¶ Case Study: Creating a Cat Paw Keychain
Goal: Build a complete vector shape in the form of a cat paw, including a hanging hole for attaching a lanyard.
Tools Used: Union 
, Exclude 
¶ 1. Draw the Base Shapes
Start by using the Ellipse tool from the bottom toolbar to create the basic components of the cat paw:
- Draw the palm pad: Create a large, slightly flattened oval.
- Draw the toe pads: Add four smaller circles above the main pad and position them to resemble a cat’s toes.
You can use alignment, rotation, or mirroring tools as needed to refine the shape.
- Draw the hanging hole: Add a small circle below the palm pad (or anywhere you want the lanyard to pass through). This circle will be removed later to form the hole.
¶ 2. Generate the Paw Outline (Using Union)
Next, combine the palm pad and toe pads into a single outline so the laser can cut a clean outer shape.
- Select the shapes: Select the large oval and the four small toe circles.
Do not select the small circle intended for the hanging hole. - Apply the operation:
- In the Object Editing panel (upper-right corner), click the
Boolean Operation icon. - Choose Union.
- In the Object Editing panel (upper-right corner), click the
- The shapes will merge into a new “Boolean Group,” removing their overlapping edges and forming a smooth, unified silhouette.
¶ 3. Create the Hanging Hole (Using Exclude)
Now you’ll remove the small circle to create a clean cutout for the lanyard.
- Position the circle: Move the hanging-hole circle so it sits fully inside the cat paw outline.
- Select both objects: Select the boolean cat paw shape and the small circle together.
- Apply the operation:
- Click the Boolean Operation icon.
- Choose Exclude (Subtract Top).
- Click the
- Result: The region where the small circle was placed is now cut out, forming a clean hanging hole.
If you're unsure whether the hole was successfully cut out, select the whole shape and toggle Fill under the Engrave settings.
If the small circle appears hollow (removed), then the hole was created correctly.
Just remember to turn Fill off when switching back to Cut mode.
¶ 4. Make Adjustments (Non-Destructive Editing)
Boolean operations in Aliencell Space are non-destructive. This means you can always refine the shape later.
- Enter edit mode: Double-click the final boolean group.
- Adjust components: You’ll see the original circles that form the paw. Move any of the toe pads, resize the hanging-hole circle, or reposition elements as needed.
- Live updates: Once you release the mouse, the software recalculates the boolean result instantly—no need to undo or redo anything.
¶ 5. Final Result
You now have a clean, closed vector path.
- You can assign Cut to the entire boolean group.
The laser will follow the outer paw shape and cut the lanyard hole in one seamless job.
¶ 6. Add Decorative Details
To make your design more charming, you can create engraved shapes inside the paw.
¶ Extract Inner Shapes:
- Double-click the final boolean paw to enter edit mode.
- Select the original circles (palm + toes), copy them, and paste them onto the canvas.
¶ Adjust and Position:
- Select the copied shapes and scale them down (for example, reduce size by 20–30%).
- Move them into place so they sit nicely within the outline.
¶ Assign Processing Methods:
- Fill Engrave: Select the inner ovals and set them to Fill (Engraving).
- Separate Cutting:
You can also cut these inner shapes separately if you prefer adding them later as glued or colored pieces.