Bridge Design Vector Graphics
Overview
Submit a laser cutter ready 2D version of your bridge. It should be either .svg or .pdf, and sized to cut 12" x 24" plywood.
Be sure the design should follow the dimensions and constraints described here: Plywood Bridge.
Your file should be submitted as an attachment via t-square.
2D Vector Software
It's time to design your 3D parts directly in a 2D vector graphics program. This software is much easier to use, but you’ll have to keep track of how your parts fit together on your own - if you're using only a 2D vector graphics program that is (SolidWorks takes care of this for you using Assembly files). By performing boolean operations on 2D primitives, you can lay out the shapes that you want to laser cut and design a way for the sides to fit together. You can also use your pre-existing SolidWorks parts and lay them out in a drawing file on SolidWorks. Then, you can export the drawing into a file format the lasercutter will read (will be demo'd in class).
Two of the software packages that are commonly used are the open-source Inkscape, and the Adobe software, Illustrator. Illustrator is actually the software we use for importing and laser cutting designs on the laser cutter in CCB337. Adobe Illustrator can be accessed through the library virtual machine at http://mycloud.gatech.edu.
Once you have a design ready, you can go to the GVU Prototyping Lab during the ‘lab hours’ or at other times when someone with lasercutter experience is available to help you. Anything that can be opened in Adobe Illustrator is likely to work, but we recommend a DXF 2000 file format. You may also consider use other laser cutters on campus, including the ones in the Invention Studio.
GVU lab hours can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/pxn4ljl
