Hoss

I use it for cutting. It does a better job cutting for me than SignCut or SignBlazer. It seems more intelligent with where it starts and stops cuts so weeding is easier. For editing however, I use InkScape. I'm a few versions behind on SCALP, so maybe its editing has gotten better, but last I tried, I wasn't too happy with editing. I'm sure I'll try again in the next couple months, as I am still interested in one app for both editing and cutting.

I was really hoping to find a good designer (with tracing) and cutter app in one, and for the intro $50, I got SCALP. I was using SBE before. I'm not very happy with key parts of the design portion (particularly node editing). I also can not get it to cut correctly with my MH721-MK2. But, I have to say that the tracing tool is great! A couple days ago I decided to try Inkscape and so far love it. After watching one "intro" tutorial, I was on my way and doing all the things I was good at in SBE (but without the data loss and funky UI issues of SBE), and more. But Inkscapes tracing tool is not very good in my opinion. So right now, I use SCALP for tracing (export SVG), Inkscape for editing, and Sign Cut for cutting. Will try .037 tonight. I'm hoping that in the next few months, SCALP will mature to where I want. It was only $50 so its worth the wait and getting early input on it.

My understanding of the squiggly line meant that it was over a path.

AI files crash mine as well. v3.036 on my Windows 7 64bit. I tried both CS6 and v3 version of AI files.

I've been messing with this more today, and my initial comments where not accurate. Actually, it basically cuts correct or with errors randomly. It cuts correctly about 20% of the time. The rest of the 80%, it seems to print backwards, and often, one letter of a word is printed sideways. Sometimes it draws the image skewed. Sometimes it cuts lines right through middle of drawing. Sometimes it rotates the image. This is true just taking the same drawing cutting it over and over again without any changes. Just cut, click ok to the "finished" dialog, click "cut with cutter" button and cut again. If export the drawing as SVG, use illustrator to save as ai v3 file, and open it in SB, SB can cut it as many times as I want without a single issue. Below is a short trial cutting a logo multiple times (with all same settings and no design changes/edits between cuts). As you can see, it did different things each time. This is a design that I created from scratch in SCAL 3.036 Pro. I also tried with a new project and just dropped a couple letters in, got same random results.

I purchased Pro for $50 and downloaded it last night (v3.036). I like much of the UI, much more modern (than SB I was using) with much better path rendering. I really like the tracing feature compared to SB. I would like to echo most of speleopower's feedback. Particularly editing nodes (specifically I don't like not being able to edit the type of node, such as corner, etc) and lack of mouse wheel zoom. Although I haven't yet been able to get it to cut on my MH-721 MK2 cutter (separate thread).

I just bought SCAL Pro and so far like the software. However, when I cut, the image is mirrored. For example, text is backwards. I can select the entire design and then Object > Transform > Flip Horizontal, and then cut, and it cuts correctly. But then I have to undo the flip to go back to editing. Is there a setting somewhere to have it automatically cut it flipped?

Not sure if that is the correct terminally, but is there material I can cut in my cutter for making stickers that 'cling' to windows without adhesive (they can be easily removed, even reused)?

I'm new to vinyl cutting, but I've been using RTape Clear Choice AT60 and have had excellent results so far. This is assuming though that the vinyl is sticking to the target surface well. Most my applications have been on glass and smooth painted surfaces were the vinyl sticks very well. I haven't had problems on real small details or anything. I really like the clear for when doing multiple colors (overlays) http://www.uscutter.com/RTape-Clear-Choice-AT60-General-Purpose-Clear-High-tack-Application-Tape-100yd-RTTAT60

So far I am very happy with my purchase, both in the cutter and in the service I've gotten from them (minus this one support personal). I also placed my first order for material and did will call at the redmond wa location and both people I interacted with there during the pick up were very friendly and quick. In fact, on many other generic vinyl/cutting forums, many of the links/info I found in them point to USCutter's site and its forum. So I feel very comfortable in my purchase, getting help, good supplies, etc.

I'm new to USCutter and recently placed my first order. I slowly built up an order in my cart, adding and removing things as I was investigating different materials, sizes, etc. Sometimes this lead me to open another browser instance to google some info, search the forums, etc. Anyways, this meant some times I would be away from the browser with the order for a couple hours (I didn't close it, or reboot, etc), and the site would log me out, requiring me to re-sign in. When I did so, my basket would be empty. This happened with both Google Chrome and IE9. It would be nice to keep the shopping cart info at all times. I should be able to log out even and come back the next day and still have my cart.

Don't be a hater! You can cut your own fancy schmancy sticker for your "next one up" from cheap-o model.

The rollers on the stand are painted and the ends rest in plastic holders, isolating them from the stand. I have a feeling this is the (or one of the) issues with this cutter. I read about someone that left a bare copper wire connected to the top of the cutter, draped across the roll. I think I'll try that. I also read about the dryer sheets, will try that too, and pick up some anti static spray. I'm on a vinyl floor... https://www.dropbox.com/s/qx86z8m2qbpbxvn/2012-10-13%2012.57.58.jpg Thanks!

Well, shortly after posting this, I kept messing with it and got shocked when I touched one of the screws on the cutter. When I did, I heard a motor or something inside twitch or something. I remember when setting it up, the importance of putting on the grounding wire from the stand to the cutter. So I decided to search about static on the forum and found some similar cutting issues. So I tried a piece of paper and low and behold, every "cut" was perfect. So I cut off a piece of vinyl and did 3 cuts, all perfect (something another thread said to try). I checked continuity between the stand and the cutter and the grounding wire is connecting them correctly. But it seems the static from the vinyl is still causing an issue when I have a roll on the stands rollers. What else should I do to better ground the vinyl/stand/cutter/whatever?

I got a new MH 721-MK2 and set it up (Windows 7 64bit, USB) last weekend and put the pen adapter in it and was drawing images without issue (Signblazer Elements). I printed at least 20 times, all perfect. When I was done I put the cover on it and turned it off, unplugged the USB (needed it for my laser printer). So today I got my first vinyl so I took the cover off, plugged in the USB cable and turned it on. I loaded up the vinyl and installed the blade adapter (after setting its depth on scrap vinyl). However, almost every "print" I made today was skewed and the weed box was cut right through the image. So I put the pen back on and have been trying lots of combinations of plugging in USB, power up, rebooting PC, different images, different image sizes, and even SignCut Pro. Every once and awhile, it will do a correct cut,just once, randomly. The only thing I did (as far as the cutter/software go) since the first time and this time was installing SignCut Pro (but never tried it out until I started having the problems, just to see if it worked correctly). Don't know if that could have an effect on it. Any ideas? Thanks!