pianomom

I have had my Copam 2500 for over 4 years now (and love it!!). I am changing computers for the second time....last time being over 3 years ago. I have downloaded my Signcut x2 to the new computer, I have tried finding the right drivers needed.....without success. I have found a few different links and discussions on here and ended up finding the drivers for download on the USC Support webpage. I have downloaded those (for the XP/vista/7 version) and tried to follow the instructions but my computer is not finding the drivers. I have not be able to find the "port" or "com" areas in my "system" area on the computer (computer companies love to change how things read with each new computer)to try and update those. I have found the "USB to Serial Controller" but there is nothing in that area that is working. I have tried manually finding the drivers but that too is not working. I can see when I try to cut in Signcut that it seems to be sending the info....but it isn't getting anywhere. Signcut is registering "Com3" but on my previous computer I had to use "Com4" and I can't figure out on the computer how to change that once the drivers work to see if that is part of the problem too. I hope this makes sense.... looking forward to your help!! Denise

I need some advice...I am designing some very basic text and a small graphic to be cut through Signcut on my Copam 2500. The cutter will start cutting and then half way through it slices diagnal through the project and just runs doing nothing. Sometimes it will keep attempting to cut and it slices diagnol all over the project. I have wasted so much vinyl, time and hair!!! Is it the fonts I am using? I really need some help. It almost seems as though the computer isn't relaying the information fast enough to the cutter for it to know what to do. I look forward to your input. I have read through many of the posts on the forum but there is so much information I'm not sure what to do or try. Thanks pianomom

Gothamsign When you say you bought the recommended serial cable...what is that? I have the one that came with the machine is there a better one that has been suggested? I just had the same silly thing happen again with the blade dragging through the vinyl right in the middle of a project. It is just simple text that I am trying to cut and this is really starting to get old!! I look forward to your reply. pianomom

I know that you have many responsibilities, but I am sure anxious for you to try and cut these items out and let me know if you are having problems or if it is here on my end. If there are any other ideas as to why the cutter likes to make random sharp cuts while cutting out (even simple fonts) I am anxious to know. I have many projects waiting to get done. Thanks!! Pianomom

I have a few drawings that I need vectorized if someone is able. I have supplied the picture in different ways to try and make it the easiest to vectorize and cut. If for some reason the images aren't working I can email them directly. Thanks so much for the help. Pianomom

Here are two different links. The first is the main web page for Provo Craft. You can search through it. The Cricut is the cutter and it is the tack mat accessory that I have used. The second one is directly to the info about the smallest sized tack mat. http://www.provocraft.com/ http://www.provocraft.com/products/detail.php?cl=cricut&scl=tools%20and%20accessories&cat=&item=29-0003 I still haven't seen the larger sizes for sale online but they are for sale in stores. I would think if there aren't any available where you live you could phone the stores in my area they would gladly mail them to you, or at least tell you where to get them. Good luck. And have tons of fun!! Pianomom

I am running it off of my lap top. Nothing else is connected but the Copam. And I am using the cord provided with the cutter. Thanks for the idea though, every suggestion is needed. Pianomom

Part of the reason I purchased this cutter was to do both vinyl and paper cutting. I don't know if many of you have seen the Cricut scrapbook cutter. Provo Craft makes it. The cutter wouldn't do what I wanted that is why I went with this cutter but...the tack board that they use for their cutter I have been able to use with the Copam 2500 machine. What is it you ask? A sturdy plastic, bendable board with tack on it to hold cardstock, scrapbook paper etc. while it is being cut. They just resently added two new sizes. The first one I got was only 6 inches by 12 inches. They now offer 12 x 12 and a 12 x 24 inch. (I have tried finding the larger sizes on-line, haven't seen them yet but many scrapbook stores, fabric stores, ebay, etc. carry the supplies. They are at stores where I live, western states area.) The sticky stuff does eventually wear off and you have to be careful not to touch it too much with your fingers or the oils from your hands wears it off too, but so far I have had nothing but FUN cutting papers with the Copam and the tack board. It holds well enough that I have cut out some pretty small and intricate lettering for various events. Good Luck. Let me know if you need more info pianomom

I wanted to let you know that I tried one of the vecotized snowmen( the ones that were vectorized in this forum for me) and tried cutting them directly from Signcut. One cut just fine (the 2nd version) but the 3rd version, that has more detail, started cutting and then did the same thing by dragging the blade through the project and then froze up. Thanks for looking at this for me. Pianomom

Here are a couple of the projects that seem to be causing me go to bald! The snowman project was where I had gone into Inkscape and had it trace the bitmap. (It is not the vectorized graphic that was done for me). Seeing that there were lots of nods I just figured there was too much info being sent to the cutter, but the other two projects are either just fonts or a font with a small graphic. The project would start to cut and then part way through just drags off to the side of the cutting area. I really appreciate your kindness in looking at these. I look forward to learning much. I am sure that the biggest problem here is...me! I also appreciated your info on the graphics that were vectorized for me. Now I am just trying to figure out how to take the graphic and then add the text around it that I am needing. If you know an easy way through Signcut to do that would you let me know. Or do I need to cut the graphic alone and then piece the text around it? Your great!! Looking forward to your wealth of knowledge Pianomom Wise men.eps popsiclesdragonfliessummerdays.eps Free Snowmen 6by6 .eps Wise men.eps popsiclesdragonfliessummerdays.eps Free Snowmen 6by6 .eps

