slice&dice

I am not an owner of Copam machine, but you might want to check out the STOP (home switch) button, sometimes they fail. USCutter sells replacement buttons for other cutters, maybe they can help with obtaining the one suitable for your particular one. http://www.uscutter.com/Replacement-Home-Switch-for-US-Cutter-MH-Series-Cutters-RFPHOMESWTCH

The mere fact that this thread drifted into MXRacer asking what's going on there, proves that it certainly is misleading. That word "terribly" is a qualifier which you inserted to reduce the impact, but unless the casual viewer understands the entire weeding process and how these machines operate, then the photo misleads one to believe you can press a button and get that design to roll out all finished. Is it showing something that doesn't exist in reality? Absolutely. That's why I answered MXRacer to clarify, because he was mislead.

You are absolutely correct, mxracer ---- what you see there is a regular vinyl cutter, exactly the same functionality as the MH. However, in the picture, someone decided to get clever and did the weeding of this vinyl, and then replaced it into the cutter, to make it seem to be coming out that way. That photo is actually misleading advertising.

Slightly unrelated to the original question ---- I would love to see the SignBlazer application (when it's re-released, as rumored) incorporate a windows-navigation-style Save/Open dialogue, with capabilities to shuffle files around within the computer storage hierarchy. Right now, I have to leave SB and use the Windows Navigator system (Operating system) in order to re-arrange or move SB files into sub-folders. For example, when I finish a job, I need to take it from a "Working" (in-progress) folder that I have created within my SBD FIles root folder, and kick it into the "Jobs Finished" folder (another one that I've created). In fact, within my Jobs Finished folder, I have additional sub-folders for each month, all of those nested within folders by year) As you can see, just leaving EVERYTHING loose within SBD Files is not sufficient, and having some sort of internal organization keeps me on track. So, that said, I look forward to the day when SignBlazer provides drag&drop feature in the Open/Save box.

cowboy, not to beat a dead horse (pun intended) but take a look at another thread in which this very subject was discussed over the past few days -- The bottom line is this: You're going to get nearly 40,000 items, and among them will be useless things, and weird things, and excellent things, and practical things, and Frogs. As I noted, the auction ended with my bid of around $50. being the highest. WIthin two days of getting the entire set, I had this job which easily utilized one of the horse graphics. Will you ever have a need for a Dragon? A Fairy? A Shark? A Skull? A Butterfly? Only you can answer that, based on your customers' needs. Having these graphics certainly will provide an added dimension to your designs, and that's always a good thing.

I don't want to appear as if I'm advertising for a particular product or company, and I apologize if that's the way it came out here. My excitement at being able to obtain such a wide-ranging selection just spilled-over into these Forums, as I wanted to let others know of them too, figuring many people would appreciate owning a fantastic clipart set for themselves. For the record, USCUTTER supplies a terrific assortment of clipart as well, and certainly all users of vinyl cutters will benefit from having sets of cut-ready vector graphics, because after all, we love adding SNAP CRACKLE AND POP to our work. http://www.uscutter.com/Vector-Clipart-58

Okey-Dokey, a two-fer. ( I didn't mean to hijack the thread, but those two responses above were invaluable. Thanks. ) -- That idea of re-creating the catalogues/thumbnails is excellent, and I'm going to run the jpegs through Irfanview to build good reference images. -- At some point, I'm going to just have to learn how to 'clean up' vector graphics within Inkscape. It's one of those "To-Do" things on my list, which means I'll have to actually sit down, watch some tutorials, play around a bit, and get the hang of node editing. I keep putting it off, thinking I'll get around to dealing with node editing eventually, but now that I know these clipart files are somewhat "wonky" it's the perfect excuse to make the effort to figure out how to accomplish that essential graphics task. Simply amazing that I managed to get this far without knowing it. I now return everyone back to the regularly-scheduled thread topic ---- lettering race cars & go carts.

As I mentioned previously, eBay Search -- HUGE MEGA VECTOR CLIPART FOR SIGN VINYL PLOTTER CUTTER I cannot emphasize enough the importance of that collection in your pursuit of decorating vehicles with stripes, and other customization elements. Just import those .eps vector files into your cutting software (SignBlazer will be fine for this) and adjust size to fit. The MH runs seamlessly with SignBlazer (The correct driver is named REDSAIL RS1120C, or MH Refine, depending on which version of SignBlazer you install) For sponsor logos, you might want to bookmark BrandsOfTheWorld.com (free sign-up for downloading)

Yee-Hah! A Texan!!! Howdy pardner. When you do those initials, it will be really nice to layer vinyl and create outlines.

I swear by the 34" cutter -- I'm always finding myself using wider materials for various jobs, and 24" just is too limiting. The USCUTTER 24" SC machine is sold NEW for $279 and an extra $90 gets you the 34" (same thing with the $179 MH 24", you'll pay $90 for the upgrade in size to 34") Just be aware that the MH is considerably louder in operation than the SC, but if that doesn't matter to you, then go ahead and save $100. and be happy with the MH (I was using it as my primary workhorse in a retail environment for several months, and then I got the SC as a backup and prefer its quieter mechanism) Either way, you'll have a blast doing decals on those cars. Well worth looking into owning the MEGAVAULT Dvd set that goes for around $50 on eBay. (10 dvd's with an incredible assortment of cuttable graphics --- the set includes racing stripes, flames, Kanji, scorpions, fantasy, nude girls, and much much more, you'll go nuts)

You're gonna "stick" to vinyl !!!!! Hehehehehe. Funny.

