Wildgoose

Did it come with any software? A cutter isn't like a printer that will just plug and play. What design are you trying to cut? We need more info to be able to help you.

I would also counsel you to keep saving and waiting and try and find a used better quality machine. I don't think you're going to see that much of an improvement and you don't want to be setting in the same position in another year or two. You are going to want to try and get a machine with a servo motor rather than a stepper.

I have 7 girls so although I have no current son in laws I expect I'll have a few sooner or later and I think it's only fair game to utilize the benefits!

Just out of curiosity what program are you designing in addieleigh?

I have to laugh about the Volkswagen. I have an accord that a couple of my girls drive to high school and I recently bought a 96 Toyota Landcruiser to be my plaything and a second option for them to share. At first they were skeptical of the cruiser until the snow hit this winter and they realized that thing is a mountain goat on wheels. Now they won't drive the Honda even when the roads are good but the crusier only gets like 12 mpg. My wife has a 4x4 suburban so she's pretty much spoiled and doesn't realize it.

This is good advice and I second the info. You need to realize that we are for the most part just a group of people just like you. We bought machines that are budget minded and have a group that has worked through the learning curve on an almost clandestine industry and are just trying to be helpful to others who are in the same boat. I would say your post was a little accusatory and hostile and garnered a like response.

I agree with the critique from mr300s about the alignment issues but otherwise the design oozes blacksmith. I love it!

Tracing them or cutting a paper template to scan is the quickest way to go. I don't know if you will find a start to finish video. Each step is it's own set of skills. Are you going to try and design with the SCALP program? Most people move on to something else for that part of the process. I would suggest Inkscape or SignBlazer. They are both free programs, SignBlazer has a link here on USCutter somewhere and Inkscape is an open source program. SCALP has a decent trace feature but most of the design options on that program don't compare with either of the other free options.

I use SignCut but with a Summa so my setting won't help you out. They have a good tech help line if you call or email them they will get you going. Definitely something with the cutter or the cutting program. Weird that it will cut other stuff ok. You should be downsaving to version 8 for cutting on SignCut. Have you ran it through the preview and seen if it's messing up during the pre-run?

Ok so what's frog juice? I don't print much I just have an Epson WF30 with cobra ink CISS that I do a few shirt transfers with. Should have went bigger.

Me too. Sounds cool and is compatible with pigment ink

I did a set of volleyball girls pics onto a white tie for the coach at our local high school. Used jet pro soft stretch, my normal light colored transfer and it turned out pretty good. One of the moms who I have made several HTV team shirts for actually said to my face "That looks like a professional did it." I had blood running out my mouth I was biting my tongue so hard not to make some smart comeback.

Now that's the advice I should have thought of myself!

I likewise see zero issues with the file at this stage so it's gotta be an import issue of some sort. When I was using SCALP I was able to import in my native CS5 format. What AI version are you working in? If I remember correctly my version of SCALP didn't like the older format (AI version but they have upgraded several times since I quit using it so I have no idea what the current status is. We are all assuming you are using SCALP for cutting.

And highly copy written.

Thanks for the posts! Grabbed a copy for myself too.

Great work and the reaper is freakin awesome!

Welcome from Idaho. We were all newbies too at one point. Sounds like you have done a lot of your homework, that's the best way to figure it out. This is probably the friendliest forum I have ever been on and it rubs off on most who join.

Upload the AI file here on the board and I'll see if I can help figure it out.

How big is this going to be? There are a lot of small elements that will be tough if it's too small. Is the background white? That's really going to be a complete re-draw to look good. I'd do it for probably $45 or $50 but those other guys might work cheaper than that.

Man I don't know if there is any kind of standard for large rear window graphics. There is probably a basic rule of thumb for smaller stuff but I always just take or ask for a measurement and build to suit. I have also found that you can get into trouble with install if you don't leave a little leeway around the edges. I put some on the side windows of my own suburban and had to re-cut because I didn't think about the angle on opposite sides being reversed.

This is probably a dumb question but do you have illustrator? If so why are you trying to draw in SCALP? Waste of time, assuming you have access to AI.

My sister and her husband had her 40th wedding anniversary last night so I took my new found fun and made them a plate! The pick kinda sucks but the plate turned out cool and everyone loves a personalized gift.

Welcome from Idaho. You will have a little learning right off the bat, ok, maybe a lot of learning but it's not rocket science and it's a blast and very rewarding.

This isn't specifically what you are asking but maybe you can use it. US FLag Wave.eps