Lesson Eleven: Starburst

Create a Starburst Design with CutArt

This lesson shows how to Mirror a CutArt to create a Scrolled Starburst design.

Mirror Definition

The Mirror function will create a Mirror copy of the selected object along a selected axis in Trace and Visualize.

CutArt Definition

CutArt™ are simple shapes and design elements created by Wizard.

CutArts can be applied to your current design and resized and rotated. They can be Cut, Debossed, Penned or cut on Vinyl.

Design Template in FrameShop

Place a one Layer 4 x 5" #506 Star Template on the FrameShop Design Editor.

Template Definition

Templates are specialized parametric shape generators created by Wizard.

Many of the templates have additional Properties that can be edited which can change the shape, curves and corners of the design as well as a wide assortment of Parameters.

The Template Library displays the different templates that are available for use.

Click on the Properties tab.
Click on the Parameters tab.
Change the No. of Points to 6.
Change the Spikiness to 0.
Change the Mode to 2.
Change the Line Length to 2.85".

Parameters Definition

The Parameters are a set of specified variable characteristics related to the selected object that can be modified through the accompanying fields in Designer.

For example, the Chamfer is the symmetrical angled surface at the corner of the Template.

In Designer, the Template Parameter Map displays a diagram describing each parameter field for the current Template.

Place a CutArt in the Editor
Click on the Openings tab. Click the Add CutArt button. CutArt Definition CutArt™ are simple shapes and design elements created by Wizard. CutArts can be applied to your current design and resized and rotated. They can be Cut, Debossed, Penned or cut on Vinyl.
Select the desired CutArt by either searching for it in the search field or by navigating through the directories. I selected ScrollAN for the CutArt. Click the Edit button. CutArt Definition CutArt™ are simple shapes and design elements created by Wizard. CutArts can be applied to your current design and resized and rotated. They can be Cut, Debossed, Penned or cut on Vinyl.
The CutArt is placed on the Editor. CutArt Definition CutArt™ are simple shapes and design elements created by Wizard. CutArts can be applied to your current design and resized and rotated. They can be Cut, Debossed, Penned or cut on Vinyl.
Move the CutArt so that it is aligned with the Top of the Star Template. If you accidentally click off of the CutArt and it moves behind the Star, hit the PgUp/PgDn key to cycle through the Openings. CutArt Definition CutArt™ are simple shapes and design elements created by Wizard. CutArts can be applied to your current design and resized and rotated. They can be Cut, Debossed, Penned or cut on Vinyl. Template Definition Templates are specialized parametric shape generators created by Wizard. Many of the templates have additional Properties that can be edited which can change the shape, curves and corners of the design as well as a wide assortment of Parameters. The Template Library displays the different templates that are available for use.

Bring Design into Trace

Bring the design into Trace via the Right-Click Menu* or from the Cut Preview Screen.
- *If you use the Right-Click method, hold down the CTRL key and select both openings before selecting Convert to CutArt.

CutArt Definition

CutArt™ are simple shapes and design elements created by Wizard.

CutArts can be applied to your current design and resized and rotated. They can be Cut, Debossed, Penned or cut on Vinyl.

Template Definition

Templates are specialized parametric shape generators created by Wizard.

Many of the templates have additional Properties that can be edited which can change the shape, curves and corners of the design as well as a wide assortment of Parameters.

The Template Library displays the different templates that are available for use.

Draw Alignment Lines
We will add some Alignment Lines that we will use to Mirror the CutArt. You can Mirror the CutArt without the Alignment Lines, but adding them will help illustrate the process. Click the Line button on the Trace and Draw tab. The Draw radio button is automatically selected. Right-Click on the Center Point of one of the Lines of the Polygon. Line Definition The Line tool in Trace will draw a Two-Point Line. The Line is defined by two points: the Initial Position and the Terminating Position (which are called “anchors”). After it is drawn, a third point in the Center is displayed, which can be moved to alter the Line into an Arc. Mirror Definition The Mirror function will create a Mirror copy of the selected object along a selected axis in Trace and Visualize.
Right-Click on the Center Point of the opposite Line of the Polygon. The Line is placed. Line Definition The Line tool in Trace will draw a Two-Point Line. The Line is defined by two points: the Initial Position and the Terminating Position (which are called “anchors”). After it is drawn, a third point in the Center is displayed, which can be moved to alter the Line into an Arc.
Do the same with the other sides of the Polygon, Right-Clicking and Snapping to the Center Point then Snapping to the Center Point on the opposite Point. Line Definition The Line tool in Trace will draw a Two-Point Line. The Line is defined by two points: the Initial Position and the Terminating Position (which are called “anchors”). After it is drawn, a third point in the Center is displayed, which can be moved to alter the Line into an Arc.

