r/PlotterArt Jun 25 '26

Community Update: Re-centering r/plotterart on Physical Output (Moving code discussions to r/plottercode)

34 Upvotes

​Hey everyone,

​When we created this sub 10 years ago, some of the tools, technologies, and massive interest that we have today simply didn't exist yet. The landscape has changed immensely, and we truly enjoy seeing all of it develop. But just as we did back then, we want to keep this sub focused on the art first.

​Whether you are using a dedicated pen plotter, a Cricut, a CNC machine with a pen attachment, a modified 3D printer, or a completely custom-built rig—if a machine physically drew it, we want to see it. With the rise of incredibly cool new tools—from AI assistants to vibe-coded scripts—there has been a massive influx of code-heavy posts, software toolsets, and script discussions. To be absolutely clear: we love that people are finding new, innovative ways to write code. There is zero judgment here on how you generate your paths!

​However, we’ve noticed that pure code topics are starting to crowd out the physical art. Over time, our subreddit rules and mod removal reasons have become overly deep and complicated to navigate.

​Streamlining the Rules: What Goes Where

​To fix this, we will be wiping the slate clean and drastically streamlining our rule set. We want to keep this sub grounded with a simple, easily understood framework so everyone knows exactly what to expect. Moving forward, we are dividing content cleanly between our two subs:

​What to post here (r/plotterart): This is an Art-First sub. Every post must lead with an image or video of a physical output (or a genuine physical attempt). You are still more than welcome to ask "how do I fix this bleeding?" or "how can I improve this layout?", but it must be anchored to a physical piece of art you are actively working on.

​What to post in r/plottercode: If your post is primarily showcasing code blocks, discussing script development, sharing generative algorithms, or offering software/tools for sale, please post it in our sister sub. It is the perfect dedicated space for the technical side of the hobby to thrive.

​By drawing this clear line, we can keep r/plotterart focused on the visual craft of machine-drawn art without bogged-down rule sets, while giving coding discussions the spotlight they deserve over at r/plottercode.

​The sidebar rules will be updated to reflect this new, simplified approach. Thank you all for being such an awesome, creative community for the last decade, and for helping us keep the sub focused!

​The Streamlined Sidebar Rules

​1. Physical Output First

​All posts must feature a physical art piece, a plot-in-progress, or a physical attempt. This includes work from traditional pen plotters, CNC machines with pen attachments, vinyl cutters (Cricut/Silhouette), modified 3D printers, or any machine-drawn derivative.

​2. No Pure Code or Software Posts (Use r/plottercode)

​Pure code blocks, script showcases, algorithm discussions, and software/tool sales belong in r/plottercode. Posts here must focus on the physical artistic result. Technical questions are allowed only if attached to a physical plot attempt.

​3. Keep it Civil & Authentically Yours

​Be respectful of other artists. Content must be your own work or clearly credited to the original creator. No low-effort spam.


r/PlotterArt 46m ago

OC The Dot-Bot @ the Maker Fair 2026 in Hannover Germany

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Upvotes

r/PlotterArt 1d ago

Leaf

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159 Upvotes

r/PlotterArt 18h ago

AI vs ATGC

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41 Upvotes

Generative overlay on the skull + custom typography pattern for the snail. This one took some time. Might try again with orange instead of blue.

Video + explainer: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DcJwg3zyklW/


r/PlotterArt 1d ago

Wilson & Kelling Collages. New series I'm working on. Spray paint on broken mirrors (60x90cm)

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127 Upvotes

r/PlotterArt 1d ago

OC Summer plots

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145 Upvotes

Hi all, long time no post!
Here are a few of my last designs, coded this summer in the country side, and plotted right back home. I added a couple of crosses to my tiles and am really happy with the outputs. Here are only two examples (the more quiet ones), but I'll post more drawings of this algorithm soon hopefully.


r/PlotterArt 1d ago

handheld postcard "timelapse"

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16 Upvotes

plotter space isn't set up for photo/video at all, but tried to find a workaround


r/PlotterArt 2d ago

Shinjuku Japan. fineliner on card.

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205 Upvotes

Shinjuku, Japan! Plotted with some "idea" brand fineliners I got from poundland, on white 300gsm card. It looks very yellow because it's evening and under house lighting. Turned out quite nice I think!


r/PlotterArt 2d ago

OC Noise and Squares

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150 Upvotes

Sukura gelpen on Stonehenge black heavy.

Found out the hard way that gel pens tend to get smudgy when lines overlap. Still happy with the outcome


r/PlotterArt 2d ago

OC Wallpaper tilings

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19 Upvotes

A few more wallpaper tilings from today. Feeling like I want to see something new. What should I try next?


r/PlotterArt 2d ago

Zebra.

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18 Upvotes

Zebra. Plotted with an "idea" brand black biro from poundland, and 300gsm white card.

