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I had to look up what Ubuntu 20 is. I don't know of anyone using it here. There is only just a couple handfuls of people that answer questions. Most all of us members who have been on here for years, use design and cutting softwares compatible for our vinyl cutters. And most use Windows operating system.. I don't know of anyone using INK CUT. If this cutter was bought from US cutter, then it is only for Windows,(says that on the ad.) and cutting software came with it , for windows. Some people do get it to run on a Mac sometimes, but with Bootcamp and similar for a Mac. Your cutter is not a printer and does not set up like a printer. Nor is it plug and play. . It is a vinyl cutter/plotter. You must download the FTDI driver, run and install it. Then windows will assign it a com port. 1-4, Then you go into your cutting software set up ,choose your vinyl cutter , and choose the same com port number. They must match. Pretty easy, Most value cutters all set up the same way. What is the reason for using Ubuntu 20 and Inkcut. ? These are the only threads over many years that UBUNTU is ever mentioned and that was many years ago, maybe something there can help. https://forum.uscutter.com/index.php?/search/&q=Ubuntu 20

Way to end the year being a jerk slice. He did exactly what we ask people to do. Come back with results so other people can learn from their experience. Just because Ubuntu is an out of mainstream option is no reason to berate him, it's pretty cool to see it be functional for technically savvy users. ditto - your experience is great help for the rare Ubuntu user that comes along. If you stick around or stop by from time to time you may be able to help others. I appreciate Ubuntu users (tried it myself for a while but am not computer literate enough to work through the issues.) I run on a mach system which in the cutter community is an oddity as well. most do use windows based programs. ArtCut is a nice (free) option and impressive that it is multi-platform compatible.

I'm about to order an SC2 and don't want to send it back. Has anyone have the Title above working? I read the above will theoretically work. A VM is not an option for me, neither is Windoze. He can't make virus proof OS so they put him in charge of planetary extinction.

I just got an MH365, hooked it up by USB to my laptop running Ubuntu. It was automatically recognized and added as a printer. I started inkcut version 2.1.5, the current version for Ubuntu 20, which found the device, but didn't automatically select a driver. I selected US Cutter Refine MH-721, the one that seemed closest to MH-365. If I plot an image using inkcut or by sending the HPGL file directly to the printer device, the plotter draws (I have pen and paper in it for now) a somewhat recognizable path but I consistently get the same kind of corruption. See the image below, where I plotted the file twice. The HPGL file looks fine in an HPGL viewer. The HPGL file is also attached here. The errors seem to be of two kinds: a vertical segment followed by a horizontal segment get combined into one diagonal segment - see the left edge of the letter H, for example an x co-ordinate is drastically incorrect, usually at or near the x origin - see the triangular detours in the circle, for example What is going wrong? Thanks in advance, Mike P.S. Since it's a new machine I'm really trying to determine if it's a problem with the software/file or with the machine itself. I don't have a windows machine handy to try other plotting software or another plotter to test the HPGL on. If someone could run this HPGL file on their plotter, or send me a small HPGL file that is known to work on an MH365, that would be a big help. circle.inkcut.hpgl

It is to do with the two things: 1. Data transfer type (USB Cable/ Serial Adapter): The serial adapter is much reliable and too less prone to errors and data losses during transmissions. I learnt it the hard way after ruining 40 dollars worth of vinyl about 5 years ago and haven't used USB port since then. My advice is either get a laptop or a desktop with just enough programs and keep it permanently hooked to the plotter using serial cable and not USB cable 2. Security features of the Ubuntu itself: Almost all the cutters are built up to work well on the windows operating system. Ubuntu/Linux being equipped with many more security features finds most of the cutters struggling to go through

The USB interface on the MHs is nothing more than a generic USB to serial chip so depending on the driver Ubuntu is using, that could be the source of the problem.

I got an MH-365 to work with a direct USB connection to Linux and inkcut. On Ubuntu 20 it's plug and play at least in that the device is automatically added as a printer and you can send HPGL files to it using `lp`. But the plotter seems to lose some commands when a direct USB connection is used. I had to modify the HPGL output by inkcut a little bit to make it work. I have submitted a fix to the inkcut maintainer so that a future release may generate output that works. See https://github.com/inkcut/inkcut/issues/367. You can use the existing MH-721 "device driver" in inkcut with other MH models; the only difference is the width and you can set that manually (to 11 inches for MH-365) when you add the device.

