Preparing the file
In order to use digital fabrication machines at FabLab you need a file in the right format because the trajectories used by the machines are determined by 2D or 3D model. There are two computers in Fablab that are meant for designing files. Computers include eg. these software:
Creative cloud
-Photoshop
-InDesign
-Adobe Premiere Pro
-Illustrator
-Adobe XD
-Acrobat DC
Fusion360
Solidworks
3D printers
For 3D printing you need to have 3D file that you can get by designing it yourself by using desing software, by scanning an object with a 3D scanner and then printing it or by finding a ready made file from the internet. Good file format for 3D printing is for stl. For 3D modelling you can use for example the following software:
– OnShape (can be downloaded for free)
– Google SketchUp (can be downloaded for free)
– SolidWorks (Fablab, Hervanta Campus library)
– Fusion 360
Laser cutters
The Fablab laser cutters are guided with Adobe Illustrator software. For the laser cutter you need a file that is in vector format; any file format that can be opened up in Adobe illustrator is suitable. Suitable file formats are e.g. dxf 2010 version, pdf and dwg 2007 version. For 2D modelling you can use for example the following software:
– SolidWorks (Fablab, Hervanta Campus library)
– Adobe Illustrator (FabLab)
– InkScape (can be downloaded for free), see Fablab Factory’s short instructions about how to work with inkScape
– OnShape (can be downloaded for free)
Other machines
You can find the suitable file formats for each machine in the appropriate user manual. See more information from Machines-section.