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For that design, I would try a solid red circle, then yellow with the red areas cut out, then white, then black. I could see maybe doing the black part of the laces before the white but with practice as haunmana said, you should only have to do as many layers as colors.

If you're running four colors on the softball, you should be able to do it in four layers rather than seven. It's just a matter of figuring out how best to setup each cut of color, and which order to layer it in. I understand your thought process though. We all started somewhere, and while you think it's kind of a waste of time, it'll be worth while trying to figure it out, because you will come across more projects that will require layering, and if you take the time to figure it out on the personal, fairly smaller design, then you can hit the ground running for the commercial/larger jobs. Kudos to you on your first go around, my first try looked nothing like it was supposed to.

Graphtec offers a Mac version called Graphtec Studio, it's a basic, watered down version of the Windows counter part. In reality, you can use any cutting software that will support the CE7000.

Biggest problem that new users have is setting the blade depth correctly. Too many incorrect instructions out there saying use a credit card or post it notes. This is 10 times too much blade sticking out of the blade holder. Also blade offset is ZERO on a Graphtec. Make sure you haven't broken the blade tip off, very easy to do. Make sure flange is holding down the blade holder. To start with, you should set your blade depth correctly, by taking the blade holder out of the machine, and firmly cut across a piece of scrap vinyl, you will be cutting. You should only be cutting the vinyl and barely a mark on wax paper backing, Adjust blade to get there, Then put the blade holder back in machine, and use the force of the machine to get there, same results, only cutting the vinyl and barely a mark in wax paper backing. You should barely see and feel the blade tip out of the blade holder. Regular sign vinyl is only 2-3 mil thick. You only cut with the very tip of the blade. When you think the blade is so far in the blade holder, that you think it would not even cut, that is probably correct.

I think it turned out awesome and feel good about making another in full size. I'm even liking the peeled up dots all over the place, so I found a sheet of 16 gauge about that size. Then I tossed the sheet on my plasma table and cut out the shape I cleaned up both sides. It ended up being about 32" wide X 28" tall. Then did the same process that i did on the smaller one. Here's a pic of it after all the painting is done and the vinyl peeled off. I guess waiting a little dry more time helped since the white didn't come up this time. It looked so good, I had a hard time deciding if I should distress it or not. And here it is after all the distressing is done. I'm debating about putting a couple bullet holes in it, and possibly adding some rusted edges... not sure yet. When I decide where it's going, I'll figure out mounting holes. And some detail pics, I love the way it turned out, especially the black letters!