Using the Pencil tool & Node editing in LightBurn to generate outlines for engraving and jig making.

In this video I cover how to take a shape like a knife handle or knife blade and using the pencil tool quickly generate and accurate shape. This can be the bases for accurate engraving when a camera in not involved. It’s also a great skill to learn when making jig for multiple use scenarios.

[FranktheDachshund]

More than one way to climb a mountain, thank you for this!

[patriot]

Thank you Thank for! This is exactly what I wanted to see! I can now smooth my hand drawings. You’re the only one I’ve ever seen cover this!

[abbvx]

I fancy myself as pretty good with the bezier tool but I actually didn't even think of the method you used here haha. Thanks for increasing my mental toolbox!

[CrashPen]

I usually do this in Corel but the process is identical. You did mention taking the photo from straight on but I’d like to add to that by suggesting the photo be taken from further away and if possible, a longer focal length to help reduce errors in alignment. I also try to include a ruler in the photo to aid resizing and when resizing, do the whole object at one time with the furthest points possible to make things as precise as possible. A note on the ruler is to try and have it at the same elevation as your engraving surface. Again, a photo taken from further away really helps with parallax errors. My long thoughts but we’re on the same page.

[graceland]

This will come in handy when engraving my lathe made pen kits, thank you so much

[honda]

Thank you very much.So helpful
Merry Christmas from Turkiye

[PopsCustomSignsLLC]

This was a FANTASTIC lesson!! Thanks!!! Merry Christmas!!

[supext]

Great way to show options, thank you.

[xmrgwxw]

As always great stuff. I can't wait to try this out. Thanks and happy holidays!

[RaisingtheBARdesigns]

Always great content and thank you for sharing as I'm always learning so many small amazing details from your videos!

[philipershler]

In actuality, the node editing tool is producing bézier handles for you. You’ve been learning bézier concepts without even knowing about them. But I do agree that just defining the “corner” points first and then adjusting them is easier than starting with “bézier” corners first.

[rcamoonpie]

Great video!
For the life of me I can’t master that pencil tool either!

[karllaun]

A flatbed scanner is a good tool to get relatively distortion free images for tracing. If you scan in the right resolution, the image will be exactly in scale too. I use this method to make SMD solder stencils for small PCBs.

[jf]

Maybe a little longer than using trace image, but definitely a cleaner drawing! Nice video, I always like learning different ways of doing things.

[sachie]

Hey mate,
Thank you for sharing. I am someone who is just starting out and this is gold. Just wondering if we could achieve the same result with the onboard camera. I have not checked all your videos yet but is there a video that shows the frame option in practice?.
Ps: I have the exact looking scrap piece of mdf that was behind you at the start😁

[jimbauer]

Don't need rectangle to size just select your trace and set size off trace same thing

[Texas-wzdl]

Easier way to do this if you click smaller sections the pencil line will almost trace the line with very little editing of the nodes.