking measurements, and making sure you are using the correct material.

 

Helpful Websites:

What can you cut and engrave with the Glowforge?

What software do I need to create files for the Glowforge?

Laser Safety Guide

Glowforge Guide by LaserCutLife 

Getting Started with the Glowforge 

Glowforge Owners Forum

If you would like to come to the library and start from the very beginning, check out this link - Make Your First Prints

 

Videos

CreativeBug - search for Glowforge  (you will need your library card and PIN to register)

Fresh Start Customs - large list of Glowforge related videos including...

Glowforge: to the Point  

Introduction to Glowforge Software

 

Videos I have found helpful in making specific projects...

How to Create a Word Cut Out in Adobe

How to Use Text on a Glowforge - Unite and Offset Path in Illustrator

Start to Finish: Illustrator Design for Glowforge Laser Cutting

How to Design a Farmhouse Ornament - Illustrator (forward to about 10 minutes to see how to work with text)

Inkscape - Creating a Quick Christmas Ornament

Inkscape for Glowforge - Basics and Understanding Text