OpenCutList to Shaper Origin

Context

Shaper Origin is a handheld precision router that supports SVG file as input for tool paths.

Since version 6.0.0, OpenCutList could be a good companion for this machine, offering the ability to quickly export a part's geometry to SVG.

Getting Started

First of all you need to have SketchUp Make 2017 or SketchUp Pro installed on your computer. Then read the Installing page to find out how to install OpenCutList.

If you want to learn more about OpenCutList and the context of this Open Source project, check this page.

Exporting to SVG

OpenCutList offers multiples ways of exporting SketchUp drawings to SVG file. Each of these is fully customizable.

From Part (Component) to SVG

First, draw your project in the 3D model and create one component per part.

For the rest, we will use this toolbox as an example.

The easiest way to export parts shape is to use the Smart Export Tool.

Activate the tool and select the Export 2D part action and SVG file format.

Click on the More button and configure colors according to the Origin Cut Type encoding:

• Parts : Line color = none, Fill color = black

• Drillings : Line color = black, Fill color = white

• Paths : Line color = blue

You can now move the mouse over the face of each part you wish to export as a 2D SVG. As you can see below, a blue line wireframe preview of the part drawing projection is drawn in real time.

This tool is more than just a face exporter. It offers several useful options:

• Anchor point : This option preserves the location of the coordinate axes of the SketchUp component of the part in the exported file (Project the part's origin). Otherwise the smallest coordinate of the bounding box is used as location of the origin of the coordinate axes (Default). This option is fully compatible with Origin custom anchor (the little red triangle).

• Smoothing : Smooth circles and arcs ! Learn more.

• Merging Mode : Learn more

  • Default : The part shape is exported with a single layer per depth.

  • Outline + Drillings + Merge : Activates the separation of the outer contour of parts from their holes, as well as the merging of depths for each cavity.

• Paths : Allow edges not associated with a face in the part to be exported as a path. Learn more.

Each of these four options can be configured from the tool shortcut bar or from the full configuration panel. The selected configuration is stored and will be retained even if you close SketchUp. You can also create Presets.

In this use case, we will set Anchor point to Default, Smoothing to Smooth circles and arcs, Merge mode to Outline + Drilling + Merge and Paths to Use edges not associated with a face.

To export a single part, simply point and click on the face that will be under the Origin during machining, select a folder and enter the file name, then click on the Save button. That's all there is to it! Your first SVG is ready.

If you take a look at the generated SVG you can see that the encoded depth has been automatically extracted from the 3D model. In addition, you can see that the entire part drawing is encapsulated in a group called OCL_PART. And each path is named according to its cutting depth. This naming is compatible with Inkscape and Affinity Designer.

Second example with "pocket" portions.

More About Paths

Paths are a common terms for edges or curves that are drawn inside the part component and are not associated with a face.

Paths allows you to add extra geometry which will be exported with a color different from that of the solid geometry.

For example, the front of the toolbox features a heart that we want to engrave. This heart is drawn with four curved welded arcs in a subgroup of the long side component.

If the Paths option is enabled, OpenCutList will detect it and preview it with light blue line.

And export it as a simple SVG path.

A more advance example might be the engraving of lines that protrude from the shape of the part.

This does not alter the size of the part in the Parts List, as lines without faces are ignored by OpenCutList.

Paths can be useful for creating machining areas for autopass.

Imagine the following part where you want to use autopass at specific locations. Simply draw closed paths, weld them into a curve and export them.

From Face to SVG

If creating a solid component is too restrictive for your needs, you can also export the faces directly. In this case, however, only the pointed face will be exported.

Use the third Export Face action of the Smart Export Tool.

Batch Export

If your project contains several parts, you can export all the parts in a single operation. In this case, generate the Parts List, click on the three-dot button and select Export 2D projection of parts in group.

Then set the desired options and colors and click on the Export button.

In this example, 5 SVG files will be exported to the chosen folder, named by a combination of the part number and its name.

Export As Cutting Diagram