Thank you so much!!! Now I have a question for you. Please pardon my novice knowledge but with these graphics I am not able to import them into Inkscape. It looks like they need to be .ai.svg. Is that true? and if so can I burden you again to re-save in that format. At some point I will be up-grading to a different program for designing but for now all I have access to is Inkscape. Do you know if I use Coreldraw are the basic .ai programs are usable? Again, I appreciate your help SOOOOO much. I'll keep plugging along (learning) on this end. Thanks Pianomom

Having not used either of these, or Corel draw at all, if I were to choose between Corel draw X3 versus Corel draw 12 what would be best? What is the different? The reason I'm considering this way is because it seems less expensive than some of the other programs out there and I have to take that into consideration. I can upgrade to something else later. If there is another good program roughly the same cost as Corel and is better please let me know. pianomom :glasses2:

I am looking for a basic daisy graphic, vectorized if possible, to use for a project that I am working on. If anyone has one or a site to look for one let me know. Thanks a ton pianomom :glasses2:

I read this part of a post and it has helped a lot. I just had a few more questions. My question is about the registration marks. I click on the plain diamond and then click the letters and then get nothing. Is there something more I need to be doing? The project the I am trying to do has only lettering so do I need not worry about this? If I am just doing basic text is it better designing in Inkscape and then exporting to Signcut or just designing in Signcut? This is all so new to me I feel a bit lost. I really appreciate your help in advance. Thanks pianomom

I think it has something to do with the tile settings also. I have finally been able to import from one program into Signcut but I only get a small snippet of the text because of this arbitrary blue box on the screen. If I could just click on the line and extent the size of it I would be able to see the whole text. I'm hoping that someone out there has discovered the key to unlocking this. Let us know. :glasses2:

I recently received my new Copam CP-2500 machine. So far I have not been able to get the computer and the cutter to converse with each other. I have read anything on here that I felt might help me, I have installed everything I think that I need to, I have set the computer port to COM5 and Signcut to COM5 (because COM3 and COM4 are "in use"), I have sent an email to uscutter but have not heard from them yet and I'm anxious to start running so I'm hoping someone out there might have some additional ideas that might help me. While I wait for uscutter to get back to me. Anxious to cut up a storm :glasses2: pianomom

billy, Your awesome to be fiddling with Inkscape for me. It really is an interesting program. :- But it is all I have at the moment. You have no idea how much I appreciate your help. But, if you don't have hair to pull out I hope there is some other none distructive decompressing you can do.

I am trying to do just a basic text with a simple shape in Inkscape. I design it. I have tried doing the trace bitmat and it doesn't do anything. Then I am saving in Signcut's import folder. It is not working at all. What am I missing?? Could someone walk me through the process of doing simple text and a shape in Inkscape. I might have to pull hair out soon. Not a pretty sight Thanks for your wisdom and knowledge!!! Pianomom :glasses2:

Hey Billy, I agree, I look better with long hair!! I couldn't pull off the Britney look. I'll try your suggestion also and see what I get. I'll let you know how it works :glasses2:

So no wisdom about trying to do a simple text in Inkscape?? The only wisdom of the day is about how awful Britney looks?? :- Tis true though, and no I wouldn't want to pull off that look. Nor could I!! How about anyone else?? Anyone done text?? Billy I just read your post in the other forum. I'll try your suggestion. It will take a while though. I'm in the middle of painting my child's bedroom. So instead of pulling my hair out, I'm splattering it with colors!! :glasses2:

Hey, Thanks for the response. I've been trying to design in Inkscape, and even though I am slowly starting to understand the program, it is really difficult. I know it is a free program but it still shouldn't be so difficult. I've designed things in other programs with great ease and I'm wanting a program to do that in here too. Sounds like I need to seriously check out Corel 12, and the guide book. Pianomom

I'm going to try that. I'll let you know how that goes. Now out of curiosity if I am trying to do text with it does it change what you are telling me to do? Or should that not matter? Pianomom Update: I did try a simple graphic with the trace and it worked. I don't understand all of the different trace options yetbut it did work. I was delighted. I'll explore the differences later. I didn't ever see a button to "update" but I have a preview button. The same? But on a much simpler note, I am sure, yet I still can not figure it out. I am trying to do some basic text with some simple stars in Inkscape. Then I am wanting, of course, to get it to Signcut, so that I can cut it out. What secret do I need to know to design this in Inkscape and then get it to Signcut. Tracing it does nothing. What am I missing??

Billy, I was wondering if I could get more info or a clarification? you stated earlier in this discussion how to get projects from inkscape to signcut. When I click on "object" I don't find a "live trace" or trace button. Now "Path" has a "trace bitmap" is that what I am looking for? If so when I click on it I get a box with all sorts of different trace options. I have read the help tutorial for tracing and it explains a bit, but when I click on different options absolutely nothing happens to my simple design. I have tried it with the whole design highlighted and then design not highlighted. What in the world am I missing!! My eye might start to bug out because I'm sure it is simple and I'm being clueless so I plead for help. :dontknow: And I'm hoping that after I figure this out that I can actually get the project to Signcut. The next step is to get my computer and the cutter to speak to each other, but I guess that is the next hurdle to jump, soon. Looking forward to everybody's wisdom Pianomom

Welcome Daniel, I am fairly new to all of this also too. And gratefully there is much to be learned on this sight. And since you brought it up I would like to quiz you on the Corel Draw 12. Is it leap and bounds easier than the Inkscape program that came with the cutter? I have not had any success with Inkscape and I'm researching my options. I'd like to be like you and start getting some return on my investment. Do you feel that corel draw 12 does enough or would Corel Draw X3 be a good investment? Looking forward to hearing of your great wisdom. Pianomom

Windows based machine. It is an HP Pavilion.