Lesson Eleven: Starburst

Create a Starburst Design with CutArt

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

See Trace Keyboard Shortcuts.

Mirror Definition

The Mirror/wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942694450function will create a Mirror copy of the selected object along the selected axis in Trace and the Design Editor and mirror the image horizontally in Visualize.

See: Mirror in Trace Function

See: Mirror CutArt in the Design Editor

See: Mirror Image in Visualization

CutArt Definition

CutArt™ are simple shapes and design elements created by Wizard that can be added to designs.

CutArts can be applied to your current design and edited, such as resizing and rotating.

They can be Cut, Debossed, Penned or cut on Vinyl.

See: Add CutArt Function

Design Template in FrameShop
First we need to make sure we are designing the layers in the correct order for these instructions. On the FrameShop Main Page, click Admin and stay on the Defaults tab. Under Layer Direction select Bottom Up if it is not already set to that. Click Save and return to the Main Page. You can change this back to the original setting later if desired. Layer Direction: Bottom Up is the preferred direction. When you Offset an object to create another layer, that new layer will be the Top layer. Layer Direction: Top Down is not recommended. When you Offset an object to create another layer, that new layer will be the Bottom layer, even though it is larger than the original object.
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. See: Template Properties See: Template Library
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 set of specified variable characteristics related to the selected object that can be modified through the accompanying fields in the Design Editor. For example, the Chamfer is the symmetrical angled surface at the corner of the Template. In the Design Editor, 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.
Select the desired CutArt by either searching for it in the search field or by navigating through the directories. This example uses ScrollAN for the CutArt. Click the Edit button.
The CutArt is placed on the Editor.
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. 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. See: Template Properties See: Template Library

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.

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.

See: Template Properties

See: Template Library

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/wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942694019tool in Trace will draw a Two-Point Line. The Line is defined by two points: Initial Position (called an Anchor) and the Terminating Position (called an Anchor). After it is drawn, a third point in the Center will be displayed, which can be moved to alter the line into an /wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942509136. See: Line Tool Function Mirror Definition The Mirror/wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942694450function will create a Mirror copy of the selected object along the selected axis in Trace and the Design Editor and mirror the image horizontally in Visualize. See: Mirror in Trace Function See: Mirror CutArt in the Design Editor See: Mirror Image in Visualization
Right-Click on the Center Point of the opposite Line of the Polygon. The Line is placed. Line Definition The Line/wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942694019tool in Trace will draw a Two-Point Line. The Line is defined by two points: Initial Position (called an Anchor) and the Terminating Position (called an Anchor). After it is drawn, a third point in the Center will be displayed, which can be moved to alter the line into an /wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942509136. See: Line Tool Function
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/wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942694019tool in Trace will draw a Two-Point Line. The Line is defined by two points: Initial Position (called an Anchor) and the Terminating Position (called an Anchor). After it is drawn, a third point in the Center will be displayed, which can be moved to alter the line into an /wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942509136. See: Line Tool Function

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. Mirror Definition The Mirror/wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942694450function will create a Mirror copy of the selected object along the selected axis in Trace and the Design Editor and mirror the image horizontally in Visualize. See: Mirror in Trace Function See: Mirror CutArt in the Design Editor See: Mirror Image in Visualization
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/wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942694019tool in Trace will draw a Two-Point Line. The Line is defined by two points: Initial Position (called an Anchor) and the Terminating Position (called an Anchor). After it is drawn, a third point in the Center will be displayed, which can be moved to alter the line into an /wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942509136. See: Line Tool Function Mirror Definition The Mirror/wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942694450function will create a Mirror copy of the selected object along the selected axis in Trace and the Design Editor and mirror the image horizontally in Visualize. See: Mirror in Trace Function See: Mirror CutArt in the Design Editor See: Mirror Image in Visualization
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. Mirror Definition The Mirror/wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942694450function will create a Mirror copy of the selected object along the selected axis in Trace and the Design Editor and mirror the image horizontally in Visualize. See: Mirror in Trace Function See: Mirror CutArt in the Design Editor See: Mirror Image in Visualization
The CutArt as been Mirrored using the Line we drew as the axis. Mirror Definition The Mirror/wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942694450function will create a Mirror copy of the selected object along the selected axis in Trace and the Design Editor and mirror the image horizontally in Visualize. See: Mirror in Trace Function See: Mirror CutArt in the Design Editor See: Mirror Image in Visualization Line Definition The Line/wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942694019tool in Trace will draw a Two-Point Line. The Line is defined by two points: Initial Position (called an Anchor) and the Terminating Position (called an Anchor). After it is drawn, a third point in the Center will be displayed, which can be moved to alter the line into an /wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942509136. See: Line Tool Function
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. Mirror Definition The Mirror/wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942694450function will create a Mirror copy of the selected object along the selected axis in Trace and the Design Editor and mirror the image horizontally in Visualize. See: Mirror in Trace Function See: Mirror CutArt in the Design Editor See: Mirror Image in Visualization Line Definition The Line/wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942694019tool in Trace will draw a Two-Point Line. The Line is defined by two points: Initial Position (called an Anchor) and the Terminating Position (called an Anchor). After it is drawn, a third point in the Center will be displayed, which can be moved to alter the line into an /wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942509136. See: Line Tool Function
The CutArt has been Mirrored all the way around the design. Mirror Definition The Mirror/wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942694450function will create a Mirror copy of the selected object along the selected axis in Trace and the Design Editor and mirror the image horizontally in Visualize. See: Mirror in Trace Function See: Mirror CutArt in the Design Editor See: Mirror Image in Visualization

