Design & Model an Acrylic LED Sign for CNC | Complete FreeCAD + Inkscape Tutorial (Part 1)
Create your own acrylic LED sign from scratch using FreeCAD and Inkscape — 100% free and open-source tools!
In this first part of the project, you’ll learn how to design and model the LED sign step-by-step: from preparing the SVG logo, fixing fonts, and modelling the acrylic sheet, to making perfect holes and outlines ready for CNC machining.
This workflow is perfect for makers, beginners, and CNC hobbyists looking to combine CAD design and CNC creativity in one workflow.
What You’ll Learn
How to prepare clean SVG files in Inkscape for CNC
Modelling the acrylic sign in FreeCAD step-by-step
How to create pockets, holes, and outlines ready for G-code generation
In the second part of this series, you’ll take the 3D model created here and learn how to generate G-code in FreeCAD CAM, set up your CNC machine, and mill the acrylic LED sign step-by-step. Perfect follow-up if you want to see the full design-to-milling workflow in action!
From G-Code to CNC Milling | Acrylic LED Sign Project: • Generate G-Code & Mill an Acrylic LED Sign...
00:00 Intro: Designing an acrylic LED sign from scratch
01:32 Importing and editing text in Inkscape
01:56 Scaling and adjusting the font for CNC use
02:14 Redrawing letters for consistent thickness
05:04 Combining all paths into a single vector
05:14 Adjusting path thickness and letter shapes
07:48 Final SVG tweaks before importing into FreeCAD
08:19 Exporting SVG and modelling the acrylic piece in FreeCAD
09:11 Importing the SVG in FreeCAD
09:25 Converting all paths into a single sketch
09:40 Mapping the sketch to the 3D acrylic face
10:27 Creating the pocket for the engraved text
10:52 Drawing and preparing the cutout outline in Inkscape
12:12 Importing the outline SVG in FreeCAD
12:44 Transforming into a sketch and positioning it
13:34 Cutting the acrylic sheet shape
14:14 Adding cable holes
16:47 Fixing overlapping geometry to prevent CAM issues
18:01 Creating holes to mount the acrylic to the wooden base
18:55 End of modelling – project ready for CAM setup
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