OAK MIDDLE SCHOOL DESIGN LAB
VECTOR GRAPHIC DESIGN
Raster vs Vector Graphics
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Before you jump into designing a vector graphic for the laser cutter or vinyl cutter, it's important to know the difference between raster and vector graphics.
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Raster graphics (jpg, png, gif) are the types of images we use every day. They are made up of tiny pixels. If these graphics are enlarged too much, they lose quality and become "pixelated" because the individual pixels are being stretched out too much.
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Vector graphics (svg, dxf, pdf) are made up of points, lines, and curves instead of pixels. They use mathematical expressions, which makes them infinitely scalable. A vector can easily be displayed on the side of a building!
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It’s important to understand vectors and how to design them because that is the file type needed to design projects for the laser cutter and vinyl cutter.
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Option 1: Design Your Own Vector Graphic
Click on the logos for tutorials and to learn more about each tool.​
Gravit Designer
(laser cutter or vinyl cutter)​
Gravit Designer is a good beginner/intermediate vector editing tool. It can be used to design vectors for both the vinyl cutter and laser cutter.
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Gravit Designer is a free online website that can be accessed from any computer.
It cannot be used on an iPad.
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Vectors made for the vinyl cutter will need to be opened in the Cricut Design Space app in order to be sent to the vinyl cutter. The easiest way to get the design to your iPad is probably through email.
Cricut Design Space
(vinyl cutter only)
Cricut Design Space is available as both a computer program and iPad app. We have had issues with the computer program, so we now just use the iPad app.
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This app is used to connect your iPad to the Cricut Maker vinyl cutter through Bluetooth. Even if you design something in Inkscape, you will still need to open it in this app to prepare for cutting.
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If you want to make a simple decal such as a name or basic logo, it's probably easier to just design it in Cricut Design Space. Its features are limited though, so more advanced designs should be done in Gravit Designer or Inkscape.
Inkscape
(laser cutter or vinyl cutter)​
Inkscape is an excellent intermediate/advanced vector editing tool. It has a higher learning curve compared to Gravit Designer, but it also used to design vectors for both the vinyl cutter and laser cutter.
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Inkscape is a computer program available to students in the computer lab. You can save your work to the school server or Google Drive.
It is not a website or an app.
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Vectors made for the vinyl cutter will need to be opened in the Cricut Design Space app in order to be sent to the vinyl cutter. The easiest way to get the design to your iPad is probably through email.
Polygonia Design Suite
(laser cutter or vinyl cutter)​
Polygonia Design Suite is a free online tool that lets you quickly create sophisticated designs that would be almost impossible to make otherwise. It's probably more useful for laser cutting projects but could also be used for the vinyl cutter.
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Polygonia can be used as a stand alone tool, but the final designs can also be imported directly into Inkscape or even Onshape (3D modeling) for further editing.
Option 2: Convert Raster Image Into a Vector Graphic
You may already have a specific raster image in mind that you want to cut out on the vinyl cutter. Again, raster files are the images you are used to. You have plenty of these on your phone and can find them in Google images. This doesn't always work, but there are times when it's easier to convert the raster image into a vector graphic rather than trying to redesign it.
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This works best with simple images such as line drawings, clipart, and logos.
It does not usually work well with camera photographs.
Method 1:
Online Converter
Method 2: Inkscape Bitmap Trace
These two websites let you upload a traditional raster image, and convert it into a vector graphic. Simpler images such as logos and clipart work better.
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The first method is more complex, but it usually gives better results. The Bitmap Trace feature in Inksape takes a normal raster (bitmap) image and slices it into different vector tracings. You can choose which tracing gives the best result for what you need.
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Refer to the two videos below for more details.
Option 3: Download a vector graphic
The Noun Project is one of the largest collections online of free icons. These graphics can be downloaded as PNG files for free (raster images). You will need Mr. Mularella's log in info in order to download the icons SVG files (vectors).
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Back in the day, Mr. Mularella had a small side business making and selling candles. As a result, he collected quite the collection of vector graphics. You are now welcome to use these vectors for your projects! These are only available to students at Oak Middle School.
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