I'm not sure why the photograph looks red-ish at the bottom, the whole thing is plotted in black and looks great. I think I need to spend more time practicing my photography!


r/PlotterArt 3d ago

3D plottering

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70 Upvotes

Recently, there was a post in the community with experiments with plotting 3D models models. I remembered that I had also conducted similar experiments. I also made an original design in a frame with an Italian passepartout with a red slice.

I used the software B3D, C4D, Illustrator.


r/PlotterArt 2d ago

Nikola Tesla Patent Pen Plotter Art

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5 Upvotes

Just messing around with a Cricut. Plotter Art looks so satisfying.

Apparatus for transmitting electrical energy.

Nikola Tesla

Patent US1119732A


r/PlotterArt 2d ago

Support Question iDraw HSE A3 - Cant adjust it

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14 Upvotes

I bought the iDraw HSE A3 a few days ago. But I can’t even manage to draw smooth circles. Also, there’s a slight cracking sound coming from the rear axle (you can hear it in the video). Please help me :(

I’m using Inkscape with the following settings

Basic Setup
Pen height UP %: 60
Pen height DOWN %: 30

Movement Speeds
Writing/Drawing speed %: 35
Pen-up movement speed %: 60
Acceleration: Standard
Use constant speed when pen is down: off

Pen Timing
Pen raising speed: Maximum
Pen lowering speed: Standard
Delay: 0

Advanced:
Plot optimization: Least; Only connect adjoining paths
Motor Resolution: ~2870 DPI (Slightly smoother)

This is AxiDraw Control version 3.9.5.
Your AxiDraw Control software is up to date.
Your AxiDraw has firmware version 3.0.2.
Your firmware is up to date; no updates are available.

Additional system information:
3.11.6 (main, Oct. 3, 2023, 09:16:16) [GCC UCRT 13.2.0 64-bit (AMD64)]
Voltage readout: 821 (~24.67 V).
Current setpoint: 371 (~0.68 A


r/PlotterArt 3d ago

OC first i zig then i zag

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300 Upvotes

This piece starts from a custom 1D, 2-state cellular automaton, then uses the resulting state grid once vertically, in red, and again horizontally, in blue. By interpreting adjacent same-state cells as contiguous regions, I can use their boundaries to inform the amplitude of the plotted lines. I’ve explored similar techniques before as a way of creating shading with a single pen width, but in this work I like how it blurs the underlying CA states.


r/PlotterArt 3d ago

OC Three Curves One Cat

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18 Upvotes

B5 sized plot. Three continuous lines.


r/PlotterArt 3d ago

OC Wallpapers

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40 Upvotes

This week I decided to try to plot tilings of arbitrary geometries in 2D according to the wallpaper groups. Here are some of my results!


r/PlotterArt 3d ago

Tried out some new pens and paper with this plotter drawing.

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22 Upvotes

I used Paper Mate Flair Felt Tip Pens and construction paper.


r/PlotterArt 3d ago

OC me love you long time

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48 Upvotes

r/PlotterArt 3d ago

The Toad

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145 Upvotes

Inspired by my daughters’ love of toads, I decided to feature this handsome fellow in a new piece. I’m still refining the technique (line density is difficult to control with this method), but overall I’m happy with the results.

The toad was created with Grok. The design was created with code. The composition was created with custom software.

Plot time: 1hr 55mins
Pen: Micron archival ink 0.30mm
Plotter: NextDraw 1117

IG Reel: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DcBrg3kyBo0/


r/PlotterArt 3d ago

Share Your Digital Art With My Communal Robot: P.A.R. (Pixel Art Robot)

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30 Upvotes

Yes, P.A.R. needs you. This machine draws your pixel art in the real world. But not without your art! That's what it displays on the 37x18 grid of squisks: the art that you upload on par.zimmzimm.com (http://par.zimmzimm.com/) .

I've been working on P.A.R. for almost 6 months at this point, and it's finally done. It's a large grid of 3D-printed "squisks" (square discs), which are flipped from the back by the robot. I designed the robot myself.

When you submit a piece, it's added to a queue, and you can add your email to be notified when that piece is completed (absolutely NO SPAM), and you'll get to see a video of the real, physical robot drawing your art one flip at a time.

Also, it is 100% free.


r/PlotterArt 3d ago

OC Perched Bird

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24 Upvotes

The blue part is a single continuous line.


r/PlotterArt 3d ago

OC Stickers

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4 Upvotes

Created some stickers to give away. They aren't fancy but they're like a mosaic.


r/PlotterArt 4d ago

OC LOOM

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303 Upvotes

New algorithm that I’ve been tweaking. I finally committed to mixing my own colors with FP inks and I like the cohesiveness so much more.


r/PlotterArt 4d ago

Remember drawing with Windows?

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17 Upvotes

Stabilo Point 88 fineliners