Illustrator is a 2D program that allows you to change raster images, images made up of pixels, into vector images, images made up of lines, this allows you to make the image any size you want without distorting the image. Illustrator also allows you to create 2D designs that you can then use to cut into vinyl or laser cut into wood, cardboard, or even round objects.
Key Chain Project
Open Adobe Illustrator and create 2.5 inch by 3 inch work space. From there create any shape key chain with any design you want engraved into it red lines will be cut by the laser black lines/ black vector images will be engraved by the laser.
Load your key chain onto a flash drive and then bring it down to the laser, plug your flash drive into the computer and open your key chain file. Once you've opened your file, click file and then click print. When the printer menu pops up make sure to change the printer to the laser(VLS6.60) and click print.
Open the laser CPU and position your key chain on the printer bed where you want it buy using the pointer to the spot you want and then moving your key chain corner to the pointer.
Once your have your key chain positioned correctly open the settings menu and select the material your printing with and make sure the measure the thickness of your material so you can enter it to the material thickness box.
After you have the right settings click print and watch your key chain print.
You should be able to take your key chain out of the printer bed and it done!
Vinyl Cutting Project
First open Adobe Illustrator and create new work space and then type your name and change the font to whatever you like.
Once you've printed your name on the vinyl cutter remove the excess vinyl.
Now put adhesive on over the top of your vinyl and cut of the excess adhesive
Once you've applied the adhesive remove the backing paper very carefully. Now position your vinyl decal how you want it and stick it to your object. Now use a squeegee to get the vinyl to stick to your object.
Now that it's squeegeed carefully pull the adhesive off and you'll now have a complete vinyl decal!
During these two projects I learned how to use Illustrator by adding text changing line color and changing raster images to vector images. I also learned how to set up and print projects on both the vinyl cutter and the laser cutter. Finally I learned that a raster image is an image made up of pixels on the screen and if the image is enlarged it will get distorted. A vector image is a picture made of of lines therefore it can be enlarged to any size you want with out it getting distorted.