# Short guide to the use of laser cutting machines/Laboratory/Use of lines as cutting tools in laser cutting machines
## Use of lines as cutting tools in laser cutting machines

Even when lines are just a theoretical concept that we can think of or draw in a paper or computer, a laser beam can that follows its pat can be used to cut materials in order to use parts of the material and discard the remaining material. This use of laser is often seen in many movies as part of security measures of offices, laboratories and vaults.

### Straight lines

Straight lines allow to cut materials without the need of the use of scissors or other metallic tools, a laser (energy) is used instead.

#### Drawing straight lines

First, draw a line with the pen tool, then modify the line:
Give the line a position, for example x 1 y 1. It will be located in the upper left section of the illustrator canvas. The position of objects in illustrators when click in the select tool, then in the transform panel can choose the upper left dot to modify that dot of the object (or other dot). Chose a height 0, wide 1, this will be the length o the object from that point. If the height is 0 the line will be vertical.
If you want a longer or taller line, modify the height or wide to a bigger or smaller number front initial point to final point. This line is a vertical line, made to cut horizontal lines in illustrator.
To make vertical cuts, you will draw a rotate the line from vertical to horizontal in illustrator. To make bigger cuts increase the height or wide of the line.
Print the object and use the laser pointer to calculate the best position of the object in illustrator or during the printing step.

#### Use of straight lines to cut objects

The canvas in illustrator has the following corners, we will see them horizontal, when we print them in the laser cutting machine will print vertical.
The upper left corner The upper right The Bottom left The Bottom right
This will be the image of what will be cut in the laser cutting machine.
Note: If When we print the objects in the laser cutting software we see them rotated 90 degrees anticlockwise, use the follow as reference:
The upper left corner in illustrator will become the bottom left in in laser cutter machine The upper right in illustrator will become the upper left corner in the laser cutter canvas. The Bottom left in illustrator will become the bottom right. The Bottom right in illustrator will become the upper right corner of the printer machine.
The position of the object can be changed during the printing step in illustrator.
If more than one line will or section will be used, many lines could be drawn or copy/pasted, and move until all the section can be cut in one run.
If the object used is dark acrylic a piece of paper could be used to see the laser pointer.
Note: Even when you are using the same material and thickness, if the material is not changed and the thickness chose the material will only show a line, not a cut.
In case of need, rotate the lines: Click in selection tool, left click on the line, transform, rotate, 90 degrees or 180 degrees, etc.If necessary run the cutting more than one time.

### Curved lines

Curved lines can also be drawn, a applications for curved lines is the elimination of corners in squares without the need of cutting the whole square in a rounded shape.

#### Drawing straight lines

Use the curvature tool, and draw a curved line.

#### Use of straight lines to cut objects

Print the curved line and choose the position on the material, adjust the position of the material if necessary, cut the material with the rounded line.
If the line is too big, use the selection tool and change its size.

## See also

Short guide to the use of laser cutting machines/Use of Inkscape for Laser Cutting
Short guide to the use of laser cutting machines/Use of Adobe Illustrator for Laser Cutting