jl2222's blog

It is my pleasure to introduce svg2fab: a lightweight alternative to FabStudio, useful for quickly producing working FAB files for primarily 2-dimensional Fab@Home toolheads. Two input files, an SVG and a toolscript (.xml), are specified either in a simple GUI prompt or as command-line arguments, and a FAB file is written to a default or specified output path.

svg2fab provides an advantage over FabStudio for efficiency in producing print instructions for tools like the new vinyl or foam cutters, which don't have a heavy reliance on height (i.e. multiple paths in the z-direction). Vectorized graphics (SVG) serve as a convenient medium to make these essentially 2-dimensional print jobs. Software options for SVG creation include Inkscape (free) and Adobe Illustrator (commercial), and these programs are much easier to use than 3D modeling software.

As of svg2fab v1.3, only straight lines are supported--curved lines are approximated as straight ones--and single-material outputs are produced. Check out the most current release at the Launchpad page!