Boolean functions not activating

LightBurn Software Questions
1

I am new to Lightburn but have been using Vectric Vcarve Pro for quite some time. I have included a .jpg file that illustrates what I am trying to create. I have also attached a .svg file that generates the included jpg when I open it in a browser. However, you will see that it displays something quite different when opened in Lightburn. I have changed the colors of the two objects from the original for the sake of clarity.

When I open the .svg in Lightburn it contains two objects. The first is a repetitive pattern that has been grouped to be a single object. The second is two simple vectors that form an arch. I want to be able to crop the pattern to include only those portions of the pattern contained within the boundary of the inner arch. I started by ungrouping the two vectors that form the arch and deleting the outer of the two. I have tried multiple methods of selecting objects but no matter what I have done the Boolean functions remain greyed out (i.e. they never become active). Here is a summary of some of the selection methods I have tried:

  • ungroup the two arch vectors and delete the outer one so only the inner arch remains
  • select the inner arch and the pattern simultaneously
  • select the arch first then the pattern
  • the reverse, select the pattern then the arch
  • ungroup the pattern to the point where it cannot be ungrouped any further, then select the arch followed by a single shape that intersects the arch
  • ungroup the pattern to the point where it cannot be ungrouped any further, then select a single shape that intersects the arch, followed by the arch
  • ungroup the pattern to the point where it cannot be ungrouped any further, then select a single shape that intersects the arch and the arch simultaneously

I have tried recreating a portion of the pattern from scratch, creating a boundary pattern and cropping the pattern to that section enclosed by the boundary pattern and that works. I can also edit the file in VCarve Pro and that works but what am I missing or doing wrong that it is not working in Lightburn?

lattice_jc
lattice_jc1320×1288 215 KB

lattice_jc.lbrn2 (3.4 MB)

2

2 conditions are necessary for boolean operations to be available:

  1. You’re dealing with only 2 objects (grouped shapes are considered a single object)
  2. All shapes are closed path

Upon inspecting your design it looks like the inner portion of the frame is not closed.

Try this:

  1. Ungroup the frame
  2. Select the inner line of the frame
  3. Edit->Close path with tolerance
  4. Add rattan pattern to selection
  5. Tools->Boolean Intersection
3

:grinning: :raised_hands: Thank you! I would never have found that. Can you tell me how you did?

1 Like
4

First clue is that boolean operations are not appearing. Then you go looking.

The process I used in this case:

  1. Checked that the rattan was indeed a single object
  2. Repeat for frame. Noticed that both parts of frame was grouped. Ungrouped knowing that boolean would likely need to be done on inner shape
  3. Repeated boolean attempt with inner frame and rattan and noticed still not working. That leaves potential open shapes
  4. Edit->Select open shapes revealed that the inner frame was not closed.
  5. Tried first easiest thing to close by using Edit->Close path with tolerance. Since it worked I didn’t explore beyond that.
1 Like
5

Also, this may be a separate question but is there a way to keep the inner boundary intact? As it stands now, I select the inner arch, add the rattan pattern to the selection, and select boolean intersection to keep the pattern enclosed by the inner arch. When I do that the arch boundary disappears and it merges those smaller shapes that intersect with the boundary into the boundary as illustrated in the following screen capture:
lattice_jc_merged_section

Ideally, I would like to crop those items that intersect with the inner arch so that the inner arch is retained, the sections of the rattan pattern that extend beyond the inner boundary edge are truncated to the boundary edge.

1 Like
6

Thank you, :grinning: I really appreciate your describing the process you used to isolate the problem.

1 Like
7

If I’m understanding you correctly then try this:

  1. Select inner frame
  2. Add rattan to selection
  3. Tools->Boolean difference
8

Thank you, that works exactly as I was hoping. I cannot tell you how grateful I am. I have been banging my head against this problem for weeks.

The key was finding that I had an open shape. What was an open shape in Lightburn was a closed shape in Vectric.

Thank you, again.

9

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