I'm about to release Tux Plot v4.0 for linux (Ubuntu) and would like some help with testing please. Just some simple tests to confirm features like xy speed, blade pressure, page eject, move to home etc. The devices needed for testing: USCutter Graphtec Redsail Rabbit and other manufacturer... Any help would be appreciated! securetech@eastlink.ca Thanks Gary

There is Inkcut that is supposed to be compatible with Ubuntu. No idea if it works or how well. You sound savvy so it may work for you. Here is a link: https://sourceforge.net/projects/inkcut/ Worst case you may have to find an older windows XP to dedicate to the cutter and run the VM Cut that should come with the cutter. Many people do that for pretty cheap. I'm a Mac guy and even Macs have limited options (SignCut Pro for me) but Linux is stepping out onto the path less traveled. Good luck. Cutters are freakin' awesome.

Has anyone done it before? It doesnt see to know im pluging my cutter in? any onfo would be great!

Trying to get the USB-Serial driver working in Ubuntu Linux for the FDTI USB to Serial port on my newly purchased PCut CT630. Have downloaded the driver from the FDTI driver site 'http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm' and followed the instructions to build the driver, remove the standard module then tried to install the new module. The driver does not compile successfully. What do I do to make it compile successfully? Do I need to recompile the kernel with some missing module(s) ("sources matching the current kernel to be installed on your system" from README.dat)? Is that why there are so many make errors? I am noticing that the make command is not finding a bunch of files, a bad link? -------------------------- Errors during the make process: $ make cc1: error: /lib/modules/2.6.31-20-generic/build/include/linux/modversions.h: No such file or directory In file included from /lib/modules/2.6.31-20-generic/build/include/linux/kernel.h:11, from ftdi_sio.c:251: /lib/modules/2.6.31-20-generic/build/include/linux/linkage.h:5:25: error: asm/linkage.h: No such file or directory In file included from /lib/modules/2.6.31-20-generic/build/include/linux/kernel.h:15, from ftdi_sio.c:251: /lib/modules/2.6.31-20-generic/build/include/linux/bitops.h:17:24: error: asm/bitops.h: No such file or directory In file included from /lib/modules/2.6.31-20-generic/build/include/linux/kernel.h:15, from ftdi_sio.c:251: ... tdi_sio.c: In function

so i figured i could use vmware inside ubuntu to use signblazer....aparently i was wrong, when i go to setup the plotter, all the boxes are greyed out....the plotter was seen inside winxp in vmware and the drivers were installed perfectly...yet no plotter worky......i have the 24inch pcut i hate windows and this is the only way i will run it....linux > everything

It will work out of the box in Ubuntu, Mint (any .deb based system) I had a client have it going in debian but had to do a bit of manual package installs due to name changes. It will work in fedora as long as the corresponding package name in the install script for Ubuntu is installed manually, the install scripts are basically Ubuntu (deb) oriented package names vary widely.

Thats a good idea! You can burn Ubuntu (free) to a disc and boot into it from your CD Drive without having to install it. How to burn to a disc: http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop/burn-a-dvd-on-windows

