Wildgoose

Super Moderators
  • Content Count

    6,513
  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    293

Everything posted by Wildgoose

  1. Wildgoose

    Minimum amount of movement

    I have a subscription to flexi but it's not currently on and I'm not wonderful with it but I think the answer you need is probably in this section that I found on a search. The info on the top right paragraph should be the way to determine what gets cut. Sounds like if it's not selected then it will cut in the order it was created. But if selected will cut a section then move to the next. You will probably need to experiment a little to figure out what works. Good luck and maybe someone will happen along who knows for sure.
  2. Jimmy you will have a better experience if you sign in to the forum. As it is a moderator has to approve each of your posts since you are a guest. Thank you.
  3. I think you can just get it looking like you want using the outline module and then convert it to curves and then just type in the size you want it to be up there in the dimensions box. Bear in mind that if you do this it will generally only let you adjust one direction and the other will automatically scale to keep the proportions constrained. You can unlock the constrained but then in your case it will stretch the offset lines and cause them to be irregular. Another option would be to first build the outer size exactly like you want it and then do inset lines to get the rest of the lines so they are keyed to the outer shape. Like most I keep a few tools handy. I am primarily an Adobe Illustrator guy but it's got a severe learning curve that I would not recommend to beginners. Inkscape is totally free and hard to beat as a learning tool.
  4. Wildgoose

    Vinylmaster and Liyu?

    I would still try to talk to someone at Future Corp but I would be very surprised if it would NOT run it. Most of the cutter language is pretty simple.
  5. Wildgoose

    Cutting extension not appearing in Illustrator

    I'm not a Graphtec owner so my knowledge is limited to what I read. Are you loading the proper version of Cutting Master? https://www.graphtecamerica.com/cp-softwares
  6. Wildgoose

    SignCut Pro pre cut feed

    If you are running the older version they have that there on their site as well. It's a little more hidden but its there. If you don't have a lifetime dongle then you will need to pick a payment plan and make a payment. I seriously doubt that the new program is incompatible with your cutter. those guys can cut on just about any cutter imaginable. Some obscure cutters may not be listed but the generic drivers usually work. As mentioned by Skeeter, they have live tech support. You log in and ask for help then they will contact you back and help you get it figured out.
  7. Wildgoose

    Connecting to an iPad

    I run mac. I have the newest iPad Pro and no there is no program that will connect with a cutter. Nothing very efficient on the vector art program options either. Kind of sucks because they are so handy for other things it would be nice to be able to plink away at things when I'm out on the road. My wife as a MacBook Pro, that's a sweet machine. I don't get to play on it very often. She is possessive! I use Adobe Illustrator for design and cut through SignCut Pro 1. SignCut is mac and pc compatible so you can run it on either platform. The pro 1 version does not do design, only cutter interface. I think the new Pro 2 has more options. I'm so zen with AI that I tend to just stay with what works for me. Some of the cutters are not mac compatible. I think I saw someone get one of the MH cutters to run on a mac but in general you'll probably have glitch issues that just aren't worth the trouble to stay in a mac environment. Like mentioned here I recommend just finding a cheap windows laptop and use it as your interface. You can still do all your design work on your mac and just transfer it over via thumb drive. Most of those who run the older XP computers don't even hook up to internet so they are still nice and stable. Well, as stable as windows gets I guess. I actually have a windows 7 laptop that I do most of my cutting on. If and when it craps out I can roll my cutter over and hook it up to my iMac but I prefer not to have the cutter over in my design workspace or tied to my computer. I generally keep working on other things while it's over there cutting. If you own mac products then you are not averse to spending money. Get a little better cutter, you'll be glad you did once you learn the ropes. The MH cutters are like buying toys out of the vending machines in the front of the drugstore. It doesn't cost that much more to step up to an SC and have a significant better experience.
  8. Wildgoose

    need help with

    No luck on my tries.
  9. Wildgoose

    font is too high

    If you are using SignCut there are options to decide if you want the program to override the control that is on the machine. Glad it's maybe working. Possibly needed a restart to clear out the old although I have not heard of that. Copam are a good mid level machine that has always had good reviews.
  10. Wildgoose

    font is too high

    I would start by drawing a small square and testing on that. Fonts can be deceptive. Make sure you are in MM not inches too. Are you using an MH Cutter? Does your machine/software allow you to adjust this on the machine control panel or only in the software?
  11. Wildgoose

    font is too high

    This is called Blade Offset and you should be around the 0.25 mm to 0.35 mm start with and adjust from there for most machines.
  12. Wildgoose

    aviary-image-1533745198619

    Arty-rc's method is the best way. A alternative is to add a second color and cut both at the same time in your cut by color settings.
  13. Wildgoose