Mirror the CutArt
Click on the Edit radio button. Hold down the CTRL key and click on both the Inner and the Outside of the CutArt. Click the Mirror button. CutArt Definition CutArt™ are simple shapes and design elements created by Wizard. CutArts can be applied to your current design and resized and rotated. They can be Cut, Debossed, Penned or cut on Vinyl. Mirror Definition The Mirror function will create a Mirror copy of the selected object along a selected axis in Trace and Visualize.
Right-Click on the point where the Upper Left Line begins.
Right-Click on the end of the Line at the Lower Right side. The CutArt has been Mirrored using the Line we drew as the axis. Line Definition The Line tool in Trace will draw a Two-Point Line. The Line is defined by two points: the Initial Position and the Terminating Position (which are called “anchors”). After it is drawn, a third point in the Center is displayed, which can be moved to alter the Line into an Arc. CutArt Definition CutArt™ are simple shapes and design elements created by Wizard. CutArts can be applied to your current design and resized and rotated. They can be Cut, Debossed, Penned or cut on Vinyl. Mirror Definition The Mirror function will create a Mirror copy of the selected object along a selected axis in Trace and Visualize.
Hold down the CTRL key and select the elements of the next CutArt. Click the Mirror button. Right-Click at each end of the Alignment Line. CutArt Definition CutArt™ are simple shapes and design elements created by Wizard. CutArts can be applied to your current design and resized and rotated. They can be Cut, Debossed, Penned or cut on Vinyl. Mirror Definition The Mirror function will create a Mirror copy of the selected object along a selected axis in Trace and Visualize.
The CutArt as been Mirrored using the Line we drew as the axis. CutArt Definition CutArt™ are simple shapes and design elements created by Wizard. CutArts can be applied to your current design and resized and rotated. They can be Cut, Debossed, Penned or cut on Vinyl. Mirror Definition The Mirror function will create a Mirror copy of the selected object along a selected axis in Trace and Visualize. Line Definition The Line tool in Trace will draw a Two-Point Line. The Line is defined by two points: the Initial Position and the Terminating Position (which are called “anchors”). After it is drawn, a third point in the Center is displayed, which can be moved to alter the Line into an Arc.
Repeat the process. Select all of the Objects of the next CutArt, click the Mirror button, then Snap to each end of the Alignment Line. CutArt Definition CutArt™ are simple shapes and design elements created by Wizard. CutArts can be applied to your current design and resized and rotated. They can be Cut, Debossed, Penned or cut on Vinyl. Mirror Definition The Mirror function will create a Mirror copy of the selected object along a selected axis in Trace and Visualize. Line Definition The Line tool in Trace will draw a Two-Point Line. The Line is defined by two points: the Initial Position and the Terminating Position (which are called “anchors”). After it is drawn, a third point in the Center is displayed, which can be moved to alter the Line into an Arc.
The CutArt has been Mirrored all the way around the design. CutArt Definition CutArt™ are simple shapes and design elements created by Wizard. CutArts can be applied to your current design and resized and rotated. They can be Cut, Debossed, Penned or cut on Vinyl. Mirror Definition The Mirror function will create a Mirror copy of the selected object along a selected axis in Trace and Visualize.

Break all Intersections

Now we want to Break All of the Intersections where the Lines and Arcs pass over the other Lines/Arcs.

Click Edit > Break all Intersections.

Break Definition

The Break tool is used to Bisect the Selected Segments at the points where they Intersect in the Trace software.

The Break All Intersections function bisect ALL Segments in the design at the points where they intersect with another segment in the Trace software.

Line Definition

The Line tool in Trace will draw a Two-Point Line.

The Line is defined by two points: the Initial Position and the Terminating Position (which are called “anchors”).

After it is drawn, a third point in the Center is displayed, which can be moved to alter the Line into an Arc.

Arc Definition

The Arc Tool tool function allows you to draw a three-point mathematically defined curve in the Trace software.

