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Laura K, for faster responses you should sign up for the forum. All guest posts have to be pre-screened by moderators before they are allowed to be posted. It can take extra time and is more work for us on our end.

After creating your Text with the Text Tool, Select the Object Pointer (A). Click the Lock (C) to unlock the Proportional Ratio and either insert your Size requirements in the Height / Width boxes (B) or Grab & Drag the Text Object itself. Setting these 2 Sizes should yield the correct Size at your Cutter providing it is set up Properly. The Read-outs in the D boxes are for the Typographical size of the Font set by the Typographer, and the Physical Size, the actual size of the Flush Capitals (T, H, L, etc). Here's a Video that covers most of these Basics.... They have a large collection that includes other Useful Text Videos HERE.

What is changing? , Be more specific. Is the cutter not cutting the size you are sending to it from Vinyl Master? If so. calibrate your cutter. That is located in the software. If that is not it, then provide more info.

Dnice If you sign up to the forum you will receive faster responses since all guest posts have to be approved by moderators

A while back, I helped a friend to set up a cutting studio of their own. The machine we went with is a Vevor 34" and since I'm just sitting around here with a few minutes of free time (aren't we all?!!) I figured it might be interesting to make a post that relates our experiences with that unit. Let's start with the original advertisment of the cutter --- it shows a configuration of grit rollers similar to the LP3 and Titan models. In other words, there are specific locations of the rollers, at spaced intervals across the lower plate. That arrangement is clearly visible in the pictures accompanying the eBay listing. (This type of setup helps to improve long-length tracking of the vinyl). The actual cutter that arrived has grit rollers all across the machine, similar to the MH and SC2. OK, next --- The LED illumination. This is an impressive blue light that has a separate on-off switch, if you don't want the light lit. The advertisement didn't show this feature in the photos and it came as a surprise (in fact, I didn't know there was such a light, until I wondered about a little button on the back and pressed it). Another thing was the media basket, included with the stand. Now, when you look at the picture, the first thing you realize is the vinyl holder (2 steel rollers) is mounted to the front. We did not assemble the stand like that, and put the rollers to the rear, as I'm used to. Onwards --- getting our first cuts. I did not install the supplied SignMaster (a version of VinylMaster) at first, and opted to just go with SignBlazer, figuring I could get this thing running with that. Well, it did operate (RedSail driver) but the cuts were off, leaving distinct 'tabs' on the circles (end of cut on circles not coming to the same point as the beginning point. Using other drivers (Roland, LiYu, Copam) produced the same results. I messed around with the overcut and offset settings, but couldn't get it right. So, SignMaster was implemented with the machine-specific driver that is included (There's a big yellow sticker right on the front of the unit that says use the D870 model when installing the software). Yeah, that resolved the problem, and the cuts were fine using it. Of course, that meant my friend had to re-learn the design software (she had been familiar with the workings of SBE and liked it). As a workaround for her, I showed how to do designs in SBE, export as .eps and Import to the S-M program for cutting. A bit cumbersome with a few extra mouse clicks and keyboard keystrokes, and she's getting used to SignMaster as she goes along. What else? The cutter is quieter than the SC2 I own. Still, it's a stepper motor, and as such, produces a bit of 'chatter' as it goes around. Overall, for $320 (including 'fast&free' shipping) this Chinese cutter serves the purpose (and is already paid for itself several times over). In my humble opinion, the US Cutter LP3 34" at $650 is a superior value overall. But, I guess that's comparing apples to oranges. Thanks for listening. Stay safe, stay home, and stay busy!

I always thought the adapter provided the proper null wiring output, but I realize now that is incorrect, my bad.

If a straight cable was needed that would work, but a Null modem cable is required between the cutter and PC/adapter.

I just had a DELL e5500 delivered from eBay, it was under $40. --- I needed a replacement for my cutting laptop that had an intermittent power plug failure, and the cost of these legacy DELLs with serial port is so low right now that it's a no-brainer to just wait a few days after ordering, then unpack the box that UPS brings and you'll probably have that SC humming in two seconds flat. (with SignBlazer) Would have been cheaper and faster than all the rigamarole you're going through.

st some point you have to decide when it is better to just jack that vinyl up and slide a new plotter that comes with new software under it . . . . not sure you are there yet but something to keep in the back of your mind. there is something to be said for peace of mind and less hassle