Lesson Fourteen: Multi-Layered Oval Inset

Creating a Multi-Layered Oval Inset
This lesson shows how to make a Multi-Layer Oval Inset mat.

Design in FrameShop, Bring into PathTrace

Place an 8.75 x 11.75” #102 Oval Template with two Layers on the FrameShop Design Editor.
Bring in two small ovals that are 3x5.
Edit the small ovals and make them four layers.
- Width of the Inner Reveal is how much of the Inner Mat shows (i.e., .25).
- Width of the Middle Reveal is the width of the Bridge between the two objects (i.e., .5).
- Outer Reveal is the Inner Mat of the Bridge on the large object side (i.e., .25).

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 each of the openings before selecting Convert to CutArt.
The View from Back toggle toggles between viewing the design from the Front or from the Back of the mat.

Break All Intersections

Because of the complexity of this design, it may be easier to Break All of the Intersections and reconnect the desired Arcs.

Click Edit > Break all Intersections.
All intersecting Arcs are broken and each Arc section can be treated as a separate entity.

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.

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 / Close Circuit
The design has been Broken and consists of many tiny Arcs. Zoom In/Out as needed to select the smaller Arcs. 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.
Holding down the CTRL key, click on each segment that is forming the Inner Layer of the Lower Oval in the order they are sitting.
When the Oval is completely selected, click Join. 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 Oval is now a connected singular 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.
Connect the Arcs making up the next layer of the Bottom Oval in the same manner. 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.
Connect the Arcs for the Bottom Layer of the Top Oval. Notice that this will use Arcs from the original outer layer of the Bottom Oval, to form part of this Top Oval.
Connect the Arcs for the next layer of the Top Oval in the same manner.
Connect the Inner Layer of the Large Oval. Notice that this will use Arcs from the original Outer Layer of the Smaller Ovals, to form part of this Large Oval.
Connect the Arcs for the next layer of the Large Oval in the same manner.
The Ovals are now connected. NOTE: It is not necessary to delete the leftover Arcs. Because the spare Arcs are not connected, the user can simply Trace the desired objects. The leftover Arcs are deleted here for illustration purposes. 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. 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.

Tangify/Convert to Splines

Click Edit > Tangify all Circuits.
Click Edit > Convert Arcs to Splines.

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.

Convert Arcs to Splines Definition

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.

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.

Remove Layers
Go to the Set Bevels Tab. Select and delete two of the layers by clicking Remove. The two layers we will trace this design on will remain.

Trace, Save, Cut

Trace, Save and Cut the design.

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.

Comparison
You can see how much we changed the design when you compare it to the original version.

Search

Click here to check out our new How To section">Click here to check out our new How To section

Lesson Fourteen: Multi-Layered Oval Inset

Creating a Multi-Layered Oval Inset

Design in FrameShop, Bring into PathTrace

Bring Design into Trace

Break All Intersections

Join Segments / Close Circuit

Tangify/Convert to Splines

Remove Layers

Trace, Save, Cut

Comparison