The Arc has three points: the Initial Position and the Terminating Position (which are called "anchors") and one separate Middle point (which is called a "handle") which can be moved to change the shape of the Arc.

Spline Definition

The Curve function allows you to draw a four-point mathematically defined Bezier/Spline Curve in the Trace software.

The Bezier/Spline Curve is defined by four points: the Initial Position and the Terminating Position (which are called "Anchors") and two separate Middle Points (which are called "Handles"), which can be moved to alter the shape.

The Intersections are now Broken where the objects crossed over each other.

Break Definition

The Break tool is used to Bisect the Selected Segments at the points where they Intersect in the Trace software.

The Break All Intersections function bisect ALL Segments in the design at the points where they intersect with another segment in the Trace software.

Join Segments
We will now Join all of the segments that will make up the outside of the design. Hold down the CTRL key and click on the Left Side of the Top CutArt. Click on the Arcs just outside of the Polygon. Click on the Right Side of the Top CutArt. CutArt Definition CutArt™ are simple shapes and design elements created by Wizard. CutArts can be applied to your current design and resized and rotated. They can be Cut, Debossed, Penned or cut on Vinyl. Arc Definition The Arc Tool tool function allows you to draw a three-point mathematically defined curve in the Trace software. The Arc has three points: the Initial Position and the Terminating Position (which are called "anchors") and one separate Middle point (which is called a "handle") which can be moved to change the shape of the Arc. Spline Definition The Curve function allows you to draw a four-point mathematically defined Bezier/Spline Curve in the Trace software. The Bezier/Spline Curve is defined by four points: the Initial Position and the Terminating Position (which are called "Anchors") and two separate Middle Points (which are called "Handles"), which can be moved to alter the shape.
Continue in this manner until you have selected all of the Elements that make up the outside of the design. Click the Join button. The segments are now Joined together as one object. Join Definition The Join button will connect the selected segments together as one object in Trace. The Auto Join Segments button will automatically join adjacent segments together in Trace.
Zoom in to the Center of the design. If you click on one of the Inner Openings, you will see that it is not a complete enclosed object since we Broke the Intersections where the Arcs crossed one another. Click on one of the Inner Openings and click the Close button. The Inner Openings is now an enclosed entity. Break Definition The Break tool is used to Bisect the Selected Segments at the points where they Intersect in the Trace software. The Break All Intersections function bisect ALL Segments in the design at the points where they intersect with another segment in the Trace software. Arc Definition The Arc Tool tool function allows you to draw a three-point mathematically defined curve in the Trace software. The Arc has three points: the Initial Position and the Terminating Position (which are called "anchors") and one separate Middle point (which is called a "handle") which can be moved to change the shape of the Arc. Spline Definition The Curve function allows you to draw a four-point mathematically defined Bezier/Spline Curve in the Trace software. The Bezier/Spline Curve is defined by four points: the Initial Position and the Terminating Position (which are called "Anchors") and two separate Middle Points (which are called "Handles"), which can be moved to alter the shape.
Do the same with the other Inner Openings to enclose them one at a time (highlighted here).
Hold down the CTRL key and click on each inner Arc of the combined CutArts. Click the Join button. Arc Definition The Arc Tool tool function allows you to draw a three-point mathematically defined curve in the Trace software. The Arc has three points: the Initial Position and the Terminating Position (which are called "anchors") and one separate Middle point (which is called a "handle") which can be moved to change the shape of the Arc. Spline Definition The Curve function allows you to draw a four-point mathematically defined Bezier/Spline Curve in the Trace software. The Bezier/Spline Curve is defined by four points: the Initial Position and the Terminating Position (which are called "Anchors") and two separate Middle Points (which are called "Handles"), which can be moved to alter the shape. CutArt Definition CutArt™ are simple shapes and design elements created by Wizard. CutArts can be applied to your current design and resized and rotated. They can be Cut, Debossed, Penned or cut on Vinyl. Join Definition The Join button will connect the selected segments together as one object in Trace. The Auto Join Segments button will automatically join adjacent segments together in Trace.
The Arcs are now Joined together as one object. Arc Definition The Arc Tool tool function allows you to draw a three-point mathematically defined curve in the Trace software. The Arc has three points: the Initial Position and the Terminating Position (which are called "anchors") and one separate Middle point (which is called a "handle") which can be moved to change the shape of the Arc. Spline Definition The Curve function allows you to draw a four-point mathematically defined Bezier/Spline Curve in the Trace software. The Bezier/Spline Curve is defined by four points: the Initial Position and the Terminating Position (which are called "Anchors") and two separate Middle Points (which are called "Handles"), which can be moved to alter the shape. Join Definition The Join button will connect the selected segments together as one object in Trace. The Auto Join Segments button will automatically join adjacent segments together in Trace.

