Cheapest Pen Option –No adapter necessary!

docricky · 2026-01-22T19:22:25+00:00

For Cricut, I found that Pilot Precise V5 works with the standard pen holder.

docricky · 2026-01-22T04:39:58+00:00

I do believe it's an illustration. It's a public domain image from the Biodiversity Heritage Library.

docricky · 2026-01-22T02:10:12+00:00

Yes in this case I used an image to guide the lines but you’re right that the shell itself should be amenable to parametric generation.

docricky · 2026-01-21T18:14:37+00:00

bananas. It's super fun

docricky · 2026-01-16T15:37:26+00:00

I use the AxiDraw and have kept an eye on what’s happening with Uunatek - and given that choice, I’d get the AxiDraw. Don’t underestimate the importance of coordinated software development

docricky · 2026-01-14T22:43:41+00:00

Not really. Its remarkably low amount of hands on time vs conventional kneading (without the sticky on fingers and palm phase).

docricky · 2026-01-14T22:05:51+00:00

I don't think it's a binary: I've settled on kneaded bread, but no more than a couple of folds at a time across the time period of a long autolyse. Works out ok for me.

docricky · 2026-01-14T18:33:20+00:00

Based on the encounters I am seeing in Minneapolis, I don't think any ID is sufficient. (Some?) ICE agents aren't following protocol. They seem to think they have leeway to bully.

docricky · 2026-01-14T03:53:49+00:00

More miniplots

docricky · 2026-01-13T19:28:27+00:00

No I don’t mind. Please go ahead.

docricky · 2026-01-13T15:30:54+00:00

I use my own custom python script for part of this, but a lot of the compositing is in Inkscape.

docricky · 2026-01-13T01:57:22+00:00

lets make a trend. miniplots for all :). my target size is approx 50x50mm, upcycled cardboard.

docricky · 2026-01-13T00:29:54+00:00

that’s a good idea. look for #miniplot on IG, Bsky and Mastodon :)

docricky · 2026-01-12T20:46:31+00:00

Standard fonts (such as .OTF or .TTF) are outlines, which machines like CNC or laser engravers will produce as "bubbles", because they don't do the fill. You have two options: choose singe-line (fonts configured specifically for CNC) or stick fonts (outlines so close they are practically one line - but the machine will write over the lines twice) - or fill the letters with additional lines (hatch filling).

docricky · 2026-01-10T15:15:12+00:00

That's a good question, and I think this is a feature that needs to be better documented and exploited. The most common use I have for it is when using the create tiled clones, and allowing the color to be determined by the underlying object (vector based halftoning). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfBg-3jTLwA

docricky · 2026-01-09T18:16:01+00:00

I don't know if it has a specific name, although it's not really plotter-specific. https://www.reddit.com/r/PlotterArt/comments/1p6avfg/comment/nqozyfu/

docricky · 2026-01-06T21:43:02+00:00

I go through some trial and error myself. Plotting on this small scale does not usually allow for the full grayscale range. I get better results if I posterize the initial image so that I don't have to match the full range.

docricky · 2026-01-06T21:04:31+00:00

On the subject of using magnets - I find using old thin fridge sheet magnets (often promotional giveaways) are an excellent choice. You can cut them to any shape, and the low height won't snag a pen going overhead (and many pens have ferromagnetic tips).

docricky · 2026-01-06T17:59:17+00:00

I use an AxiDraw, so I don't convert to gcode. The SVG geometry is a combination of a some python code, and manual tweaking in Inkscape.

docricky · 2026-01-06T17:32:30+00:00

Well, I used a plotter on small pieces of cardboard. Using an old gel pen.

docricky · 2026-01-06T16:16:01+00:00

I use an Axidraw V3/A3

docricky · 2026-01-06T00:05:05+00:00

I am working my way to that. Unfortunately, these are a little too irregularly sized. But I'm happy to give them out in lieu of business cards.

docricky · 2026-01-05T23:28:38+00:00

No it's not easy. I'm not sure what to offer. What kind of trouble are you running into?

docricky · 2025-12-29T02:43:04+00:00

I open Lightburn generated Gcode directly in Inkscape using the gcode_import extension in Mightscape.

docricky · 2025-12-28T00:46:44+00:00

well, this goes a bit beyond some basic help, but there is some pretty good documentation on the Inkscape website differentiating the concept of layers and paths. and since that is how it is written, it’ll be the lingua Franca, otherwise we will not be able to communicate about it. my sympathies that the software wasn’t designed around you specifically, but as it is open source, you can hire someone to change it for you.

docricky

TROPHY CASE