Now your file is ready to be imported to inkscape or another drawing package and be converted to your laser cutting format. When you're ready, go to File->Print and select cute pdf from the drop down box, save the output directly to pdf. Settings->Other Settings, allows you to change the spacing on the dotted linesįile->Print and Paper settings, has a setting to 'print lines clearly (vector)' this should be selected to ensure the file is printed as lines rather than a raster image. Others->Texture On/Off, allows you to export a smaller plain item.

Perform the unwrap and adjust the layout of your item until you are happy with the arrangement.

Load up Pepakura and import your 3D model. Printing to pdf creates a file ready for conversion with no more effort. The full version of pepakura does allow you to export to vector formats but so far I've found all of them to be incompatible with inkscape or not suitable to lasering (dotted lines made of a solid line and painted to look like a dotted one). This will allow you to print directly from pepakura to a vector based format. I'm sure other pdf printers will also be acceptable. Pepakura, the demo program will suffice but a full version will allow you to save your work in progress.Ī vector editing package, I'm using Inkscape, Cute PDF, or a similar pdf printer and access to a laser cutter.ĭownload and install cute PDF. This instructable shows how to convert pepakura plans into a set of files that can be passed through to a laser cutter so you don't have to spend hours cutting and scoring. What if there was a way to combine the power of Pepakura with the power of a laser cutter? The only downside is that you get a large set of 2D plans that need to be cut out and scored before assembly. These can be printed out with a standard printer and assembled back into a 3D model. Pepakura is an amazing program that unwraps 3D models and turns them into flat 2D nets, with the appropriate fold signs and flaps.

Genji pepakura files