I seen this post on another forum (Original Poster was named Tinaski on Vinyl Forum which is not as good as this site but anyway... ) so i had to share,I thought it was informative in every way...----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- QUOTE Below----- I have been on this site for a while now and it seems like the new people here ask the same questions over and over again so I thought this might try to help them out. I know there is a place for "instructional" but it seems like it gets missed allot so this is just a brief help to new comers. same questions different people "can you vector this" "I need a tree in eps" "I need a motorcycle ready to cut" "what the best cutter to get" So a little about me first. What I can help with and what I cant help too much with. We are a full time business that does vinyl t-shirts for sports family gathering or just about anything, car decals, store fronts but like most on here will do just about anything a customer wants. We started doing this about 2 years ago with a mh cutter then got a old hix heat press about a year later. We used windows, flexi, and Adobe Illustrator. Today we have 2 Graphtec ce-5000 and a maxx heat.Were looking to get some printing equipment and either engraver or a cnc router. We design in Inkscape and cut in Inkscape under Linux Ubuntu 9.4 and 10.4. We use 2 computers one is mainly for cutting and the other is mine research, designing and testing. Sometimes we use Adobe or Corel in Linux. We were the same as every other new person out there. How do you vector? How do you get designs how how how how to layer? So here is a few things that may help. This is all just my opinion and it will differ from user to user. Everything here I will let you know if its from experience or if it is just what I have heard. I will start off with hardware "What cutter to get it?" depends on a few things. First is $$$$$$ if you have unlimited funds available I would recommend Rolland or a Graphtec both are cadillacs of the vinyl world but since most don't have that option then what I would go with is...... Pcut I have heard allot of good things about them seems like there is allot of people happy with them. I would stay away from the MH. I know some people love it and would never go with a different brand. My experience with them is much less than satisfied. What I have found out when we had ours is a couple of years ago they changed there hardware ( control boards ) to something different from the original and that has caused allot of issues. if you can get an older one I don't think you would have near as much trouble as the newer ones. good thing to do is go to the http://forum.uscutter.com/index.php/board,60.0.html and compare how many posts are under each listing - I understand more people have the MH than any other one there but it has to say something. the other cutters I don't know much about so I am not going to comment on any of them FILE TYPES This isn't complete yet since we don't have a windows box but this may help out for some people I may mess up on some of this so please correct me please keep in mind that you cant just take a jpeg and save it as an eps or svg that doesn't make it a cuttable EPS = cuttable SVG = cuttable PS = cuttable PDF = most are cuttable however there may be a jpeg imbedded in the PDF file then its not a cuttable AI = cuttable CDR = cuttable SB = cuttable only in Sign Blazer there is no program other than SB that can open a *.SB file DWG = cuttable but I don't know anyone that uses that. its mainly for AutoCAD We have to use a PDF or PS to cut. We can open EPS AI CDR file in our programs and then save as a PS/PDF some things that may help out "why cant I open an EPS file from Inkscape in SB or Flexi or other cutting software" It may be the version of the EPS file is not compatible with the cutting software so save it as a older version of an EPS file -- if that doesn't do it try a different file types try PDF - SVG - PS if you still have problems Try this in Inkscape if its a one color design make the design 3xs the size that you have it designed if its a 10inchX10inch make it 30X30 then go to document properties and change to page size to fit the design. Then export as a bitmap then reopen the bitmap file in Inkscape and vector it - if you have a bitmap that was made from a vector file it will re-vector very easy and clean. since you made the image bigger you can down size it and you keep the clean lines - kinda like a picture take a picture re-size it smaller it stays clean and crisp you blow it up and it turns out very grainy. SOFTWARE There is a few different types of software out there that you can use what one is best for you. Again it kind of depends on what you want to do and how much money and time you want to spend learning. Designing software Adobe Illustrator - for new version price is around $300 --- windows and Mac it can open and save cuttables --- EPS, AI, PDF, DWG, PS, SVG(I believe) Corel Draw - for new version price is around $500 ---- windows and Mac it can open and save cuttables --- CDR, EPS, AI, PDF, DWG, PS, SVG(I believe) Inkscape - Free --- windows Mac and Linux it can open and save cuttables --- EPS, AI, PDF, DWG, PS, SVG Scribus - FREE - windows Mac and Linux it can open and save cuttables --- EPS, PDF, PS, SVG that I know of there could be others SK1 - Free Linux only. soon there will be one for Mac and someday there will be one for windows it can open and save cuttables --- CDR, EPS, AI, PDF, DWG, PS, SVG Cutting software This is easy there is only a few that most people rave about Flexi - Windows and Mac -- Not free - price depends on what version you get prob one of the best out there SignBlazer - Windows - Free trial but it never expires very good allot of people use it (I never have) seems like there is some setup issues at times cant help with any of that not too much help with any of the other software packages in windows Inkcut Linux free cut right from Inkscape Tux plot - LINUX - can cut from any program we use this and love it still has some limits but we're testing and trying to keep improving where to get graphics first ask what you need "motorcycle" search the forums - that is a great place to start if that doesn't help learn how to use search a engine Google yahoo what ever tips how to use a search engine ---- " motorcycle svg " this is my results http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=A0geusScD.JLnzUB9JRXNyoA?p=motorcycle+svg&fr2=sb-top&fr=yfp-t-701&sao=0 you can try eps but you will get allot of "episodes" you can also limit your search to just PDF file since PDFs are cuttable but there will be a little more weeding thru the results in yahoo go to MORE>ADVANCED SEARCH just select PDF files http://search.yahoo.com/search?n=30&ei=UTF-8&va_vt=any&vo_vt=any&ve_vt=any&vp_vt=any&vd=all&vst=0&vf=pdf&vm=p&fl=0&fr=yfp-t-701&p=motorcycle&vs= http://www.brandsoftheworld.com is also a great source spend a lot of time on YOUTUBE there is a lot of great videos there. There you can learn how to layer. you can learn how to vector you can learn how to set up almost any cutter you can learn how to apply the decals and my favorite (our video) you can learn how to set up a cutter and use it in linux using Tux Plot I know this did not get into great detail but hope it may help some new people biggest thing is learn learn learn and when you think you know what your doing learn some more