    Heat Pressing long sleeves

    I have a sleeve/leg press pillow that is about 6"x 18" that you can slide in most long sleeves and it keeps the seam in the underarm from causing issues. I now have a Fusion with a sleeve platen that is totally awesome if the garment has room. If it won't I use the pillow. I do not charge "extra" for it being a complicated press but definitely charge for the extra location. https://www.uscutter.com/PTFE-Heat-Transfer-Application-Pillow
  14. Wildgoose

    setup

    I do a lot of HTV cutting and have found that the same setting as I use for calendared budget vinyl works great. HTV has a plastic carrier that is very forgiving but it will bunch behind the blade if you use too much pressure. A nice sharp blade is the key. I recommend clean-cut blades. The only times I have had cutting issues was when I lost a blade tip and didn't know it. Don't forget to mirror your design because you are cutting the adhesive side on HTV.
  15. Wildgoose

    sc2 software mac

    I run a mac for most things, here's my take. IF you design in some other program such as Adobe Illustrator and are simply using the program as a cutter interface the SignCut program is the way to go for mac IMO. I have not tried out the new SignCut Pro 2 so can't speak to how much design ability is there but Pro 1 which I use has no design ability and is just for cutting designs from other programs. If you want to design in a mac environment and don't already have skills and access to a design program the Sure Cut's a Lot is the only offering from USCutter and most of us who do graphics a lot are underwhelmed by it's ability so you probably have a better choice doing the parallels with VM like you say you have already chosen. IF just using the cut version I would certainly take a peek at SignCut pro 2 with the free trial and maybe it would be a viable option. You will pay for Signcut and it's not all that cheap. I think you can get a higher level of VM for similar investment but would be stuck with running parallels forever. SignCut does offer the advantage of being cross platform compatible compared to VM so you could load it into either mac or pc and bounce around between the two but if you don't own a dongle that is a more limited thing with only a certain amount of moves before having to call in and get authorization ( 5 moves I think). With the dongle you can have it loaded and viable on all your computers and just move around with the dongle (usb key) to which ever one suits your notion that day.
  16. Wildgoose

    Need info on what type of vinyl to use

    Before I bought my own cutter we would purchase a decent volume of decals for various things at the construction company I manage. Never remember having any issue with them even after setting around for quite some time. Good quality vinyl like 951 (751 is good too but 951 cuts like a dream) will cost more by the yard but will cut, weed and later come off the carrier sheet so much better that is' definitely worth it for this kind of application.
  17. Same! Although I usually try pretty hard to use a close color you never seem to be able to represent the actual cut vinyl especially if it's silver or gold. They often tweak and respond in a panic if I forget to say something about it when I send it over. LOL to the OP CFS you can also use a trick to do knock out letters by just cutting both colors at once and have instant knock out without having to build a knock out file.
  18. Awesome example of how mole hills sometimes really are mountains. The little bit of misalignment or problem with rotation is all it takes to have issues. Similar with too much blade exposed that all the newbies seem to mess up. Glad you're back up and running!
  19. I'm no expert and only recently even got a printer where I can begin to do print and cut work. From what my understanding is there should be some bleed allowing for the contour if it's something that needs to have no white showing through. Maybe you're trying to cut it too close to the print edge.
  20. Wildgoose

    Plotter/Cutter Type

    Seems like 80% - 90% of the new people on the forum bought the MH series cutter they practically give away for the shipping cost so you have a better cutter than 80 - 90% of the new people on the forum!
  21. I have not but have seen some of that type data a time or two. Our software is Agtek 4D (used to be 3D but like everything there is always an upgrade). It's pretty expensive at around 14K per license, we run 2. And there is tech support for about $1200-1500 per year annually. Definitely not for small outfits that aren't in the big game but it gives us unparalleled take-off accuracy and we build all our own 3D surface models in house for the GPS machine control and handheld rover units out on the jobs. I get a kick out of it because it's so much like digital work. Perhaps I should say I get a kick out of Vector design since it's so much like surface modeling. I just wish the Agtek program had all the bells and whistles that Illustrator has. There are several other big name takeoff programs out there as well. Agtek seems to be the contractors choice at least out here in the west. Some are more CAD based and harder to use IMO. Agtek is simple enough even a caveman can do it.
  22. Ha! I have been training a new guy, well really and old guy that we pulled into the office, to do computer take-offs for estimating road work. The program we use is sort of similar to vector and you input the elevations at appropriate points as you go and end up with a 3D surface model of the terrain to compare against the original grades that are input in another section. He uses a trackball and by golly you are correct I absolutely detest trying to use his computer when trying to show him something. Nevertheless I have tried to leave his be and use it just for the experience. But I am always glad when I go back to my own workstation and to my basic mouse again. Funny how you get accustomed to something.
  23. I attempted to use a Wilcom tablet with Adobe Illustrator one year. It wasn't exactly cheap but it would work. I found, strangely, that I have no natural drawing ability so the whole thing was not going to work for me. Luckily I wrapped it back up and took it back and got my money back. One problem I had was it was not a drawing tablet that showed the design on the tablet so you had to watch the computer and draw over here with your hand. Not handy for me. It also made me try and learn a while bunch of new methods to draw in Illustrator which is already a two handed affair so it didn't work in that end. My niece has a little tiny 5" pad that she uses with her mac. It is probably too small to utilize but it was at least inexpensive.
  24. Wildgoose

    Im new . like today new . i need an adult .

    Explain the problem you are having with the pen tool. What model of cutter did you get and what software are you using with it? Some use a felt tip pen others use a ball point. Typically the down force is adjusted to put the correct force so it writes but doesn't smash the tip. The offset will go to zero because pens are centered without the castor action of a drag knife blade. All good practice things to learn how to do and congratulations on entering the fray and also on taking a little time to learn your machine before you break a tip or worse by trying to cut without knowing your machine.
  25. Wildgoose

    New into the print world.. where to start?

    That's awesome man!