My device makes noise related to the sliding of the rods through the bearings. You must use Inkscape 1.0 and the included extension files. Pictures on the manufacturer’s website are not 100% accurate, namely the pen holder.
Limited documentation and instructions from the manufacturer. Versatile pen holder, allowing for angled and vertical positions, and plenty of room for larger writing apparatuses. The metal version has a solid build quality (though I can’t compare directly to other plotters.) As I’m not experience in Inkscape this could also be chalked up to user error. The method I found to fix this was to create a new document in Inkscape and then import the SVG. Opening SVGs directly in InkScape (at least ones created with TD) resulted in dramatic scaling issues with the plotter, even when document settings appeared correct.
#Digital plotter drawing trial#
It took me some trial and error to discover this, and a few times the plotter tried to draw outside its range. The reset button on the device sets a new home position. I tried this first with no luck, before finding the iDraw extension which successfully connected. The Generative Hut review shows using the AxiDraw Inkscape extension. After finishing the build, the device powered on and I was able to successfully successfully plot Generative Hut’s Generative Benchy (included on their review.) Surprises: I took my time with it, and even still it came together in about about an hour. The hardest part was getting the belts attached which were tighter than I expected. Uunatek shared this write up from Generative Hut, which I ended up following based mostly on the pictures. I found the build to be relatively straightforward, though the manufacturer’s own instructions are not very clear. The plotter comes mostly assembled, with only a few key pieces that need to be put together.
Below are some details about my experience getting the plotter set up and my initial tests. Uunatek was kind enough to send me an iDraw to review, specifically the A4 Metal kit.
#Digital plotter drawing free#
TouchDesigner build used: 2021:14360įeel free to comment if you have questions or suggestions! Generative Hut also has plotter reviews and some great articles and tools available to help one get started and inspired.ĭownload the TouchDesigner examples from this article. If you want to know more about pen plotters, All3DP has a great breakdown of their history, function along with a comparison of various pen plotters on the market in 2021. In addition to the review, this article documents my experience working with plotters for the first time and discusses some techniques for going from TouchDesigner to plotter. I’ve been quite interested in pen plotters for some time as a means to combine the two worlds but never had the opportunity to play with one until I was sent an iDraw Pen Plotter for review. I’m personally a big fan of working with pen and paper, but in recent years have been pulled deep into the digital realm and have created few tangible pieces. If you’re a fan of generative art, chances are you’ve come across artists using pen plotters to translate their digital works to paper.