Differences

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--- tool:vinyl_cutter [2017/08/24 06:02] – fixed link to vendor knowledge base. also quoted info on blade angle directly in wiki, since vendor site is atrocious mimi_x
+++ tool:vinyl_cutter [2019/04/08 01:18] – rob
@@ Line 26: / Line 26: @@
 Vectors, the preferred format for the cutter, are usually created by software such as Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, or The GIMP (which is free software, and pretty good).
-I (@lefty) have had the best luck importing PSD (Photoshop) vectors as .psd files.  These seem to translate well into the software without a lot of extra tweaking.  EPS files will work, but GreatCut tends to choke on the objects sometimes - missing lines and strange cuts, etc.   Solid shapes tend to work best, as the cutter can just cut the outside of the shape, but it will entirely depend on the final result you'd like.
+I (@lefty) have had the best luck importing PSD (Photoshop) vectors as .psd files.  These seem to translate well into the software without a lot of extra tweaking.  .EPS and .AI files will work, but GreatCut tends to choke on the objects sometimes - missing lines and strange cuts, etc.   Solid shapes tend to work best, as the cutter can just cut the outside of the shape, but it will entirely depend on the final result you'd like.
 To import a vector, create a new job with File -> New, then File -> Import. Pick the vector file you'd like to import, and check that it shows up in the Preview window.  GreatCut is a bit finicky on the formats it will successfully import, but if it shows up in the preview, it should import successfully.
@@ Line 82: / Line 82: @@
+==== A visual step-by-step ====
+Once you've imported your file according to the steps above,the first thing you'll want to do is to set up your Working Area to understand how your artwork fits on your material.
+**1.Working Area**
+To do this go to Settings > Working Area on the top menu panel.Once in the pop-out window you can adjust the width and height of the Working area to the required size.
+{{:tool:2_workingarea.jpg?400|}}
-==== More info ====
+**2.Resizing**
+Generally you might need to resize and reposition your artwork. You can do this in the parameters window, see image below.
-  * [[US Cutter Support Knowledge Base|http://www.uscuttersupport.com/kbpage.html]]
+{{:tool:4_resizing.jpg?400|}}
+**3.Artwork positioning**
+The actual position of your artwork relative to the working area doesn't have any bearing on the final output as the software relocates your artwork to the zero point before outputting. You can check the final position of your artwork in the Preview tool. This is a representation of what will be cut. File>Output>Preview
+{{:tool:5_location.jpg?400|}}
+{{:tool:6a_preview.jpg?400|}}
+{{:tool:6b_preview.jpg?400|}}
+**4.Output**
+Once you're happy with how the preview looks you're almost ready to get cutting. First you need to check some of the parameters. File>Output.
+-Pressure - I recommend 250-275 (thicker material may need more)
+-Speed - 5cm/s (slow down further if you have intricate cuts)
+-Material - Width & Length, this is important as if you don't set it large enough, the program will cute up some of your design thinking you need to add a new material roll.
+-Weed Box - this will cut an offset box around your artwork, depends on whether you want to save material or not.
+**5.Cutting**
+Turn the machine on (it will run some automatic calibrations).
+Slide the material from the back of the machine under the rollers and past the blade point.
+Lock down the two rollers at the back to keep the material in place.
+Using the arrows, manoeuvre the cutter head to the starting point of your choice on the material.
+Push the Sizing Origin Set button on the machine to set that as the origin (zero) point.
+Click Output on GreatCut and the program will run.
+==== More info ====
+  * [[http://www.uscuttersupport.com/kbpage.html|US Cutter Support Knowledge Base]].