Ever seen a glowing sign and wondered how that crisp design came to life?
It starts with the right tools and a dash of creativity. For my LED acrylic sign project, I wanted to create something that would light up a room—literally and figuratively. My design began with brainstorming artists who have impacted my life with symmetrical patterns. Using Inkscape for the first time, I spent 15 minutes experimenting with the platform and gaining familiarity.
I translated these ideas into a digital format using Inkscape for the following hour. Later, I used that SVG file on CorelDraw, making sure each line and curve would translate cleanly when etched into the acrylic. Once the design was set, I took my file to the Epilog Laser Cutter in the Maker Lab at Santa Clara University. Using the laser cutter was a meticulous process. It took another 45 minutes of testing to get the settings right. I ran several test cuts on scrap pieces to find that sweet spot.
With the settings dialed in, I moved on to the final cut, which took around 15 minutes to finish. Watching the laser work its way through the acrylic was both exciting and nerve-wracking, as the precision of the cut would determine the fit and finish of the sign. After the etching and cutting were complete, I ensured the sign fits perfectly into the LED block, allowing the light to illuminate the design details.
The most rewarding part of this project was learning to manipulate the laser cutter and understanding the nuances of working with acrylic under vector cuts and rastering. The experience has made me confident in using advanced maker tools, and I’m excited to experiment further with illuminated designs.
Total Log (2hr 15min):
15 minutes experimenting on Inkscape
1 hour designing on Inkscape and translating into CorelDraw
45 minutes running tests and experimenting with the setting on the Epilog Laser Cutter
15-minute vector cutting and rastering process
Commenti