We have 2 computers and one has Ubuntu on it and the other has XP. If it wasn't for cutting software I would be all Ubuntu. Right now I design in Linux and cut in windows so I'm going to try to get cutting software to work in Linux. I have seen a couple of people make Inkscape work as a designer and a cutter but I still haven't found the script that needs editing but still looking. I have also seen that people have used VMware and run flexi or another program inside it. but since VMware is about $80 I'm going to try a few other open source programs. the new chip set I haven't looked too hard but what is the chipset that is in the newer cutters. from what I read sometime in 2008 they changed to a different one and if anyone knows that that would be very helpful. this is going to be a high priority for me. we think that some of the issues that were having is windows and we would be more stable if we went with Linux. if anyone is interested I can keep everyone posted. if anyone has any information feel free to add to this or email me and we all can benefit from it when I have done searches in forums for Linux and cutting there really isn't a great instructions on how to make it all work so I will be keeping a log and hope to have all the different ways to make it work when I am done. then I hope to make step by step instructions for everyone. thanks

The dock is nice but if you have a 5.25 bay open use one of these http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817122105 they are nice keeps the drive cool thus improving the life of the drive. I'm not really a big fan of externals unless used to back up files and then tuned off.But your always better off with a nice aftermarket comp case with proper cooling say a 120mm front fan drawing air over the drive bays or a product like i suggested with cooling fans because with data backup you need to be sure. Another route for a hard copy is a dual layer bluray disc burner with a 50 gb storage capacity per disc that i still want to deploy to backup really important files.There is a problem with this however with cost being about 45$ per 50 gb but it gives you a true hard copy.... Also a virus can jump to and from through usb and even jump partitions. We need a linux based program with a nice GUI for cutting we all could run. For all those who haven't used linux i would suggest fedora 9 or ubuntu distro. Get the live cd and play around with it it's really sweet.I have my hd on one comp tripple booted with fedora 10,windows xp and Ubuntu 8.04 (I believe) hardy heron. I tried booting SB thru wine but it didn't work.

There was someone on this board or the other that used Ubuntu. I think his username was "Tinsaki" or something close and he used TuxPlot to cut vinyl. It was on the other board. here's a link to the instructions: http://www.vinylforum.org/smf/linux/setting-up-a-vinyl-cutter-in-linux/msg2651/#msg2651

Howdy all, Been away from the forums for a while. about a thousand years ago I researched going full Linux in my shop and was mostly successful except for communicating with the cutter "refine 721". After a hardware issue on the Windows box feeding the cutter I decided to search again http://inkcut.sourceforge.net/ I set it up on Ubuntu 10.04 and was able to cut a path directly through the USB port, something I was never able to get working in Windows even with the nifty driver "not a slam on Windows ". Was so excited I needed to pop on and show my first cut :-)

Another thing you can go is go to ubuntu and download the Operating system - and burn it to a cd and from there you can insert the cd into your laptop - you have choices install or run it from the cd - choose run it from the cd and you can then get to your hard drive and transfer your files to another computer on your network- windows system will show up as a folder just open it and move everything - no problems Then from there you can reinstall windows and move everything back

here there is alot of diffrent one also on google search you may be able to vector them http://www.google.com/images?q=family%20tree&um=1&hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=com.ubuntu:en-US:official&ndsp=20&ie=UTF-8&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi i cant send the vector too large but you should be able to vector this easy

Yeah, slow is right - a much better option for trying it out is with a 'live' usb drive. I like UNetbootin for making live usb sticks (it does all the work for you). well ya USB is a lot faster than dvd - i have nver done it but i believe ubuntu has usb loader also it does take time for dvd to wind up and pull data off of it

www.ubuntu.com Free download easy to install and you can run it off the cd and not do an install just to try it out (that runs very slow)

One of the comments was it ws pretty much plug 'n play with ubuntu - Looks interesting - I'm still getting to know my Intuos tablet - and got too much computer stuff (wife's words last night still fresh in my little pea brain) -- so I must not order - I must not order - I must not order - there I think I killed the urge. Mike