Create Your First CNC Project
Build a simple wooden nameplate in Laetoly: draw a frame, add text and a decoration, set the toolpath types and cutting depth, then generate and preview the toolpath.
Table of Contents▼
Overview
This tutorial walks through a complete first design in Laetoly Web: a simple wooden nameplate made of an outer frame, a line of text and a small decoration. By the end you will have set a toolpath type for each shape, chosen a cutting depth, generated the toolpath and checked it in the preview. It does not cover connecting or running a machine; that comes in the next tutorial.
Step 1: Start a new project
Log in to Laetoly. The project list opens first. Click New Project to get a blank canvas.
Step 2: Draw the outer frame
Choose the Rectangle tool and add a rectangle to the canvas. You can adjust its size later.
Open the Cut properties. Laetoly offers two toolpath types here: On-path and Pocket. Set the rectangle to On-path; this gives the basic outline.
Step 3: Add text
Click the Text tool and enter a name, for example "Maker". Then click Add to. Resize the text and move it where you want it inside the frame.
Step 4: Add a decoration
Open the Design Library. Choose an icon, or search for one by keyword, and double-click it to add it to the canvas. Place it next to the text and resize it to fit the layout, then set it to On-path.
You can also add another graphic and set it to Pocket.
Step 5: Set the cutting depth
Select a shape and set its cutting depth. The example in the video uses 3 millimeters. Laetoly then provides the machining parameters for that setup.
Step 6: Generate and check the toolpath
Open the Job Panel and click Generate Toolpath. Laetoly calculates the toolpath and shows a preview of how the machine will follow it. Check the result carefully. If it looks right, the project is ready.
Next steps
- Connect Your Machine shows how to link your computer to the machine.
- Drawing Tools, Libraries and 3D Preview in the Wiki describe each tool in more detail.