DesignFind

Designing Step 1:

Finding the artwork, and deciding on the software.

There are many rabbit images, and the image I chose is a Chinese paper-cutting art design, this is a very popular and inexpensive way to decorate for holidays, and events....typically bright red paper are used, and detailed, intricate designs are cut out with a pair of household scissors.

I download the image and import it into the software I choose to use, which is Silhouette Studio, many of the functions I used are very common, and are available in different software, such as Inkscape, and AI...

Converting Raster Image to Vector Image

Tracing the PNG image

1. Enter the window for the tracing area, the area turns yellow,
2. Adjust the "scale", and "Threshold" to adjust the details of the final image
3. Enter "Trace", and wait for the yellow highlight to disappear, it will appear that nothing had changed, but there is a vector image created right under the original
4. Select the original, and move it to the side, if you see the new vector image, then go ahead and delete the original

Cleaning up and Fine Tuning the image

Step 1: Filling up the gaps

1. Fill the image with soft color, this help to see what is happening
2. Use "Release Compound Path" to break the image into individual geometries
3. Carefully select and delete the pieces you don't need
4. Select the whole thing and use "Subtract" to make the cut-out again

Cleaning up and Fine Tuning the image

Step 2:

Close up some open areas, to make the image outline more complete,

1. Adding appropriate geometries to connect the dots, "Point Editor" can help to smooth out the shape
2. Select everything and "Weld" them together

Cleaning up and Fine Tuning the image

Step 3: Delete or alter tiny geometries

1. Select the image, with "Release Compound Path" and break the image into separate pieces again
2. Carefully select and delete the unwanted tiny piece
3. Or use "Point Editor", to enlarge some of the pieces that you think you would like to stay.
4. Select everything, and "Subtract" to make the cut out again.

Cleaning up and Fine Tuning the image

Step 4: Simplifying the design

"point Editor" can help to manipulate and simplify some area

Cleaning up and Fine Tuning the image

Step 4: Flatten the Bottom

At this point, the design should be ready for cutting, but I'm preparing to make a standing lantern, so flattening the bottom edge will work a lot better.

1. Add a rounded corner rectangle to match the bottom of the rabbit
2. Use "Point Editor" to stretch the shape to fit
3. Then move the details in that area around to complete the design
4. Select everything and weld them together

Personalize it!!

Here are some samples for your reference

You can add images (which the Chinese characters are), add Text, and use the "Curve to shape" function to line the text according to the open area.

But Important to know that for the back side, you need to "redo" the text again, just by flipping the front horizontally, the text will be flipped as well.

Preparing the Body Parts:

1. Front Face layer
2. Back Face layer, just duplicate the front face layer and flip horizontally
3. Full Doughnut Ring Layer

a. Use "Release Compound Path" to break everything into pieces again, "weld" everything together into one solid piece

b. Use "Inward Offset" to create a geometry 0.1" smaller

c. Select both, and "Subtract" to create a 0.1' doughnut ring.

Cutout Doughnut Ring Layer

Insert a rectangle (size is determined by the light fixture) over the bottom edge of the doughnut ring, then select both, and

"Subtract" to create a cutout

Now all layers needed are prepared, save the file in SVG format and it is ready for cutting.

Processing

Open xTool Creative Space

Turn on M1, and connect XCS to M1

Turn on the Air purifier & Air Assist

Lay down the material which is cardboard in my case

Set to Laser flat, Automeasure the thickness of the material

Import the SVG file, place the image at the proper location on the material

Set to "score", with the setting of "70/10/1"

Click "Process"

I know, that I definitely need one front face and one back face, and 4 full doughnut rings, 2 for the front 2 for the back, as far as the cutout doughnut ring, it depends on the thickness of the material, it might vary, but I figure it should be anywhere from 10-14.

Dressing up - This step is entirely optional

Since I create and make this for the Chinese New Year celebration, and red is the lucky color for the Chinese, I decided to color the front and back face pieces red, maybe with a touch of gold accent, I was planning to add color cellophane paper behind the cutout, to create a stained glass look, I ended up deciding to against the idea, but you can still give it a try and see whether you like it or not.

Assembly

After the paint is dried, we are ready to put together the lantern. The real fun begins, we will see the design come to life. Putting it together is relatively easy, choose a glue you like, I like Aleen's Clear Gel Tacky glue, because of the texture, and it is less messy during the process.

I began by:

1. Laying the Front Face layer face down on the work surface
2. glue 2 layers of Full Doughnut Rings on the back side of the front face layer
3. then glue 10-12 layers of Cutout Doughnut Ring
4. add 2 more layers of Full Doughnut Ring
5. Now it is time to glue the LED Light Fixture ring, I like to use at least 2 of them, then secure the light fixture in place
6. Test the light fixture, and make sure the fixture is set properly and firmly
7. Finish up with the last layer which is the Back Face Layer

**Optional: at step 5, you can also add some string on top, in case that you decide to hang the lantern instead