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      How to Use the Resize Slots Tool in LightBurn

      Adjust Slot and Tab Dimensions for Precise Assembly

      What Is the Resize Slots Tool?

      The Resize Slots tool adjusts the dimensions of slots, fingers, or tabs in selected objects. This tool is ideal for adapting designs to different material thicknesses or correcting dimensions after resizing an entire design.

      Location

      Menu Path: Tools → Resize Slots in Selection

      Applications

      • Adjust jointed designs for materials of varying thicknesses.
      • Correct slot and tab dimensions in rescaled designs.
      • Refine 3D puzzle pieces, trays, boxes, or other jointed projects.

      Types of Geometry Supported

      1. Slots:
        Found in 3D puzzles or trays, resembling halved joints or dados.

      2. Tabs:
        Commonly seen in tenons or box joints, used for boxes and drawers.

      QuickRef-ResizeSlots

      How to Use the Tool

      1. Measure Existing Slots or Tabs:

        • Use the Measure Tool to determine the current length of a slot or tab.
        Ref-ResizeSlots-MeasureTab

      2. Open Resize Slots:

        • Select all objects containing slots or tabs to resize.
        • Navigate to Tools → Resize Slots in Selection to open the Resize Slots dialog.
        Ref-ResizeSlots-Settings

      3. Configure Settings:

        • Old Material Thickness: Enter the current length of the slots or tabs.
        • New Material Thickness: Specify the desired length.
        • Tolerance: Add padding to accommodate minor variations or kerf offsets in the original design.

      4. Adjustments Options:

        • Adjust Slot Depth: Modifies the innermost line of slots while maintaining the outer dimensions of the piece.
        • Adjust Slot Width: Changes the sides of slots, ideal for intersecting interior slots.
        • Adjust Tab Height: Modifies the top line of tabs to preserve the interior size while altering the exterior dimensions.

      5. Apply Changes:

        • Click Apply to implement changes without exiting the dialog.
        • Click OK to confirm changes and exit.
        • Click Cancel to discard any unsaved changes.

      6. Revert Changes:

        • Use Ctrl/Cmd+Z to undo changes after exiting the Resize Slots dialog.

      Ref-ResizeSlots-Demo

      Troubleshooting

      1. Internal Slots Not Resized:
        The tool doesn’t support resizing internal slots, as determining the direction of adjustment can be ambiguous.

      2. Grouped Objects:

        • The tool only works on ungrouped objects.
        • Exit the dialog and Ungroup objects if you see a warning.
        Ref-ResizeSlots-GroupedWarning

      3. Filleted or Rounded Corners:

        • The tool requires sharp corners.
        • Use the Radius Tool to remove external fillets and the Offset Tool (set to 0) to remove internal loops.

      4. Improperly Formed Shapes:

        • Extra nodes or curves in shapes can interfere with detection.
        • Use Optimize Selected Shapes to repair problematic shapes.

      Ref-ResizeSlots-BadSlots

      Practical Tips

      • Precision: Measure slot dimensions accurately before applying changes.
      • Experiment with Tolerance: Adjust tolerance settings for better results when slots or tabs vary slightly.
      • Refine Shapes First: Clean up designs using tools like Optimize Selected Shapes to ensure smooth adjustments.

      The Resize Slots tool simplifies adapting designs for various materials or correcting scaled objects, ensuring precise assembly and professional results in laser-cut projects.