TexHouse Plain comparisons of 3D printing and maker tools

How to prepare metal plates for cutting, for hobbyist fabricators

Tool-neutral steps for hobbyist metal fabricators to clean, mark, protect and check plates before cutting, with tools that can help with the cut file.

By TexHouse ยท

TexHouse is published by the makers of LunarWerx 3D Print, Vector3D and MeshyDL, which are compared here alongside other tools.

Measure and clean the plate, protect its finished face, lay out the part and check that the cut file is at real size. Run a test cut on scrap of the same thickness before you cut the real plate.

OptionWhat it doesFee
VectorMagikTraces a picture into vector shapes using its own engine, and saves the result as SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, DXF, EMF or PNG [1] [1]Free for everyone; business use needs a licence (PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0) [1]
Other optionsFacts for other tools are not set out on this page; check each tool's own pageNot published

What you need before you start

Before you prepare a plate, have the plate itself and a clear drawing of the part you want. Measure the plate's thickness with calipers or another measuring tool, because the cut settings depend on it. Clean the surface with a degreaser and a lint-free cloth, since oil, dust and loose scale can spoil a clean cut or a clean layout line. Keep a scribe or fine marker and a square or straight edge ready for marking. Have a drawing file of the part, whether you drew it yourself or traced it from a sketch or photo, and note the material type, because the cut setup depends on both. Protective film or masking tape keeps the finished face from scratches during handling. Keep safety glasses and gloves nearby, make sure the plate can sit flat on the cutting table, and have clamps or supports ready. A notebook for recording the settings after each test cut makes it easier to repeat what worked.

Step by step

  1. Measure the plate. Check its thickness and flatness at several points, and note any bow or warp.
  2. Clean the surface. Wipe off oil, grease and loose dirt, then let it dry fully before marking.
  3. Protect the finished face. Apply masking tape or protective film to the side that will show, so handling and marking leave fewer scratches.
  4. Lay out the part. Mark the outline and any holes with a scribe or fine marker, measured from a square edge.
  5. Check the cut file. Make sure the drawing is at real size, the outline is closed, and no lines overlap or double up. A drawing scaled by mistake is a common cause of wrong parts.
  6. Allow for the cut. Cutting removes a little material along the line, so decide whether the part should sit on the line or just outside it, and adjust the file to match.
  7. Support and clamp the plate. Place it flat on the table with clamps or supports kept away from the cut path, so the offcut does not move during cutting.
  8. Test on scrap. Run a small test cut on scrap of the same thickness and check the edge, size and fit before committing the real plate.
  9. Record and cut. Write down the settings that worked, cut the real plate, and remove the protective film once the work is finished.

Tools that can do it

There are several ways to get a clean cutting outline, and the right one depends on where your drawing starts. If you already have a vector drawing, you may only need to check it. If you start from a sketch, photo or bitmap image, a tracing tool can turn it into vector shapes first.

VectorMagik is made by the team that publishes this site. It traces a picture into vector shapes using its own engine. [1] Once a picture is traced, you can move or delete curve nodes and round individual corners. [1] A tolerance slider merges neighbouring curve pieces, and Auto picks the largest tolerance that keeps the picture. [1] You can compare the vector with the bitmap side by side, or flip between them with B and V keys. [1] You can save the result as SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, DXF, EMF or PNG. [1] A browser version runs using the same engine. [1] Downloads exist for Windows x64, macOS (Apple Silicon and Intel), Linux x64, plus a browser version. [1] VectorMagik is free for everyone, and business use needs a licence, PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0. [1]

Facts for other tools are not set out on this page, so check each tool's own page for what it does, what it costs and which file formats it saves before you choose.

Common mistakes to avoid

Cutting without measuring the thickness is a mistake. Cut settings and the cut file both depend on the real thickness, so a guessed value can produce a poor edge or a part that does not fit.

Working from a file at the wrong scale causes parts that are too large or too small. Check the drawing against one measured dimension before cutting.

Leaving protective film on during cutting can cause it to melt or stick near the edge. Check what the film is rated for and remove it once the work is done.

Skipping the cut allowance leaves parts slightly off size. Decide whether the part sits on the line or outside it, and adjust the file before cutting.

Cutting the real plate without a test is a common error. A short test cut on scrap shows whether the edge and fit are right, and it costs far less than a ruined plate.

Frequently asked questions

Is VectorMagik free to use?

VectorMagik is free for everyone. [1] Business use needs a licence, and the tool is licensed under PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0. [1] Read the licence text itself before using the tool for business work, since a short summary on this page does not replace it.

Can VectorMagik save a file for a cutting program?

VectorMagik can save the result as SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, DXF, EMF or PNG. [1] Check which of these formats your cutting software accepts before you export, since that decides which file to save. Test a small file first so you know the outline arrives at the right size.

What should a hobbyist check before cutting a metal plate?

Check the plate's thickness, flatness and surface cleanliness first. Then confirm that the drawing is at real size, the outline is closed and the cut allowance is set. A short test cut on scrap of the same thickness shows whether the edge and fit are right before the real plate is cut.

Does VectorMagik work in a web browser?

A browser version runs in the web browser using the same engine. [1] Downloads also exist for Windows x64, macOS (Apple Silicon and Intel) and Linux x64. [1] Choose the version that suits your computer and the kind of file work you do.

Does VectorMagik have a command-line version?

A command-line version does the same work without a window. [1] It also lets an AI assistant trace pictures on your computer. [1] The downloads come as a Windows installer, a portable zip, a macOS zip, a Debian or Ubuntu .deb file or a Linux tar.gz, all from GitHub releases. [1] Pick the one that matches your system.

Free for everyone; business use needs a licence (PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0). [1]

Try VectorMagik

Sources

  1. VectorMagik's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher)

Related comparisons