skarekrow

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Everything posted by skarekrow

  1. skarekrow

    cut to ltr upgade?

    First, the VinylMaster LTR version will not take the place of Gimp. I don't use LTR but my Vm PRO can not preform all the Raster tasks it can so, I doubt 'LTR' can either. Most any 'graphics artist' will still need Raster capable Graphics Software for many image-based Projects. If you are, "already is frustrated that the images have to be created and then traced instead of being created ready to cut." Inkscape creates images in Vector that are 'CUT Ready'... Or are you creating them in GIMP/ Auto Tracing in INKSCAPE/ Save & Open in CUT? If so, you don't necessarily need an up grade in Software but may need an 'upgrade' to your Workflow. As Dakota mentioned, LTR may eliminate (depending up the extent of your Design Needs & Abilities) your need for using Inkscape and combine and simplify your Vector/ Plotter needs. So, there are just 2 basic choices to make... If you are satisfied with the Creation & Modification abilities of your present Design Software Selections, Create the Graphics in Vector with Inkscape and/or CUT and Open them in your Vm Cut and be done. Otherwise, if Un-Satisfied, 2) Pinpoint where the shortcomings with your present systems are and look at the list of LTR attributes and decide if the Upgrade covers it. We cannot ascertain where you are dissatisfied... only you know that.
  2. skarekrow

    Help with 3 color logo

    Look over WildGoose's video of the Parchment Paper Registration Technique...
  3. skarekrow

    Help with 3 color logo

    If I were creating that 4 color image in vinyl I would definitely eyeball a Stacked alignment on the light table for 'Perfect' lay-up... might wanna stack it largest color areas to smallest, too. (Though I think that White will hold it's cool color-temp better over the Blue than the Red.)
  4. skarekrow

    Cut Studio

    I have been with VinylMaster Pro since June of 2014 and extremely happy with it as Plotter/ Cut Software and more than satisfied with its Vector Creation/Modification Tools. A standard issue Pro version (non-US Cutter) of Vm should support as many cutters as you may have and will certainly do perforated cuts (in one pass) and most any plotter related project you can throw at it. Not familiar with 'VersaWorks' but, VinylMaster Pro comes up short on Raster Tools but, in it's defense, it was Designed for Vector-based work. No matter (for me) I use Adobe Photoshop (since the early 90's) for all my Raster work and Inkscape (free vector software) and Adobe Illustrator still get a few chores thrown their way as they has some excellent vector tools as well.
  5. skarekrow

    Vectorizing Sites and Members

    Thanks, Goose... that's good enough to put in an Ad.
  6. skarekrow

    Cut Studio

    Didn't mean you, dgraf... the op didn't answer. >I can't use vinylmaster because the version I have won't let me use Roland drivers. Also, one advantage to cutstudio is not having to export and reimport. < Oh.. and your Vm version doesn't have the required ROLAND driver?
  7. skarekrow

    Cut Studio

    Yup... mentioned it as well. without response /\
  8. skarekrow

    Vectorizing Sites and Members

    I answered earlier today on, what I thought was this thread... Don't see it now so I will repost. Sent a Pm to the Op as well. Thank you for your interest Kent and, "Yes", I do vector (and other Software related) work and would be happy to look at any projects you may have. The price varies with the job particulars and are quoted after those are known. Proofs are provided with Deposit (Paypal generally) and Completed Files are provided in several formats of your choosing. You can PM me here or email me at malcohm.fore@gmail.com with requests. Additionally, I have a website at http://www.malcoHm.com for a look at some past projects. Thanks for your interest and look forward to working with you, malcoHm (PM with a few more details sent.)
  9. skarekrow

