badun

Found my answer by better Googling (object along path). Draw a Bezier curve. Select the original object (in my case, both sets of text were grouped) and the curve. Extensions Generate From Path Pattern along Path Copies = 1 Deformation type = 1 Then I hid the Bezier curve using its Properties dialog. Result is attached. Venom Helmet Curved.svg

I designed the attached logo and it works great on flat surfaces. But it's a bear to apply to a curved surface, such as the front of baseball helmet. I'm thinking that if I curve the entire object it will be much easier to apply to the helmet. The question is, how do I curve all of it to the same degree? I can't find a way to apply this to every object in the image. Advice? Venom Helmet.svg

I just figured it out! There are two tracks for the cutting holder; an inner and outer one. The inner one allows the metal bracket I removed and reattached to hit the kill switch that stops the carriage. So all I did wrong was put the holder in the wrong track. In the correct track it hits the kill switch and stops at the true origin. D'oh!

Vinyl cutter model: Refine ECO 24 Connection method: USB Software: SignCut Operating system: Win7 64 Material: Oracal 651 I tried cutting multiple copies for the first time in SignCut and although I set the media size to the proper setting I didn't realize that I also had to set the number of copies that would fit across the Y axis. Thus the cutter ran off the edge of the vinyl. No damage other than it did jump the track. The bottom guide wheels went back in w/out a problem but the top wheel had also left the groove. The only way I was able to get it back in was to remove the bracket on the top of holder that hold the PCB and ribbon cable. Just two screws hold it on and there doesn't seem to be a way to screw that up, but now when I power on the cutter the holder tracks to the home position and then bangs its head against the wall. In other words, it doesn't seem to know where to stop. The Engrish instruction manual doesn't mention this condition at all. What do I need to do to tell the holder where home base is so it doesn't bash itself senseless?

If it's just for home projects, you may want to look on eBay. You can buy smaller lengths and widths that way w/out paying the ridiculous prices for vinyl sold to Cricut owners. The brands are the same as mentioned here but they've been cut down from larger rolls.

I'm in the process of making my first cuts with my new Refine ECO 24. I have the blade pressure working fine now so the cuts are precise and smooth, but the pinch rollers are leaving impressions on my sample vinyl as well as the standard A4 paper that I used with the plotter pen. My initial vinyl order is held up due to the wintry weather and I don't want to waste the few samples I have of premium Oracal so I've been using a remnant of Oracal 651 that I've had for a year. And I don't know how old it was when I bought it from a supplier then. I reduced the amount of pressure on the pinch rollers from the factory default using the turn screws but I am still getting significant roller impressions on the vinyl. My question: Should I keep reducing the pinch roller pressure or is it more likely that the vinyl I'm working with has seen better days and would show a fly's footprint at this time? I don't want to waste vinyl if the answer is "keep turning the screws". Thanks!

Perhaps this?

That certainly explains the picture. When I first saw his version, my thought was "This guy seems to know his stuff and he's certainly very helpful. Too bad no one told him how ugly he is before he made his own picture his avatar." Glad to hear that neither of you is that guy!

Thanks, all. I should have thought to apply moderate heat to it. I'm sure that will take care of the marks. Rodger: I don't know how to qualify a search and find this on my own (I mean, I know how to search the forum but no idea how to phrase it to get this particular result), so would you care to explain why you and another user share the same picture, just mirror images of each other?

I've long been interested in computer graphics, especially for real world applications within my family. After a series of less than optimal experiences with local graphics businesses, I decided to buy my own cutter to support my daughter's travel softball team. I'm the team manager and it's very, very frustrating to take orders from parents and then hear all the excuses from vendors about why the order is late, wrong, or just never going to be delivered. I'd much rather it all be on me to get it done! With time, I may also be able to support some of other local teams and maybe even pay for the machine someday! But even if I don't, it's really something I enjoy and I'm looking forward to playing and working with vinyl. I just bought a 24" USCutter Refine Eco and will hopefully have it within a week. My first task will be to create some heat transfer numbers and helmet decals. Everything is already designed in Inkscape but I'm sure I will have LOTS of questions for the fine people in this forum.

I used a deferred payment option for it so I let her mind make the connection that it would somehow pay for itself before the money is due.

I'm interested in purchasing a cutter and would like advice based on my potential uses. I will primarily use the device for making vinyl decals. I manage a softball team and I'm so sick of dealing with shady/uncaring businesses that I'm starting to do as much that I can by myself. I will need to make helmet-sized and small vehicle decals (the decals are small, not the vehicles). Figure about 8" max. I wouldn't mind getting into heat transfers for shirts but that's not an imperative. Two color graphics would be the max I need (white with a border, most likely), but if single color is all I can manage then I can live with basic white. I am a highly proficient PC user and a modest graphics user. I designed our team logo in Inkscape so I'm fairly familiar with vector graphics. I do not want to start the logo all over again so software that can import SVG or other Inkscape output is important. I do not see this growing into a business and definitely not into full-size signs (I have a relative that will do those, but he's not really interested in small batches of decals). Right now I'm leaning towards the Silhouette because it seems sufficient for my needs and the price is definitely right. Reviews all seem pretty positive but I'm completely open to suggestions. Thanks for your input!

D'oh! Yeah, it is a communication problem that will hopefully be resolved through software once I converse with support. No pun intended.

Thanks to all for the welcome! I'm anxious to get started but I'm having difficulties getting my cutter to work. I opened a ticket with support yesterday so hopefully I'll be cutting this week and can show my first efforts!

Thanks! I have most of the equipment already thanks to other hobbies so it looks like I can concentrate on vinyl supply.

While I wait for the cutter to arrive, what else will I need to or want to purchase? Supplies, tools, etc. This is for essentially hobby use (vinyl decals, primarily) so I don't need anything in bulk unless it's a consumable that makes sense to buy a lot of at one time. Also, how should I start educating myself on the basics? I'm familiar with raster and vector graphics creation but have never used a cutter before.

After careful thought I decided to act on impulse (j/k) and get the 24" Refine Eco Cutter from USCutter. I got it off of eBay and saved $9 on shipping - woohoo! Although I could definitely limit my needs to the Robotec's size, I decided that for the little bit extra I would definitely find uses for a larger cutter. And since I will making items in bulk (albeit small numbers) it made sense to take advantage of larger material sizes and cost savings therein. Once I figure out how I'm going to tell my wife that I bought it I will start posting in the relevant sections so I can figure out how to actually use it.

Thanks all, good food for thought.

Thanks for the responses! What would be the next step up from the Silhouette?