MadStickerLab 0 Posted September 21, 2010 Hi! I just recently purchased a new MH-871 Vinyl Cutting machine and am ready to begin learning. My goal is to learn to design vinyl window stickers using one or two colors. I have a background in web design. I purchased a copy of Corel Draw X5 and am using SignBlazor to send my designs to the printer. With all of that said......I am going nuts trying to learn this For the past week I have read the forums (both this one and the T-Shirt forum) and have learned just enough to be really confused. I am horribly analytical and am looking for a step by step instruction on how to edit vector graphics (also interested in converting bitmap to vector). I know there are many steps and I just seem to be missing something. I have searched everywhere for a book on the subject but have not found anything (including books on Corel X5 that pertain to decal/sticker creation). Would anyone be willing to create a step by step on how to create a vector graphic? I don't necessarily mean the actual act of creating the curves and straight lines and such. But the steps it takes after you create your art to get it print ready. Thanks so much for reading this. I know a lot of people ask for this kind of help and you advanced folks must get tired of answering. But I promise, once I learn the ropes, to help out on this forum with what I have learned Hey, I might even write that book! Don Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SandyM114 0 Posted September 21, 2010 I can't help you with the Corel but I have to say when you buy it, you get no manual at all. I'm in the same boat as you. About all I've been able to use it for so far is to open some files that signblazer can't open.Sandy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
deth502 39 Posted September 21, 2010 im not familiar with corel, but you can dl inkscape for free and between that and sb, you should be able to make anything you want. they are all i use. afa how to run them (inkscape and signblazer) there are plenty of very good videos right here on how to go from a bitmap, or even just a concept, all the way through to the cut, and even application. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MZ SKEETER 4,709 Posted September 21, 2010 have you watched any of the tutorials on youtube.com ? http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=corel+draw+x+5+tutorials&aq=f Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MadStickerLab 0 Posted September 21, 2010 Actually, Corel Draw X5 does come with a manual. Go into All Programs on your computer and look for COREL DRAW GRAPHICS SUITE X5. Open it and look for DOCUMENTATION. In this folder you will find a 319 page PDFbook that is pretty informative (on top of some other PDFs). You will also find a VIDEO TUTORIALS link next to the DOCUMENTATION folder that is pretty helpful. Books written for X5 actually hit book stores tomorrow Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mailman 1 Posted September 22, 2010 I am fairly new to, but I have had very good luck with the quick trace , go to bitmaps it will be in the drop down menu. Also go to CorelDrawtips.com. the guy who does these is very good, scroll thru his lessons, free and very easy.What I do is open corel and work side by side with his lesson, I think it works best that way, even an old guy like me can do it. Hope this helps, Mark Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MadStickerLab 0 Posted September 24, 2010 Thanks everyone! I finally got it all figured out. Made my first sticker last night! YAY! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sniderman 8 Posted September 24, 2010 YOU SHOULD POST YOUR WORK,, Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MZ SKEETER 4,709 Posted September 24, 2010 Thanks everyone! I finally got it all figured out. Made my first sticker last night! YAY! So what did you do to figure it out? This could help others. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MadStickerLab 0 Posted September 24, 2010 The biggest change I made was I went from using SignBlazer to Signcut. or me, using Corel X5 and Signcut answered all of my issues that I was having. I can export the same file in both programs, and while SignBlazer messes it up, Signcut prints it perfectly. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MZ SKEETER 4,709 Posted September 24, 2010 glad you got it figured out!!! ??? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
glassman67 0 Posted February 21, 2011 Theres a realy good video also called (Unleashed for Corel X5) dont know version you have but my X5 came with it and a hard back book with about 300 pages in it the author of the video lives out in Arizona and also does 2 or 3 day classes for around 600 dollars I have his number and all somewhere will find for you if want. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites