I'm new! just bought an XL

How can I import a picture into Create?, can i just import a SVG Graphic? and how do I convert a clipart to SVG?

Thanks

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Carbide Create will accept a (vector) SVG which has all special effects expanded, closed paths, or open paths w/ more than 3 nodes (often dropping a beginning or ending node). This is discussed in a couple of the tutorials, e.g., http://docs.carbide3d.com/tutorials/project-nerdcoasters/

If you have a problem with a specific file, you can post it here, or send it in to support@carbide3d.com and we’ll gladly try to help.

You can place pixel images and re-draw them — see http://docs.carbide3d.com/assembly/carbidecreate/video-tutorials/#background-images and https://www.shapeoko.com/wiki/index.php/Carbide_Create_Photo_Tracing

If you have vector images in other formats you can open them up in Inkscape and re-save them as SVG files: https://www.shapeoko.com/wiki/index.php/Inkscape — using Inkscape as a front-end for Carbide Create makes it a surprisingly powerful tool.

Thanks! is Ink scape a separate downloadable program then? also how can I rotate Text to go at an angle?

Yes, Inkscape is a free, opensource vector drawing program available for Mac OS X (requires XQuartz I believe) and Windows and Linux (maybe others).

https://inkscape.org/en/

In Carbide Create to rotate text just select it and use the rotate tool (second icon from the left under Scale):

Thanks again! I am so excited to get my xl I figured I could upgrade if needed I’ll pay more but none are in stock lol, but oh well at least I can see what I can do and have a bunch of fun.

Now what program is as easy as create that I can buy but more capable maybe? If this is not? Can you curve text in create? Is there a place for ready made projects that you can download? W

Carbide Create won’t automatically curve / arch text — Inkscape has that as a feature though:

http://goinkscape.com/how-to-curve-text-in-inkscape/

Just convert to paths, save as an SVG, then load into Carbide Create.

I believe that nothing else is quite as simple as Carbide Create, aside from the pixel-oriented tools such as F-Engrave: https://www.shapeoko.com/wiki/index.php/F-Engrave — using Inkscape as a front-end to Carbide Create is a modest increase in complexity, but a huge increase in capabilities and efficiency.

There are some projects here on the forums, and a few more listed on the wiki. The big repository is:

If you can’t find, or have trouble working up a project, let us know here or at support@carbide3d.com and we can do a step-by-step tutorial if need be.

Ok, got all of that, now what bit’s should I buy to be basic at first, If I remember right the kit comes with one bit?, what bits should i buy at first to start with? I like the VCarve Idea, but what size etc? I just want to start out simple so I don’t get to confuse lol

The machine includes one #201 endmill.

The community has suggestions at: https://www.shapeoko.com/wiki/index.php/Endmills#Shapeoko_3

The nice thing about V carving is that it’s somewhat size independent — see: Carve letters depth

Best thing to do is to work through the tutorials at: http://docs.carbide3d.com/tutorials/#shapeoko-tutorials

and then branch out into projects which incrementally try out new concepts and aspects of the machine and software.

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Now my other question is I have a garage that’s not insulated yet can this handle the Wisconsin winter if I cover it unused, in insulated blankets to protect it? I won’t use it weird question probably

No, this comes up pretty regularly — the machine is quite similar to the starter mechanism in a car (electronics, motors, rubber belt) — the problem is, we expect it to work with greater precision than a car’s starter.

So long as condensation doesn’t cause corrosion on the electronics, and you recalibrate the belts at need, it should be fine.

I was running my XXL last year in sub freezing high teens F in my garage without any real issues. At one point my Z axis belt was slipping and I thought it may be the rubber belts versus the cold, but I’m pretty sure it was actually my dust boot fouling against my project ( I haven’t had same issues since switching to a fixed height dust boot). As Will stated unless you are getting condensation in the electrical parts I don’t think just being cold will hurt it. Wisconsin cold I’m not sure, you guys drop a fair bit below us in Texas, so I don’t know at what point the belts start really having issues while running. I’m guessing if it got cold enough you could see accuracy issues when the metal parts start resizing, but my guess is if you recalibrate in Winter, then again in Summer you could stay caught up with it unless you’re making very low tolerance Space Shuttle parts, haha!!!

Dan

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That’s why I wanted to cover to keep the condensation off to Let it acclimate, by the way the xxl was out of stock yesterday, and I ordered the xl figuring I could upgrade then today the xxl was I stock! And they shipped the xl, they were kind enough to call it back and get me the xxl, the different cost was only $200 which I did not know as they never showed the price, so I’m
A lucky camper! And I have the xxl coming now, I just want to get a set of all around bits

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