inkscape stencil steps

HOWTO/laser-solder-paste-stencil-inkscape.md

@@ -13,6 +13,9 @@ for now.
 * Graytex Papers "Clear Transparencies for Color Laser Printers" (P/N 235-8511).
 5 mil (0.127 mm), clear.
 
+This assumes the J-Tech Photonics LASER is set up and the TAZ is
+flashed with Marlin firmware from here:
+https://code.forksand.com/forksand/marlin-lulzbot-laser
 
 ## Software Used
 
@@ -101,7 +104,80 @@ mkdir ~/.config/inkscape/extensions/
 cp -p dxf_input.inx dxf_input.py laser.inx laser.py ~/.config/inkscape/extensions/
 ```
 
-
 ## Inkscape Steps
 
-Steps to generate gcode from an SVG file.
+Steps to generate gcode from an SVG file. Make sure you have
+installed the plugin the first time as illustrated in steps above.
+
+* Launch Inkscape.
+
+* Open the SVG file exported above by KiCAD.
+
+* Hit `CTRL-A` to `Select All`.
+
+* Hit `Shift-CTRL-G` to `Ungroup`.
+
+* Hit `Shift-CTRL-G` to `Ungroup` a second time. XXX check.
+
+* Select everything with `CTRL-a`. This assumes it is ungrouped.
+
+* Copy with `CTRL-c` or `Edit` --> `Copy`.
+
+* Create a new file with `CTRL-n` or `File` --> `New`.
+XXX Not sure why this is needed, but it works around erroneous
+gcode exports.
+
+* Paste contents with `CTRL-v` or `Edit` --> `Paste`.
+
+* Move selected contents to bottom left corner of document:
+In the task bar set `X:` to `0.000` and `Y:` to `0.000`.
+
+* Hit `4` for a decent zoom.
+
+* With everything still selected above, go to:
+`Extensions` --> `Generate Laser Gcode` --> `J Tech Photonics Laser Tool`.
+
+* In the `J Tech Photonics Laser Tool` dialog, set values thusly:
+
+* `Laser ON Command`: `M106`.
+
+* `Laser OFF Command`: `M107`.
+
+* `Travel Speed (mm/min or in/min)`: `1000`. XXX confirm.
+
+* `Laser Speed (mm/min or in/min)`: `500`. XXX confirm speed for transparencies.
+
+* `Laser Power S# (0-255 or 0-12000)`: `255`.
+
+* `Power-On Delay (ms or s)`: `0.0`.
+
+* `Passes`: `1`.
+
+* Pass Depth (mm or in): `1.0`.
+
+* `Directory:` Location you want to export the file.
+Use `.gcode` extension.
+
+* `Add numeric suffix to filename`: Unchecked.
+You can check if you want to do different versions each export.
+
+* `All Units (mm or in)`: `mm`.
+
+* `Live preview`: Unchecked. Optional.
+
+* When it is all set, hit the `Apply` button to generate the
+gcode.
+
+* Hit the `Close` button.
+
+* The generated gcode should show a bunch of blue arrows
+and similar, showing what has been generated (only in
+`Live preview` mode ?).
+
+* Inspect newly created gcode file to make sure the values are
+sane. Not sane values: `G1  X13004. Y-23242.76`. Sane values:
+`G1  X33.0302 Y20.0467`.
+
+* Hit `Close` button.
+
+* `File` --> `Quit`.