Convert to Splines/Tangify

Click Edit > Convert Arcs to Splines. The Splines can be Tangified with less distortion, which will give a smoother cutting path for the design.
Click on Edit > Tangify all Circuits. This makes each Arc Tangent to each other for smoother cutting.

Convert Arc to Splines

Click Edit > Convert Arc to Splines to convert the Arcs into Bezier Splines. Splines can be Tangified with less distortion, which will give a smoother cutting path for the design in Trace.

Arc Definition

The Arc Tool tool function allows you to draw a three-point mathematically defined curve in the Trace software.

The Arc has three points: the Initial Position and the Terminating Position (which are called "anchors") and one separate Middle point (which is called a "handle") which can be moved to change the shape of the Arc.

Spline Definition

The Curve button allows you to draw a mathematically defined Bezier/Spline Curve in the Trace software.

The Bezier/Spline Curve is defined by four points: the Initial Position and the Terminating Position (which are called "Anchors") and Two Separate Middle Points (which are called "Handles"), which can be moved to change the shape of the Curve.

Tangify Definition

The Tangify function will smooth the connection between the Selected Arc Circuits that are below the specified Angle in the Tangify field to provide a smoother cutting transition between the arcs.

The Tangify All Circuits will smooth the connection between All of the Arc Circuits that are below the specified Angle in the Tangify field to provide a smoother cutting transition between the arcs.

Trace the Design
Click the Set Bevels tab. Hold down the CTRL key and click on each segment that makes up the CutArt. From the Deboss dropdown control, selected the desired Deboss Cartridge. Bevel Type Definition The Bevel Type is the Angle that the blade cuts on the Matboard/Fallout surface when it is not cut at a 90° Right Angle. Traced Definition Tracing the Design provides the Bevel Type and other necessary information to the Vector design in order to either Cut or apply a Non-Blade Tool on the CMC. The Set Bevels Tab in Trace contains the tools needed to Trace the design. Deboss Definition The Deboss cartridge stylus presses onto the surface of the matboard to create a subtle design. There are three Deboss stylus sizes: Wide, Medium, Thin. In addition to Templates, you can also Deboss CutArts, LetterMats and TTFs.
Click on the Deboss Set button. Deboss Definition The Deboss cartridge stylus presses onto the surface of the matboard to create a subtle design. There are three Deboss stylus sizes: Wide, Medium, Thin. In addition to Templates, you can also Deboss CutArts, LetterMats and TTFs.
The CutArt is traced as a Deboss. CutArt Definition CutArt™ are simple shapes and design elements created by Wizard. CutArts can be applied to your current design and resized and rotated. They can be Cut, Debossed, Penned or cut on Vinyl. Deboss Definition The Deboss cartridge stylus presses onto the surface of the matboard to create a subtle design. There are three Deboss stylus sizes: Wide, Medium, Thin. In addition to Templates, you can also Deboss CutArts, LetterMats and TTFs.

Rotate the CutArt

Now we want to Rotate the CutArt to be more symmetrically balanced. Select one of the two choices below to continue this lesson:

Rotate in Trace Definition

The Rotation function in Trace is the action of rotating the selected object(s) around an axis or center by the specified number of degrees.

Rotate in Designer Definition

The Rotation function in Designer is the action of rotating the selected object(s) around an axis or center by the specified number of degrees.

CutArt Definition

CutArt™ are simple shapes and design elements created by Wizard.

CutArts can be applied to your current design and resized and rotated. They can be Cut, Debossed, Penned or cut on Vinyl.

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Lesson Eleven: Starburst

Create a Starburst Design with CutArt

Design Template in FrameShop

Place a CutArt in the Editor

Bring Design into Trace

Draw Alignment Lines

Mirror the CutArt

Break all Intersections

Join Segments

Convert to Splines/Tangify

Trace the Design

Rotate the CutArt