Two attempts, two different miscuts

[JohnnyPhive 1]

I am using the 14" MH series to cut stencils no bigger than 8" by 8" out of vinyl.  My SCALP version is 3.052.  I used the trace function to create a cutable file from a .jpg.

The first file I cut turned out perfect. It was not very complicated and only  a few small shapes.

 

The second file I tried was more intricate, but in the same size range. Approx 6" x 6".  .

 

The first attempt with the second image resulted in an orientation shift of a small portion of the image. One foot was rotated 90 degrees on the axis and was cut along the left side wing area.  Small small straight lines were also left, almost as though it was attempting to finish the cut prior to the orientation change.

 

The second attempt had the same issue, only with a different small portion of the image.  If I remember correctly, one the wing sections was shifted 90 degrees on the axis and a long cut was made to get the cutter to that point. 

 

On both there were cuts, not in the file, across the image.  It appears the cutter was not lifted between movements. 

 

The image below is the base image to the file I created in SCALP, for reference to the above descriptions.  I can post the SCAL file if it would help.

 

My questions are:

 

Is there a way to stop this from happening?

 

Is the file too intricate for this cutter?

 

Is this a cutter problem, rather than software? My assumption was maybe the program is sending incorrect information or is set incorrectly.

[Go-C Graphics 856]

Same thing was happening to me with my MH-871.

The only way I can get it to cut large or detailed images was to use the Flexi software to cut.   

 

I think it's a problem with the SCALP software

[MZ SKEETER 4,708]

You could try FREE Signblazer software and see if it helps you.  You can download it here in the forum.  It is an unlimited free trial. 

[JohnnyPhive 1]

Thank you, both. Glad to here it may only be the software.  I will see if I can find the download and give it a try.

[Dakotagrafx 7,297]

http://forum.uscutter.com/index.php?/topic/20104-full-version-signblazer-download-all-cutters/

[MZ SKEETER 4,708]

http://forum.uscutter.com/index.php?/topic/20104-full-version-signblazer-download-all-cutters/

3RD POST DOWN  User CUTME  

[Wildgoose 4,200]

Try this version to see if it will cut it. It's in illustrator version CS5 but last time I was using SCALP it would cut CS5. If it will cut this then that may eliminate any weirdness that may have happened during the trace. 

Disc Golf trace.ai

[JohnnyPhive 1]

Try this version to see if it will cut it. It's in illustrator version CS5 but last time I was using SCALP it would cut CS5. If it will cut this then that may eliminate any weirdness that may have happened during the trace. 

Thank you Wildgoose.  I will give this a try as soon as I get the chance, hopefully tonight after work.  

[JohnnyPhive 1]

Try this version to see if it will cut it. It's in illustrator version CS5 but last time I was using SCALP it would cut CS5. If it will cut this then that may eliminate any weirdness that may have happened during the trace. 

Wildgoose, it worked perfectly. No deviations in orientation or extra lines anywhere.  Seriously, thank you.

[Wildgoose 4,200]

Okay, that tells us that SCALP tracing is the culprit. You might want to download a copy of Inkscape. It's a free open source program that does a pretty good job of things. I'm an illustrator guy so I don't know my way around Inkscape as well but I have a copy on my day job computer and fumble around with it from time to time. It doesn't have some of the Cadillac features that I have gotten used to but with some practice I think you can create about anything you want with it. SCALP is a decent cutting tool but it is lacking in the design side of things. I would recommend just using it as your cutting program and do you design elsewhere.  

[JohnnyPhive 1]

I will definitely give it a try.  Perhaps one day I'll get into this enough to want to purchase a better program in general. Again, thank you for the help and advice.