    Help with 3 color logo

    First, posting an image and/or your vector file would be helpful to pinpoint issues. Second, the "MH" is not known for its initial or repeatable accuracy, that alone could be the entire problem throwing off your registration marks. Additionally, you mentioned, " I put a set of registration marks on top..." 3 point (triangular) registration is far more accurate than 2 point... if that's what you meant. Finally, the 'Light Table' method of registration is often more reliable than using Cross-marks (without back-lighting) alone, of coarse, depending upon size of the graphic and whether the lay-up is done in the shop or on site.
  10. It's not just Graphtec... Flexi, VinylMaster, Corel, Adobe, etc all offer saving files in Proprietary file formats. The important thing for the user is to not corner yourself by limiting your saved work in those formats. We don't know what tomorrow holds and whether we will still have and use their product or if it's even still available for use, to open our files. I like VinylMaster's 'vDoc' format and the bells & whistles their use provides but I save my files in svg or eps as well.
  11. 18 (pages) X 7 (minutes) X (shop rate) = Job Cost You just need to ask yourself how much '3 hours' Shop time is worth with this Client . (Take it from me, always add half again the time you THINK it's gonna take until such time as you are completely confident in how long it's gonna take... Then you can DOUBLE the Time :)
  12. skarekrow

    Looking for a designer

    I can... pm sent.
  13. skarekrow

    Going from Illustrator to VinylMaster Cut, how to save?

    I like svg files, personally. They are usually smaller but eps files will hold other (non-vector) data simultaneously. .
  14. skarekrow

    Going from Illustrator to VinylMaster Cut, how to save?

    Vinyl Master will read either one of those 2 Formats as well as (most) Adobe proprietary, '.ai' Files.
  15. skarekrow

    I'm looking for this grin

    I recommend you take a foto of the Kayak and create what you need Custom. Will save you time and aggravation in the Long Run over trying to Modify a Stock Image. Even then, I would, at a minimum, create Templates and Paint the Graphic with Marine paint. Shortest workflow would actually be to pencil it in and paint it Freehand. YMMV
  16. skarekrow

    What fonts are in this graphic

    Thought I recognized that Medieval font as Greyson or Holy Empire.... not.
  17. skarekrow

    Cut Studio

    Though I have a Graphtec Plotter, I don't use their Cut Master software 'cause it's lame... same problem with Cut Studio?
  18. skarekrow

    Cut Studio

    Ahhh... never owned Roland so, didn't know. So it seems most of the OPs concerns could/would/should be addressed while the art is still in the design stages of Corel or Illustrator?
  19. skarekrow

    Cut Studio

    Not sure about VinylMaster 'Cut' but, VinylMaster 'Pro' has Drivers for the Roland GS 24. Have you checked to make sure you cannot continue to use your current copy of Vm?
  20. skarekrow

    Help with a knockout design

    A major problem with your design, Jesse, is that your "Cloud" (turd?) has its inner fill, punched out. You have a negative space there as opposed to a positive space (compare with my solid infield, circle). The ONLY opposing area to even punch out on your design (provided it was cut completely, which it's not) is in the stroked, outer wall of the cloud. edit: In your design, you cannot have negative text on the inside of your cloud... only positive, as your inner cloud is negative space.
  21. skarekrow

    Help with a knockout design

    I don't use Illustrator for this type treatment much (VinylMaster Pro... MUCH simplier to do) but, if you're having issues with WildGoose's Easy Method, here's an alternate technique: Make 2 copies of the lines of Text, stacked and aligned on top of one another and 3 copies of the Shape you're using to cut them out of. (The Circle in my example) Expand the Text and Shapes and with the Pathfinder Tool, Subtract one from the other, alternating with the Shape copies and the Text. In other words, Punch out the one Circle with each line of Text; "Melting" and "Snowflakes" . Then Punch out the remaining, identical lines of Text with the other, un-punched circle Shape. Helps if you make them all different colors to differentiate which one is which. Tougher to Explain than to do, at least in Vm it is. MeltingSnowFlakes.ai
  22. skarekrow

    Font Identification Help

    LHF Speedstyle is a decent look for that sort of thing, as well;
  23. skarekrow

    Font Identification Help

    I'd guess close will do... KGChelseaMarketScript is thus;
  24. Works as advertised here.