Illustrator
Illustrator is a vector graphics editor and a design program. With illustrator you are able to create outlines & ideas to be cut with a laser. This program allows you to create cool, abstract, and unique pieces of art that no other program has the ability to offer.
After creating my keychain in illustrator, I used the computer to sync my keychain to the printer and to start the process. I lined up my keychain to the top right of the image. Then I started. The 3rd picture shows me mid-way through the laser process.
Now, the computer shows me that the keychain has been fully engraved and cut. Then I have my final product.
For the Vinyl, I first had the computer to sync with the Vinyl cutter & had my name fully ready. Then, I started to use the machine which would cut out my name. Now, I had to peel off the excess Vinyl so I was left with just my name. To get my name onto my notebook, I had to use transfer tape and a squeegee. Then I ended up with my final product notebook.
What I learned
The biggest thing I learned in this unit was that being patient was the best thing to do. For my Vinyl I had to restart because I rushed the peeling off excess vinyl process. I also needed to be patient during the laser keychain because I had the keychain hole not cut out and almost had to restart. But I took the extra time to fix things which really helped me in the end. Besides learning to be patient, I learned a lot about Illustrator, how laser cutting & engraving works, and how vinyl cutting works and the uses it has. Overall, it was a fun unit with fun projects.