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

The Break All Intersections function bisects ALL Segments in the design where they intersect in the Trace software.

See: Break All Intersections Function

Line Definition

The Line/wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942694019tool in Trace will draw a Two-Point Line.

The Line is defined by two points: Initial Position (called an Anchor) and the Terminating Position (called an Anchor).

After it is drawn, a third point in the Center will be displayed, which can be moved to alter the line into an /wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942509136.

See: Line Tool Function

Arc Definition

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

The /wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942694083 has three points: Initial Position (called an Anchor), Middle Point (called a Handle) which can be moved to change the shape of the Arc, and Terminating Position (called an Anchor).

The /wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942692800 process will convert the Arcs to Splines which are easier to tangify to make cuts smoother.

See: Arc Tool in Trace

See: Arc Tool Definition/wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942694083

See: Splines Definition

See: Convert Arc to Splines Function

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: Initial Position (called an Anchor), Two Separate Middle Points (called Handles) which can be moved to alter the shape, and the Terminating Position (called an Anchor)

The Convert Arc to Splines process will convert any Arcs to Splines/Curves which are easier to tangify to make cuts smoother.

See: Arc Definition

See: Arcs Tool Function

See: Splines Definition

See: Splines Tool Function

See: Convert Arc to Splines Function

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

Break Definition

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

The Break All Intersections function bisects ALL Segments in the design where they intersect in the Trace software.

