Dee Wilson

Print verus cutting

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I'm trying to use my MH 871 MK2 to print versus cut.  I put the pen tool  in and I can get it to print if I select 'cut' with the pen tool in, but it outlines everything as it thinks it is cutting.  If I select print and send it to my US Cutter, it doesn't do anything.  What am I doing wrong?  I don't care if I have to select cut to get it to do it as long as it doesn't outline my text.  Please help!!!

I have included a picture of what I am trying to print (it is roughly 2 feet by 4 feet), I would just like solid lines for the states as well as the text.

IMG_1526.jpg

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Your MH 871 cutter is a vinyl cutter/plotter.  Designs are done in a vector format, OUTLINES.  Print, is sending the design from your software to an actual wide format printer that uses ink.   Format would be jpeg, pixals.  Vinyl cutters/plotters are not printers. 

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Some programs do have a fill option that people have used with a marker. It basically adds a bunch of lines to areas that are "solid". Works ok for markers with a wide enough tip but would not work with a pen very well.

I don't recall the name of the software or the name of the feature. Maybe someone who remembers it, or has done it will reply here.

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Looks like Flexi and the fill option is what you want. There may be other options, this was the first one I found.

 

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Think of it this way ---  the machine is going to follow PATHS (composed of nodes/points) with the blade or pen.

If you bought this machine to print, then you made a mistake.

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simple explanation is ,as others have said ,  this is a plotter and not a printer. knowing the difference is key

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Thank for all the info.  I bought it as a cutter so that is it's primary purpose, I was trying the print for a special project.  I was also told to try a thinner font.  I'm going to see if I can find a marker that is a little bit thicker but will still fit in there.  That might help as well.

I will try the Flexi and fill option too!

 

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Hey Dee...

No, a cutter is not a printer; however, a smart polygon layout will give you a pattern similar to what you want.
You need to find a wire representation of the US.  Convert it to monochrome with any paint program.  I convert it into .bmp.

Then import that .bmp into vinylmaster.  Do edge detection on the .bmp.  You will have to a serious amount of experimentation to get the proper print effect.  Start with a very simple shape, say Arizona (some curves and straight vectors).  If it is just not working out after about 30 minutes, find another simple shape.

Once you found a print that works, move up to more complicated picts.  When I am using the ink cartridge attachment, I use the fattest ballpoint, which has been 1.7.

Attached is a svg of UC Davis street map.  Correct, a cutter is not a printer; however, this works enough for my purposes.

Dave  

 

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Who you talking to, Willis?

MissDee was here for 1 day, randomly, in 2018, and you show up years later with some mediocre advice, and that blind link to a .vDoc attachment you expect people to download and open? .vDoc can be created to transmit malware and virus! Easily. No thanks, Dave.

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