Laser engravings remain attached to parts after cutting

Published on

Laser artwork now stays on the material as you cut, including images that span several finished pieces.

Sawdust has a laser cutter and laser engraver tool, so you can cut paths and etch images into your projects. The engraving is preserved when the material beneath it is cut into separate parts. Each part retains the portion of the artwork within its outline, including its placement and rotation on the engraved face, just like in the real world.

This supports designs such as four coasters cut from one engraved image or a sign plate cut from an engraved sheet. The Four-Up Coasters example demonstrates the sequence. Engraving depth records design intent; it does not specify power and speed settings for a physical laser.

Would you like to use Sawdust to generate g-code for your laser? Let us know! We're adding features all the time.

Four square coasters separated by a small gap, each carrying part of one engraved image: the Sawdust logo, featuring a stylized sawblade with a pile of sawdust.

For instructions, see How to split one engraving across four coasters, How to lay out a laser-cut design in Sawdust.