haumana

You can import the .gif to SBE, however, you'll need to convert it to a vector image prior to cutting. Everything needs to be vectorized, with exception to text that was type directly in SBE. To do so, select your image, then convert it to greyscale. Once in greyscale, you can then vectorize it. If it's a clean image, it should work smoothly. I use Vector Magic http://vectormagic.stanford.edu/ (it's free and fast), to vectorize most of my stuff ... until I can get a handle on how to use Inkscape (another free application). If all else fails, then post your image and request for vectorizing in the 'Vectorizing" bulletin board, and someone there is bound to help you.

As Ken said, until the contour software is ready or are doing some multiple layers thing - the laser doesn't have any value at the moment. As far as the cutter starting the cut someplace else, just make sure that after aligning the vinyl to your liking, that you move the blade to where you would like it to start, then press the 'bullseye and cross hairs'. That will zero both the x-axis and y-axis and the cutter will treat that as the new point of origin. Hopefully that will help you a bit. Took me a while to remember resetting the two axis, especially when I was using the 'test' button. Good luck. Happy cutting!

Here are some skulls for you ... They aren't vectorized yet. skulls.zip skulls.zip

Just wanna be crazy, huh?

try posting the actual vector file you are using to cut with. there will be someone here that can take a look at it and will either fix it, or point you in the right direction.

This forum was definitely the deciding factor in my decision to buy a US Cutter! This forum and the participants rocks! :you rock: :woohoo:

There are a few discussions about text size. It seams that not too many forum participants like cutting text smaller than 1/4". I suspect that they get the same results as you, with the blade weeding while cutting, or that it's a total pain to weed, or a combination of both. As far as lining up the vinyl, for me, I bought the LaserPoint with the stand (I was smart enough to pose that question to this forum prior to my purchase), I just let the vinyl straight from the roll with no slack for the initial alignment. It hasn't deviated off course yet. If it's a loose piece, but is long enough, a trick I used to do when I was doing large format plotting of AutoCAD drawings, I would simply feed enough paper until it could meet back up with the unfed portion and line up the sides, lock down the rollers, then reverse feed the paper. I know that it seems to be somewhat excessive, but for the amount of drawings I would punch out, that was by far the most accurate way for me to keep the paper on track. If the loose piece isn't big enough for that ... then I do my best to line it up with the black, yellow & white sticker that's on the front of the paper feed. I roll it back and forth, and will do minor adjustments leaving one roller down and gently nudging the other side. Good luck.

You're gonna love this forum. Then you'll be addicted to this forum. WELCOME!

Good to know. Cast might be the way to go then ... I don't know how much curvature there will be on the particular spot on the canoe they want the decal.

Well, I finally have my first paying request for a decal. This will be for a non-profit organization that does environmental clean-up on some of the sand islands that we have in one of our local lagoons. Unfortunately the canoes will not have any type of shelter whatsoever, so it will be in the direct sun at times ... a lot of the time. :- So I have two questions ... 1. What would be the best type of vinyl for me to use? It'll be going on an outrigger canoe. 2. How much should I charge? Decal would probably be about 36" x 12", and maybe a few smaller ones when they pick out a name for the 2 canoes. Thanks in advance for all your expertise! -J.

Definitely will do, and if you don't mind John, I would also like to forward your message to my friends and family who are both a bunch of soft-hearted compassionates and huge Pee Wee's Playhouse fans. Do you think she'd like some chocolate covered macs from a Hawaiian Santa?

Thanks for the input! A tangent question. Should I use cast vinyl instead of calendared vinyl? I will need to go to the supply store and pick-up the color they're looking for, so since I gotta buy something I thought I might as well get the stuff that works best for this applications. Thanks!

nothing? no two-cents from any one? :-

Is trace in v.9 standard? I know that my software is outdated, but at the price of the Adobe's software, I know that I can't afford to upgrade as often as I'd like. Anyway, I was using a plug-in (silhouette) - it was a timed trial. After the trial was over I uninstalled the plug-in, but now trace is totally functionless. Does trace work in v.9 without any plug-ins?

I think you need to email Bruce @ Sign Blazer. You can get that taken care of on their forum (you might have a faster response): http://www.signblazer.net/forum/index.php

Hey jayben - Cyber808 offers up everything ala carte so that you can taylor the website to your needs. I can give you a short list of a few of the websites that are being hosted on their servers, but only one is ecommerce (and for that, it uses a PayPal shopping cart (it's free!)). They have extra online services too - stuff to get your website on to search engines, online file storage, email accounts, etc. Anyway, here's the short list... http://www.diamondheadtheatre.com http://www.kiakahacanoesandpaddles.com http://www.kcpfp.org http://www.UHCPDiv.org http://www.kaimakana.org http://www.tiersofjoyhawaii.com http://www.DDtravelHI.com http://www.dlishcateringhawaii.com Good luck with your decision. It's never a bad a idea to have your own domain. If you don't put up a website, at least you have one for an email address that never changes, and can be spam filtered by more powerful spam applications (rather than relying on Yahoo or Hotmail). I set one up for my family and friends, so now we all can easily remember each other email address. http://www.Cyber808.com

I think it's safe to say that everyone here will readily endorse the US Cutter products, as well as Sign Blazer Elements. You cannot find a better user's forum that is available free of charge, and with members that are willing to share the experience and expertise with you. It was because of this forum that I decided to buy a US Cutter product (the LaserPoint), and I haven't regretted it for one moment. This was definitely the best of all that I compared. Good luck! and welcome to the forum!

very kewl.

You've come to the right place. I'm super new to cutting, but I love my LaserPoint. It's definitely one of my more favorite "toys". There are many here that are pro's, and many will endorse US Cutters. I hunted around for a good cutter with customer support. You can't get better helpful advice and guidance here. Welcome to one of the best forum out there! Oh ... and let us know what you decide to buy

If you're still having the problem, then make sure that you have the right port selecting in the cutting screen. Every once in a while my SBE goes back to LPT1 instead of stay on the USB like it's supposed to.

I would have to say that it would really depend on the type of vinyl you're using (i.e. glossy vs. matte, how porous it is, etc.) and it would depend how well the Epson can handle the material that you're using. Some printer are fickle when it comes to different media types. My best answer to you is, it's a trial and error thing. I would actually be asking the best vinyl to be using for inkjet printing would be. I wouldn't know the answer to that myself, but there are a few who might. Good luck, and let us know what you decide and/or what works.

Quick question - When I got to import a vectorized .eps file in SBE, why do only certain graphics appear in the preview boxes, while other are complete blacked out? It's kind of mental.

Thanks for the response. I will just have to learn to be more patient. Is there some kind of setting in AI that I can use so that the thumbnail is visible in SBE? (I have AI9). or If anyone out there has a recommendation that would be helpful.

I agree with securing your own domain. It doesn't cost much, and is totally flexible. I highly recommend going to Cyber808.com. So far, they are one of the cheapest places that I've seen that you can register your domain and choose whether or not to host your website by them (the hosting is super cheap too). The customer service is phenomenal! They too have online software that would allow you to design your own site, AND they also provide SSL cetificates (which is very reassuring to customers who want to make financial transactions with you), and they have shopping cart software too. Good luck!

Ahhh... okay. Got it. Well at the moment, I currently use Vector Magic to vectorize my stuff, until I can get a handle on Inkscape. Strange thing though - I go use both a workstation and a laptop. If I use VM on my workstation, I can easily open the file in AI9, however, if I use VM on my laptop I can get an error about the file being unreadable (or something like that). Go figure.