Blackjack2359

Why doesn't VinylMaster Cut recognize .eps or .svg files? (Both which are vector files) Someone told me that I shouldn't be saving designs for vinyl cutting in jpeg or png because I will not be able to reopen and edit the text. I'm having issues vectorizing my designs, so I think it may be due to my saving my files in jpeg format. HELP, total newbie and just came out of the graphics/vinyl womb.

Can anyone tell me how to get rid of the spaces between two pieces of vinyl? After cutting different colors, I go and line them up, but sometimes there are spaces between the different colors of vinyl. If I try and get them closer, another area doesn't line up. Is there a setting in Vinylmaster Cut or within the cutter (MK-871-MK2) to correct that?

Wildgoose, I am using Oracal 651, so yes, I am using sign vinyl. I have no idea how to modify my design so each colored section has overlap. Is there somewhere in particular I can look in order to produce this overlap you are talking about?

By using the Outline Module, it does create an outline around the shape, but it outlines the entire piece, not each piece. Plus, it only outlines it in ONE color, not the individual colors of each piece. So the Outline Module is worthless in this situation. I was hoping that there was a setting that would enlarge each piece slightly so that there was no space between each piece, but I guess that isn't possible.

I am not layering vinyl. The design has several colors, so after they are cut, I just piece them together.

Does anyone that has used Vector Magic think it's worth the cost?

So, still a newbie to this VinylMaster Cut program, but am learning more everyday. I pretty much have the process down and have been cutting vinyl without too much difficulty so far. But today, I have run into something I have only seen once before, but do not know what to do. Below are two screen shots. One after pressing trace, and one after pressing trace, but left clicking on the mouse (while holding the mouse on the image). Why does most of my image (especially the black part) disappear when I press trace, but when I left click on the image, it comes back (as long as I am holding my mouse on the image that is). I've been trying to figure this out all day, but to no avail. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Thanks for the input everyone. I have now decided on using Vector Magic. I guess everyone is different, as far as what their comfort level is. I appreciate everyones suggestions. So, I think I'll stick with AI and Vector Magic.

Graphic Tracer Pro is exactly what I need. Thanks Dakotagrafx. Appreciate it.

Hmmm, I'll have to check that one out. Thanks Dakotagrafx!

Thank you Sue

All I am trying to accomplish is to take a photo (white silhouette), change it by adding colors, and cut it out. For some reason beyond my comprehension, it isn't coming out as expected. Just trying to figure out what I am doing wrong or could do better. If it's a software issue, then I need different or better software. If it's lack of knowledge, then I need to learn more. Thank you for all of your input.

In your honest opinion, do you think Flexistarter 12 Cloud edition would be good software for designing and cutting?

I have and like Inkscape. I didn't know you can cit with it as well. I used to be very good with Photoshop (back in the day), but of course that isn't helping me now. I'll take a closer look at Inkscape and give it a try to cut. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I appreciate it. Dakotagrfx, Right now, all I'm doing is customizing (personalizing) some basic images with color and cutting them out. I'm having trouble deciding which design/cutting or designing and cutting software to start with. VM Cut isn't cutting it (hahaha). Way too basic. Heck, if it were any more basic, it wouldn't work at all.

Dadotagrafx, I agree 100%. I have been reading, trying, watching, trying, and asking and trying. I don't want a quick fix. I want to learn how to do this, correctly and accurately. I appreciate everyone's help, or at least trying to help. I understand how it can be difficult and frustrating to assist others in forum environments.

It's me again. Don't mean to be a pain in the rear. I really want to learn how to use this software effectively and learn what it can and can not do. I have imported my image (has multiple colors). First, I imported the eps file. Then sent it to the cutter (see first 4 screenshots). If I go ahead and cut from this, I will end up with 4 layers of vinyl stacked on top of each other. Not good. Then, when I imported (open from images tab), then vectorize the image, then send to the cutter (see second set of 4 screenshots), only the individual colors are cut and not the entire image of different colors. I sure hope I am explaining myself well enough. I would love to have been about to just use a eps file, but not at the expense of stacking all my layers of vinyl. Oh, but the way. I'm using VM Cut (not pro, LTR, or DSR).

I just thought since this section covered vectorizing, someone could help. I understand. Thanks for your help.

You are absolutely correct, but ONLY if you vectorize it IN VM Cut. It doesn't have that option with an imported eps file.

Awesome, thanks a bunch. I'll give Signblazer a look see. Wish I could demo Flexi (any version). I have watched a couple of videos and it looks nice.

I have read just about the entire HELP section. But with the VM Cut version, those color separate options are not available. In fact, if VM Cut was any more basic, it wouldn't work at all. What are you using MZ SKEETER? I have been able to download a few demo versions of cutting software, minus Flexi (just can't locate a trial or demo version anywhere). I do realize that I need to spend actual money to get what I need to get done, but there are so many options available, it's difficult to decide. Everyone has their preference. This I know. Figuring that out is the hard part.

Thank you. Now I can see how it is supposed to work. Finally, but there still is an issue. I just imported my file, then went directly to cut. When I go and see all of the colors and how it is going to cut, it appears that it will be cutting out the entire image for each color I have, not just the separate layer parts. Is there anyway to not have that happen? Seems like a very big waste of vinyl.

The original image was white to begin with. I just added color to the wing portion. The background is black so I can see what I am doing while designing it. Below is the same image as the one you can see above in my previous post. When I go to vectorize it, it deletes the background automatically, because it will not be cut out on vinyl. Hope this explains what is happening.

Hey MZ, take a look again. VM Cut will NOT recognize eps files. Here is a screen shot of all of the files allowed when you click on import file: Understand my frustration now?

The red X through the black box is getting rid of the black background, so that shouldn't have anything to do with it. The lower portion of the image is white, but I changed it to black so I can see it better. The colors really do not matter of the image as I will be using different color vinyl anyways when cutting. As far as saving the image as an eps, I tried that, but VM doesn't recognize eps files. I have no idea why not, but when I go to import the image, it doesn't see it. What cutting software do you use darcshadow?

So SCALP IS better? Does it send the finished image to the cutter as VM does?