Graphtec Studio - Contour Cutting - Need some help

[Vermonster 111]

HI, 

I'm using my CE6000 and a Workforce 7010 loaded with 3G Opaque papers (well, I wasted enough of them so now it's got plain paper)

http://www.graphtecamerica.com/contour-cutting-print-cut-in-graphtec-studio

I'm using this tutorial EXACTLY.  I even had my wife watch me to verify I'm not missing any steps but EACH time it prints the stupid contour cut color even though I did what the instructions say (6:50 in this video) and unchecked that unique color I used for my contour cut.

Anyone run into this?  

[Vermonster 111]

Oddly enough, I called Graphtec and they were absolutely ZERO help.  The guy kept telling me stuff that was 100% incorrect, then recanting. He resorted to reading me the manual - which didn't help solve the problem...

 

WTF... Gotta say.  I expected better Support from Graphtec. 

[edge 67]

While not a direct answer to your question, I'm wondering if an aspect of the design prevents you from setting the cut path as white or light shade of gray as a temp work around?

[Vermonster 111]

It may work (if using a white boarder) but if you want to overprint a black border and contour cut in the middle, you may have an issue.  Graphtec guy knew nothing about the software so I'm on my own to figure it out.

[jarrotto 78]

Are you using Windows or Mac? 

[jarrotto 78]

The same problem occurs on Graphtec Studio on Mac OSX 10.9.4 as well.  I don't use Graphtec Studio but it is printing the cut line after i have unchecked the box on the configure cut job options window.

[djque 246]

I tried it and it printed the line. But i also thought why would unchecking that box have anything to do with printing when its label cutting by color and not print by color. With that said i actually did somehow got it to open in print preview without the line. Im go give it a go again to see what i did.

I do have a question if i print it mirror do i also cut it mirror and which way do i load the paper. I never did a contour cut before lol

[jarrotto 78]

lol  i have no idea why its set up like that.  I have only made one printed transfer with 3g opaque, so i am not going to be very helpful...

 

Testing this was the 3rd time i have ever opened Graphtec Studio.  

 

I know it was pretty easy to print and cut from illustrator and contour cut from illustrator.  It took me hours the first time, until i figured out i did not leave enough room at the top of the page to read registration marks.  It needed like 3" if i remember right.

 

 

djque are you using mac or windows?  I am curious to know if it is happening on both, or just one...

[djque 246]

Im using mac. But what i dont get is why would its not go print the outline when its not cutting its just printing. To me it has nothing to do with printing when u uncheck the box. I did everything he did but he never showed the printed image after. So i think he got the samething.

[jarrotto 78]

Yeah i agree with you.  It might just be how it is.  I would like to see someone on Windows try it just to make sure that its not a bug with the Mac version.

[djque 246]

This worked for me.

 

1) selected my image and sized it

2) selected offset window and set it to what I wanted it to be.

3) selected line window and open it (used the lines) Now at the bottom under  selected  I Used in front.

4) while the outline was still selected I Held down control and Click the mouse pad (Mac) then selected Release compound path

5) with the line still selected I went to the edit window and I selected copy then I cut it and pasted it back.

6) with the line still selected select the edit points to the left and select any points (Nodes you don't want to cut. Then select edit and copy again.

7) open up the registration marks window and select you preference you like I used 4 marks 2 type set them.

select the line Cut line and cut it out. now go to configure cut job and it should only show the outline of the image. and not the cut line.

9) If everything is ok then print it out.

10) Now at the top right click fill color window and the image will fill again.

11) Now go back to edit and select Paste (Not Paste in front)

12) Go to configure cut window again select cut by color .now you should see your cut line color (I selected red) and A no color box and uncheck that.

13) Now send to you printed and it will contour cut perfect.

 

I just did this and its easy once you remember to edit the nodes you dont want cut but release path will also help.

[djque 246]

One thing I made my cut line so the color blends or replace the image line. you can check it by turning both on in configure cut job.

[jarrotto 78]

Glad you got it working in Graphtec Studio.  That should help others who only use Graphtec Studio.

 

 

 

I will stick to illustrator and the Cutting Master Plugin.  

[djque 246]

Glad you got it working in Graphtec Studio.  That should help others who only use Graphtec Studio.

 

 

 

I will stick to illustrator and the Cutting Master Plugin.  

yeah I got to learn it in illustrator 5. now I was messing with it yesterday. after this post I got interested in contour cutting. I have time today to mess with ai.

[jarrotto 78]

It has worked well for me in CS6, CC, and CC 2014.  Just save your work before you launch the plugin, every now and again it tends to crash.

 

Sometimes i have to work a little bit more to get a clean contour cut line.  

 

There is probably an easier way then how i do it...  

 

I copy my object and paste it in front, then i use the shape builder tool or the pathfinder tool and merge any shapes inside of other shapes i don't want cut individually.  

 

I change the fill to a stroke with a bright color that is not in the artwork.  Then i change the stroke to .25.   Then object > expand.  

 

Add registration marks:  File > Cutting Master 3 > Registration Marks. 

 

Use the layers panel and hide the bright colored cut stroke.  Print it.  

 

Un hide the cut stroke and then send to cutting master 3.  

 

Then on configure cut job, (which is practically the same as graphtec studio) deselect all colors except for the cut line and cut it. 

[nunavik 0]

I am about to buy the 24" Graphtec (CE6000-60) and want to make sure it can contour cut for packaging mock-up, door hangers, etc… What carrier sheet are you using?

 

Thanks

 

Morrie