See: Break All Intersections Function

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. Arc Definition The Arc tool allows you to draw a three-point mathematically defined arc in the Trace software. The /wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942694083 has three points: Initial Position (called an Anchor), Middle Point (called a Handle) which can be moved to change the shape of the Arc, and Terminating Position (called an Anchor). The /wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942692800 process will convert the Arcs to Splines which are easier to tangify to make cuts smoother. See: Arc Tool in Trace See: Arc Tool Definition/wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942694083 See: Splines Definition See: Convert Arc to Splines Function 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: Initial Position (called an Anchor), Two Separate Middle Points (called Handles) which can be moved to alter the shape, and the Terminating Position (called an Anchor) The Convert Arc to Splines process will convert any Arcs to Splines/Curves which are easier to tangify to make cuts smoother. See: Arc Definition See: Arcs Tool Function See: Splines Definition See: Splines Tool Function See: Convert Arc to Splines Function
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 All Adjacent Segments together in Trace. See: Join Tool Function See: Auto Join Segments Function
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 tool is used to Bisect the Selected Segments at the point where they Intersect in the Trace software. The Break All Intersections function bisects ALL Segments in the design where they intersect in the Trace software. See: Break All Intersections Function Arc Definition The Arc tool allows you to draw a three-point mathematically defined arc in the Trace software. The /wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942694083 has three points: Initial Position (called an Anchor), Middle Point (called a Handle) which can be moved to change the shape of the Arc, and Terminating Position (called an Anchor). The /wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942692800 process will convert the Arcs to Splines which are easier to tangify to make cuts smoother. See: Arc Tool in Trace See: Arc Tool Definition/wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942694083 See: Splines Definition See: Convert Arc to Splines Function 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: Initial Position (called an Anchor) Two Separate Middle Points (called Handles) which can be moved to alter the shape. Terminating Position (called an Anchor) Splines are easier to handle in the software than Arcs for tangification which makes the cuts smoother between arcs. The Convert Arc to Splines process will convert the Arcs to Splines for software simplification purposes. Arcs are provided for those that prefer to draw with them. See: Arc Tool in Trace See: Arc Tool Definition/wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942694083 See: Splines Definition See: Convert Arc to Splines Function
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 allows you to draw a three-point mathematically defined arc in the Trace software. The /wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942694083 has three points: Initial Position (called an Anchor), Middle Point (called a Handle) which can be moved to change the shape of the Arc, and Terminating Position (called an Anchor). The /wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942692800 process will convert the Arcs to Splines which are easier to tangify to make cuts smoother. See: Arc Tool in Trace See: Arc Tool Definition/wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942694083 See: Splines Definition See: Convert Arc to Splines Function 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: Initial Position (called an Anchor) Two Separate Middle Points (called Handles) which can be moved to alter the shape. Terminating Position (called an Anchor) Splines are easier to handle in the software than Arcs for tangification which makes the cuts smoother between arcs. The Convert Arc to Splines process will convert the Arcs to Splines for software simplification purposes. Arcs are provided for those that prefer to draw with them. See: Arc Tool in Trace See: Arc Tool Definition/wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942694083 See: Splines Definition See: Convert Arc to Splines Function Join Definition The Join button will connect the Selected Segments together as one object in Trace. The Auto Join Segments button will automatically join All Adjacent Segments together in Trace. See: Join Tool Function See: Auto Join Segments Function
The Arcs are now Joined together as one object. Arc Definition The Arc tool allows you to draw a three-point mathematically defined arc in the Trace software. The /wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942694083 has three points: Initial Position (called an Anchor), Middle Point (called a Handle) which can be moved to change the shape of the Arc, and Terminating Position (called an Anchor). The /wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942692800 process will convert the Arcs to Splines which are easier to tangify to make cuts smoother. See: Arc Tool in Trace See: Arc Tool Definition/wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942694083 See: Splines Definition See: Convert Arc to Splines Function 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: Initial Position (called an Anchor) Two Separate Middle Points (called Handles) which can be moved to alter the shape. Terminating Position (called an Anchor) Splines are easier to handle in the software than Arcs for tangification which makes the cuts smoother between arcs. The Convert Arc to Splines process will convert the Arcs to Splines for software simplification purposes. Arcs are provided for those that prefer to draw with them. See: Arc Tool in Trace See: Arc Tool Definition/wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942694083 See: Splines Definition See: Convert Arc to Splines Function Join Definition The Join button will connect the Selected Segments together as one object in Trace. The Auto Join Segments button will automatically join All Adjacent Segments together in Trace. See: Join Tool Function See: Auto Join Segments Function

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.

For Additional Information:
See Tangification Highlight Function for additional tangification features.

Convert Arc to Splines

The Convert Arc to Splines process will convert the Arcs to /wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942513851 which are easier to tangify to make cuts smoother.

See: Arcs Definition

See: Arcs Tool Function

See: Splines Definition

See: Splines Tool Function

See: Convert Arc to Splines Function

Arc Definition

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

The /wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942694083 has three points: Initial Position (called an Anchor), Middle Point (called a Handle) which can be moved to change the shape of the Arc, and Terminating Position (called an Anchor).

The /wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942692800 process will convert the Arcs to Splines which are easier to tangify to make cuts smoother.

See: Arc Tool in Trace

See: Arc Tool Definition/wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942694083

See: Splines Definition

See: Convert Arc to Splines Function

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: Initial Position (called an Anchor), Two Separate Middle Points (called Handles) which can be moved to alter the shape, and the Terminating Position (called an Anchor)

The Convert Arc to Splines process will convert any Arcs to Splines/Curves which are easier to tangify to make cuts smoother.

See: Arc Definition

See: Arcs Tool Function

See: Splines Definition

See: Splines Tool Function

See: Convert Arc to Splines Function

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.

See: Tangify Function

See: Tangify All Circuits Function

See: Arc Tool in Trace

See: Arc Tool Definition/wiki/spaces/FrameShop8x/pages/1942694083

See: Splines Definition

See: Convert Arc to Splines Function

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, select the desired Deboss Cartridge.
Click on the Deboss Set button.

Traced Definition

Tracing the Design provides the Bevel Type and other necessary information to the Vector design in order to either Cut or apply with a Non-Blade Tool on the CMC.

The Set Bevels Tab in Trace contains the tools needed to Trace the design.

See: Tracing 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 Template Shapes, you can also Deboss CutArts, LetterMats and TTFs.

See: Add Deboss Opening Function

See: Deboss Configurations

See: Deboss Thin Definition

See: Deboss Medium Definition

See: Deboss Wide Definition

The CutArt is traced as a Deboss.

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.

See: Rotate in Trace Function.

Rotate in Designer Definition

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

See: Rotation in the Design Editor Function

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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