Lesson Fourteen: Multi-Layered Oval Inset

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

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.

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 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.

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.

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: We removed the unused lines and arcs for clarity. This step is optional—feel free to do the same if you prefer.

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.

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.

Save and Cut the design.