slice&dice

I am not sure what your issue really is here. At first, you wanted to use VinylMaster, and found out that program isn't handling the cutter you own. OK, so we suggested to contact them and see if they had an answer about adding that Romeo unit to their supported list and including the right drivers in the software. They said it wasn't on their agenda, and VM wasn't going to provide drivers for that cutter. In the meantime, you discovered that ECS had the driver you require. In my opinion, problem solved. I only mentioned the $100 in the context of business operations, generally. If I needed something to work, and the only way it would work is if I paid a subscription fee (and a very minor one, at that) then my business plan would include that into the overall costs of my operations, and be factored into my client pricing calculations. Like my internet service. And my cellphone service, and my rent, and my advertising budget, and my garbage disposal fees, insurance, etc. etc.

If you have a business operation that depends on a specific functionality of Leonardo DesignStudio, and that functionality is $8 monthly, how is it possible for your business operations to be unable to afford that $100 annually? Tim Horton's coffee every day costs more than that. USCUTTER is not FutureCorp. It's up to FutureCorporation's executives to decide on how to configure/program their software, based on a variety of market factors. Again, the reply you got was that FutureCorporation is not providing you with a Siser driver, and if you are curious as to why that is the case (collusion/deal with USC/technical difficulty?) then ask them directly, and see how they answer. We cannot speak for anyone.

Ahhhhhh, Windows, gotta love it. Anyway, did you experiment with the serial connection? Just wondering... You asked a specific question that wasn't addressed, regarding ditching FlexiStarter software in favor of something else. Honestly, if you're comfortable with using it (after years of working in that environment), then to switch would be a new learning curve. At one point I installed VinylMaster, and it's a good program, but I preferred the 'cartoonish' interface of SignBlazer despite that Abandoneware program no longer being supported or upgraded. You are welcome to try SignBlazer (redSail is the model to choose in cutter setup for your MH). Be fun to see your reaction to it!

Hi there, I clicked onto the link for your website, it contains a lot of different designs, very 'European' and eclectic styles, selling for about $30 a shirt. We can see you put in a lot of effort and time on designing all these. Best of luck, and here's just one idea, what about putting the imprint on the BACK of shirts? Do you guys over there wear T's with the image on the flipside?

Hi again Jill, thanks for checking back with that reply from FC support. I think you misunderstood the answer that FurtureCorp. gave you. What they seem to be saying is that the Siser cutter is not featured within their regular VinylMaster program(s) and is "proprietary" for the LDS software to pair with it. In other words, they don't have a Siser machine driver built into any of their Vinyl-Master branded products, and only the Leonardo Studio can provide that. That being said, you have found a work-around program with ECS, which fortunately has a driver for your unit. (FutureCorp. was telling you that THEIR apps aren't compatible, but as you've discovered, there is some other developer which placed the Siser cutters into EasyCut's program coding.) Just out of curiosity, what attracted you to the SISER unit? Was there some feature or configuration you liked, versus a regular USCUTTER Chinese knock-off of Roland-type cutters? (SC2, or LP3, Prism-Cut or Titan models?)

OK, Jill, let us know what you discover. It's not going to address any widespread user problem here, but still, it's always nice to see things resolved.

If you ordered a Serial cable, it needs to be a "NullModem" type. (This is a technical definition of the wiring setup in the cable). As for your question, it might be useful to go into the Device Manager portion of Windows, and do some tweaking of the Ports, altering the COM #'s manually and rebooting the computer. In my opinion, you're experiencing a Windows issue regarding Port assignments, and not something related to cables or software. P.S. -- Cutters are not printers and do not install as printers.

Jill, be aware that FutureCorp. offers several different versions of their software. They have one version for machines like Vevor, they call it SignMaster. Then, there's the USCUTTER software, which is sold and distributed by USCUTTER to handle the machines provided by USC. And also, a 'retail' configuration, that is available directly from FutureCorp. --- have you talked to FutureCorp? They are the only ones who can respond to your queries about this.

The important part of a stand is rollers (vinyl feed) and a media basket. You can utilize this item for the vinyl rolls on a desktop -----> https://uscutter.com/APPRoller-Tape-Application-Roller

Hobby Lobby is a good local source, they carry Gildan.

Using Graphtec software only, Command is COMMAND>GP-GL Any other brands of software like Flexi VINYL MASTER, ETC is COMMAND>HP-GL.

No problem, nutty. Are you familiar with the process of node-editing? It's worthwhile getting familiar with that, overall not too complicated, and a good skill to have.

Nice try haumana, when you said it's a rough vectorize conversion, you weren't kidding. This one is probably best to do as a full re-creation. Starting with a font that approximates the style of that U. (Machine was close enough) U.EPS (Two colors)

OIC. I haven't heard about pinch-rollers going bad/wearing out, but I guess with enough spinning around (under pressure) onto the grit rollers they can do that eventually. Did you replace the entire assembly or just the rubber wheels? Just curious, how you did that. Maybe it'll help someone to see what was involved? (tutorial/demonstration)

What's that little 'apples' icon/button there at the bottom (next to colors)?

When I owned the MH unit, I never took it down below top-speed 800. Now that I'm using the SC2, it's always set for 800, slicing & dicing like a champ. If you do install the SBE program, the cutter model is RedSail, OK?

Red cap 45* Yellow cap 30* Blue cap 60* Here's a good deal for a blade. Only $49.95 https://plotterdepot.com/product/vinyl-45-cutter-blade

Nice of you to get back here to report on the solution. Always appreciated to see mysteries solved. Great news that the motherboard itself was fine, and only this damaged ribbon cable connected to it was at fault. Astonishing how even the smallest 'dinger' can bring a very expensive and powerful machine to a halt.

SBE will only function using COM ports 1-4. SBE is notoriously buggy with Copy-Pasting graphics (my copy will crash if trying to copy-paste directly from an image grabbed on the internet), much better to Export your work, and then Import to SB. (.eps legacy version, since SBE works only up to A-I v8) Your machine is not a printer, it's a cutter/plotter.

I'm on my way out the door, but wanted to quickly mention a way to verify a 'software glitch' -- choose another software to run the job. SignBlazer comes to mind.

The quick answer is "no" --- cutters do not function with tablets (nor smartphones). The main reason for this is the lack of 'legacy' communications (COM) ports. Your DH will just have to stick to the laptop with that MH. As for the design part of your question, the standard format for vector graphics is 'eps' (Encapsulated PostScript) which is based on paths of lines & nodes. To put it into less technical jargon, you'll need to obtain a program like Affinity Designer for iPad that allows the creation of 'eps' files, that you can export and then import onto the laptop with VinylMaster, which will then do the cutting part. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpXOD0z3FSo Nobody here has ever done that, so your DH would have to be the trailblazer on this process and report back to us on how things went.

What's the deal here?

There is a special wrap vinyl for vehicles. See: Fellers.

No idea, can't see what you are talking about. Is the 'printed design' on vinyl perforated material? Heat gun is my best guess.

I can cut down to 1/8" letters with the SC2, so I imagine the LP3 can do that as well. Generally, I don't go that tiny, since miniaturization of text is not useful for signage. My SC2 stand is constructed with rollers placed in front. I'm not arguing that the LP3 is of equal quality to Graphtec (or Roland, or Mimaki, or GCC) My intention is to point out that users of the 'value cutters' can still achieve the results they seek for a substantially reduced price. James is seeking a new Graphtec (he has a Graphtec already). He may or may not require it for what he's doing, his mileage may vary. My design and cut software is SignBlazer, free. Even VinylMaster software is powerful enough for most people. Now, as we head into 2024, I really need to get working on improving my standing with Santa.