Lesson Fourteen: Multi-Layered Oval Inset

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

Design in FrameShop, Bring into Trace

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 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).

Templates Definition

Templates are specialized parametric shape generators created by Wizard that can be cut or applied with the non-blade cartridges.
- Full Definition: Templates Definition

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.

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.

Break All Intersections Definition

The Break All Intersections function bisects all segments in the design where they intersect in Trace.
- Full Definition: Break All Intersections Definition

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.
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 Tool Definition The Join button will connect the selected segments together as one object in Trace. Full Definition: Join Tool Definition
The Oval is now a connected singular object.
Connect the Arcs making up the next layer of the Bottom Oval in the same manner.
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.

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.
The degree of tangification is set in the Tangify field; the default is six degrees.

Convert Arc to Splines

The Convert Arc to Splines process will convert the Arcs to Splines which are easier to Tangify and make cuts smoother.
- Full Definition: Convert Arc to Splines Definition

Tangify All Circuits Definition

The Tangify All Circuits function smooths the connection between all Arc Circuits of the design containing any angles below the specified degree in the Tangent Threshold field.
- Full Definition: Tangify All Circuits Definition

Trace the Design
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.
Click on the Top Layer. Hold down the Ctrl key and click on the each of the outside openings. Select the desired Bevel Type then click Set. The outside openings of this design turn the color of the Bevel Type selected.
Click on the Bottom Layer. Hold down the Ctrl key and click on the each of the inside openings. Select the desired Bevel Type then click Set. The inside openings of this design turn the color of the Bevel Type selected. The design is now completely traced. Traced 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.