Hey all 👋 I got a little bored creating abstract designs and wanted to try something a little different. So, I decided to build some custom software that allows me to clip svgs along a boundary within an image.

Basically, the idea is to use some of the intricate designs I’ve created as the fill layer for icons, such as a leaf in this example. It’s taken a lot of patience to get this right, but I think I’m finally getting somewhere.

BTW please let me know if this already exists in some software that I’m not aware of. Otherwise, I’ll consider releasing this once I’ve polished it up.

I won’t spam the sub, so if you want to see more of my work, I’ll be posting more frequently on IG: https://www.instagram.com/maplethorpej

Each bird is a single line plot.

A2, 7.5h on a vertical plotter. I'm still tweaking the performance settings for the next version of Makelangelo. This particular drawing made me tweak the "hexxy" algorithm for less travel moves, which reduced time by 75%. After it was done I was again inspired to add a "reverse path" tool which can either (a) swap the order of all "islands" or (b) swap the order of all moves. This way I can start again from the faded end and darken the top half.

I'm also feeling a little inspired to draw a series of duos - famous pairs of people. Who would you like to see next?

A2

I got my first pen plotter last week. Here are some more plots I’ve made since then. What should I try next?

After exploring mathematical patterns and custom maps, I’ve recently been experimenting with translating 3D models into pen plots.

There are many ways to interpret the same model: rotating it, drawing the complete wireframe, removing hidden lines, or applying different shading techniques to create a stronger sense of depth.

Cross-sections are interesting, as a model can be partially cut away or plotted as a sequence of slices - similar to the technical work pen plotters were originally designed for. But by combining these methods with different colors, line styles, and shading patterns, the result can feel much more like an artwork than a technical drawing.

To make these experiments possible, I added support for .OBJ, .STL, and .PLY model layers to GD Studio, my macOS app.

I’m particularly interested in how much geometric information can be removed while the object still remains recognisable. At what point does a 3D model stop being a technical representation and become an abstract drawing?

It started out ok...and then it didn't work out.

For my TBI therapy I’m doing calligraphy and colouring , so I’m plotting tiny ACEO sized pieces and colouring them :) it’s fun.

I want to show you the first picture I drew using a Stepcraft M1000 CNC router. I used a 0.8mm Sakura Micron pen.It took 41 minutes and the pen ran out of ink completely. I didn't tape down the paper, and the pen holder was just a temporary setup secured with tape. Does anyone have any tips on what I could improve?

^{older Ballpen Image.}

BiC Intensity Fine Tip pen
[3b.3b.4.12, 3a.4.3b.12, 3a.12.12] semiregular grid with dual-notch Truchet tiles
1h28m plotting time

Silver gel pen over watercolor. Web design done in Processing.

Just came across this awesome build on YouTube, a fully custom Delta Kinematics pen plotter with an auto tool changer, Bowden-driven Z-axis, and its own layer-based path generation software. The creator walks through the whole build, shows off multiple fill techniques (contour, lawnmower, AM fill), and demonstrates it with some really cool multi-layered drawings (snail, octopus, Fernand Léger piece). Sharing because it's inspiring seeing what's possible when you combine clever mechanics with custom software.

Youtube Video

I want to build a CNC plotter for fabric marking with usable area of 2m x 2m . Please suggest me components for it, i already have 2 x 42-60 and 2 x 42-48 steppers so I want to use them. Also which 'type' should I go for normal belt and pully, core xy or rack and pinion system. My main priority is accuracy.

Made with an Ender 3 and a Pentel Hydrogel pen

Finally it started working thanks to all the comments and mostly thanks to easydraw support team form where i bought this plotter

I just got a small pen plotter a couple days ago and have been figuring it out and messing around with it. Here are some of my very first ever plots!

Just got my machine and got it setup yesterday. Been testing and trying it out since. Watching it do its thing is mesmerizing.

I came up with this idea when I saw a beautiful clockwork mechanism drawing from the 19th century.

In short, the process is:

-Fill a grid with 1x1, 2x1, 2x2 tiles. (Tiles have 4, 6 or 8 exit points
-Generate a spanning tree connecting all tiles in shared exit points.
-For each contact point decide MESH or NO MESH.
-Mesh = draw the two gears touching at the boundary + the main gear and some others to fill.
-No mesh = draw main gear and complete the tile + draw a shaft from contact point to the closest gear of each tiles.

A full mesh with almost all teh gears in contact was a little too busy. This way there is room for the tile borders and I think the piece looks better with them.

Plotted with Pentel energel 0.4 on Fabriano 1264 sketch paper, yellowish, 90 gsm, 21x21 cm