AAndrews, I agree, the use of gold for the phone #'s would have set them off. Honestly, I am not a graphics guy, and when I whip together signs I try for the most simple way to cut and then drop onto the substrate. Putting all the text on the bottom part of this sign together as one 'block' was the easiest route. (The LAZY MAN'S method, to be sure). For the record, this finished sign slides into a standard h-Frame (I buy them for $15 from my local distributor) | | | | krikster, as my signature indicates, I am using a USCutter "SC" machine (34" wide). All my design work is accomplished with SignBlazer Elements. Onwards and upwards.......

I brought in a 4x8 sheet of the new satin-finish MaxMetal (Black/White) and have been waiting for a customer to walk in and order a job that can utilize it. Today I had such a client, and she wanted work-site signs (2'x3') so I sliced up the maxmetal and created her signs, with one side black, the other white. The satin surface lets the vinyl just flow onto it, no bubbles, no need for wet application. Gold vinyl on this just is outstanding, really classy. The only minor complaint I have is the black material tends to get fingerprints on it that show up, but those are easily removed with a spray of multi-purpose cleaner once everything is all done.

Where does the sign shop you now are employed at obtain THEIR materials?

"Unexpected errors" are usually the result of internal conflicts within the operating system of a computer, in relation to an application, and can be caused by many things. What exactly were you doing when the program crashed? What task? As for vectorizing (we Americans like the Z) -- think of it this way: The outline of any pixel file graphic will contain tiny little irregular blocks, because that's the way it is. (you can easily see them, for instance, in the nose of your bull) When you try to convert, those squigglies will be translated and re-created in the final result. The only way to eliminate them is to get down-and-dirty with NODE EDITING. Not for the faint-hearted.

A few quick suggestions ---- 1. Retain the box(es), they come in handy to place under the cutter as catch-baskets for your vinyl to keep it from rolling out onto the floor. 2. Magnetic screwdriver is vital for stand assembly. If you haven't yet watched an SC cutter-stand instructional video, worthwhile to do so. 3. Ground the cutter to the stand. (Grounding post is on the bottom of cutter, marked as such, and you need to provide a wire to attach to the stand) 4. Are you going to be using SignBlazer? If so, this SC cutter is listed as LiYu.

Y-W. Don't forget there is a bit of curvature, and to compensate, you can very slightly arc the text counterclockwise (text below the radius) -- maybe 800-or-1000 radius (in SignBlazer, that seems to be just enough, more or less)

yeah, well, I never got the memo.

Welcome aboard!!!

I noticed that the link (kindly provided in that other thread by the good Dr.12V) will offer the REAR WINDOW measurements, while the request here was for a Front windshield (across the top). I happen to own a 2000 Astro, which is the same as the '97. The front windshield dimensions are as follows: Across: 55" (edge to edge) Area along top, 4" or 5" (will not extend below rearview mirror position)

Silly me, I never thought of just placing the grommet halves into each part of the die (top and bottom) and pushing the handle, letting the pressure action create the hole. Lo and behold, it works! Thanks for the tip.

Did you pre-punch holes through the material first, or does your press do that for you along with the grommet insertion? I have to punch holes, and then put the grommets in.

FlaBoy, take this in the spirit intended : Look at it this way -- You are being paid a salary to assist in making signs and decals which is the primary income-producer for your employer. He opened his business in order to earn money to keep his shop viable, and to pay your salary. When you are offered a job on the outside, as part of YOUR business (a 'business' that is essentially a pirate, under-the-table operation out of your basement or garage) then you are doing work that is competing with your employer, who COULD be performing that work in his shop. The mere fact that you are avoiding discussing this in an open manner with him ("still im laying low for a bit lol") shows that you are somewhat reluctant to be told "NO, that's unacceptable..." This is an ETHICS issue. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/ethics

Welcome & Howdy. Your little bull can be imported right into SB, and vectorized within the program. Do the following procedure: 1. FILE menu -- IMPORT 2. SELECT the item -- IMAGE menu -- Mode - MONOCHROME (50% is default, usually OK to leave that) 3. IMAGE menu again, now VECTORISE (British spelling of Vectorize) -- make sure it's using Setup #2 4. Move away the B/W image (Original) and Delete it, leaving the Blue vector graphic behind. 5. Resize to required dimensions. 6. Cut. As for the LandRover decal, same process, but you will be placing your own oval around the outside of it, and cutting that in WHITE (or whatever color approximates the original decal) and then cutting the green inside and layering it over. Good luck, and enjoy your new endeavor, By the way, there is a ton of cut-ready clipart out there, which you don't have to convert.

I have posted over 300 times in this forum, with hands-on advice, critical remarks that are relevant, business suggestions, instructional help, and friendly rejoinders. This request is certainly miscategorized, and it is not "negative" nor rude to point that out. As for flayboy's taking on jobs on the side, and working in a sign shop at the same time, that is something he has to reconcile with his employer, who may or may not appreciate or agree with it. I absolutely have no intention whatsoever of "encouraging" him to continue doing what he's doing. If it was an employee of mine, I guarantee he would be shown the door, instantly. You go about your business, I'll go about mine, but ETHICS are part of what we should be standing for here.