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By Golan Levin and Asa Foster III for FFFFF.AT, 2011-2025
Version: 19 September, 2025
https://github.com/golanlevin/QR_STENCILER
http://fffff.at/qr-stenciler-and-qr-hobo-codes/
By Golan Levin and Asa Foster III for FFFFF.AT
Developed with Processing, a free, cross-platform
Java programming toolkit for the arts.
This free program loads a user-specified QR code
image, from which it generates a topologically
correct stencil PDF, suitable for laser-cutting.
QR_STENCILER has been tested in MacOSX 15.6
and works with Processing v.3.5.4 and 4.4.7.
1. Make a QR code image which embeds a brief text.
2. Download and install 'Processing' from
http://www.processing.org/download
3. Unzip 'QR_STENCILER.zip' to a folder.
4. Put your QR code image in 'QR_STENCILER/data/'
5. Launch Processing and open 'QR_STENCILER.pde'
6. Press 'Run' (Command-R) to start the stenciler.
7. You will be prompted to Open your QR code image.
A default will be opened if none is provided.
8. After doing so, the program will generate a
stencil PDF in the 'data' folder.
9. That PDF can now be opened in your favorite CAD
software, for laser-cutting cardboard, etc.
10. After marking your stencil, test it with a QR
reader, such as your iPhone camera app.
QR_STENCILER shall be used for Good, not Evil.
It is licensed under a Creative Commons
Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported
License (by-nc-sa 3.0), as described at
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
You are free to distribute, remix, and modify
QR_STENCILER, so long as you share alike and
provide attribution to FFFFF.AT. The repackaging
of QR_STENCILER as or into commercial software, is
expressly prohibited. Please note that QR_STENCILER
also enjoys protections under the GRL Repercussions
3.0 license, http://bit.ly/cc-repercussions.
The 100 QR_HOBO_CODES and their respective stencils
are hereby dedicated to the public domain.
This software is provided AS IS, without warranty
of any kind, expressed or implied, including but
not limited to the warranties of merchantibility,
fitness for a particular purpose, and noninfringe-
ment. In no event shall the authors be liable for
any claim, damages or other liability, whether in
an action of contract, tort or otherwise, arising
from, out of or in connection with this software
or its use.
The QR_STENCILER software was created by Golan Levin
and Asa Foster III with support from the STUDIO for
Creative Inquiry and the School of Art at
Carnegie Mellon University. Thanks to Ben Fry,
Marcus Beausang, Neil Brown & Judy Robertson for
great code. A tip of the hat to Fred Trotter,
Jovino, le Suedois, Patrick Donnelly and others
who have gone down similar paths. Additional
thanks to Andrea Boykowycz for creative input.
Some of the QR Hobo Codes are inspired by:
http://www.worldpath.net/~minstrel/hobosign.htm
http://cockeyed.com/archive/hobo/modern_hobo.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warchalking
QR code' is trademarked by Denso Wave, Inc.
Inquiries about QR_STENCILER may be directed to:
Golan Levin <golanlevin@gmail.com>