Discuss the different methods of adding some bling to your designs. Rhinestone and rhinestud transfers, templates, equipment, software and supplies are inlcuded in this forum.
In response to last week's requests about whether or not the KNK Maxx will have limitations when cutting rhinestone templates, I created a grid of 3000 circles, sized at 2mm and sent them to the Maxx. I used a test pen because I really didn't need a rectangular template with 3000 holes! The purpose was to test the memory buffer inside the Maxx and I had no problems getting all 3000 to draw. See first image attached.
Then I resized them to 4mm and repeated. Again, no memory limitations at all. I didn't actually draw them, but I noted that the machine went through the complete motions for another 15+ minutes or so and then returned to the origin as though it had completed the process successfully. If anyone doubts this, I will try to find a sheet of paper large enough to draw them... the size of my rectangle became ~14" x 12" after resizing the pattern from 2mm to 4mm and I only have paper sized up to 12 x 12!
I then used the Metamorphosis feature to create a heart pattern (I like the way Metamorphsis can be used to create a particular fill pattern for a shape like this). I filled the pattern with 2 mm circles. I used the Eagle bladeholder and cut at a speed of 150. Again, we recommend cutting at slower speeds on a Maxx to get more accurate circles. I also used two passes just because I wanted to make sure I had cleanly cut holes.
Then I typed out the word "WINE" from a single line font, used Transform>Contour Object to make it into a multi-line image and arranged 4.1 mm circles onto the paths and cut it.
Please refer to the other images. Note that I did a screen shot of my heart on the screen just in case it appears that I have circles missing in my heart! I do not... that's my Metamorphosis pattern! This is similar to the actual one I did in 3mm about a month ago for one of my T-Shirts.... also shown.
If you have any other questions, please let me know! Or please tell me if I missed testing something in particular you wanted to see.
Again, the KNK Maxx will definitely work for cutting patterns from the black motif template rubber. I don't recommend it if you need to cut a lot of templates because of the speed issues; you will want the design of the Falcon or Eagle in which the blade is positioned closer to the pinch wheels and accurate templates can be cut at much higher speeds.
Wow those came out amazing Sandy It looks like the Maxx cuts fine and memory will have no problems.
So if I am correct, looking at the designs you have there, these were done with the tools that are available in the regular Maxx knk software correct? Or did you do these with any of the additional tools from the ACS software. As I recall i as able to do these similar things with the KNK.
It looks to me that for the person that is not going into the business of selling mass amounts of templates, the KNK machine and software would work just fine without having to buy the more expensive option. since the seperate blade holder can be purchased seperate, this would be exactly what you used for your test right? Thanks so much for doing the test, it really confirmed for me that this machine and software was capable of what I expected, the circles look perfect
__________________
Always do right; this will gratify some people and astonish the rest. ~~~Mark Twain BobbieLee www.brightlittlebeginnings.com
Wow those came out amazing Sandy It looks like the Maxx cuts fine and memory will have no problems.
So if I am correct, looking at the designs you have there, these were done with the tools that are available in the regular Maxx knk software correct? Or did you do these with any of the additional tools from the ACS software. As I recall i as able to do these similar things with the KNK.
It looks to me that for the person that is not going into the business of selling mass amounts of templates, the KNK machine and software would work just fine without having to buy the more expensive option. since the separate blade holder can be purchased seperate, this would be exactly what you used for your test right? Thanks so much for doing the test, it really confirmed for me that this machine and software was capable of what I expected, the circles look perfect
No, I didn't use ACS Studio for this. Yes, the customer can buy the blade holder separately. However, I will again emphasize the four main reasons they might want to get the ACS Studio package over the KNK Studio package:
ACS Studio is dongled so you can install on multiple computers. KNK Studio only allows two activations at any one time.
ACS Studio has this cool fill function with different patterns to use in filling rhinestones. In KNK Studio, you need to use a combination of other methods to simulate the feature.
ACS Studio comes with an additional 10 rhinestone fonts.
Finally, and possibly most important of all, future software enhancements are planned for ACS Studio that won't be added to KNK Studio. So, I caution everyone to really think about that one. I wouldn't want any customers regretting their choice after they see what new tools show up.
No, I didn't use ACS Studio for this. Yes, the customer can buy the blade holder separately. However, I will again emphasize the four main reasons they might want to get the ACS Studio package over the KNK Studio package:
ACS Studio is dongled so you can install on multiple computers. KNK Studio only allows two activations at any one time.
ACS Studio has this cool fill function with different patterns to use in filling rhinestones. In KNK Studio, you need to use a combination of other methods to simulate the feature.
ACS Studio comes with an additional 10 rhinestone fonts.
Finally, and possibly most important of all, future software enhancements are planned for ACS Studio that won't be added to KNK Studio. So, I caution everyone to really think about that one. I wouldn't want any customers regretting their choice after they see what new tools show up.
Those are all very valid points Sandy and something to take into consideration when deciding. Thanks again for taking the time to do this.
Do you know how often there are upgrades available for the ACS software? I know with the other software's I have such as smart designer, there are usually upgrades every year or so.
__________________
Always do right; this will gratify some people and astonish the rest. ~~~Mark Twain BobbieLee www.brightlittlebeginnings.com
Would you safely be able to say that the KNK maxx is a more industrial kind of cutter??? as opposed to a "production" cutter like the eagle???
I would think that the KNK MAXX is industrial .....since my Graphtec is listed as industrial and it has lower everything!!!LOL!!!
I can only afford the KNK maxx IF I sell my Graphtec cutter.(ce5000-60) I will not be cutting "rhinestone templates" to re-sell.(production) I would only be cutting the templates for myself and then selling the shirts created from those templates.
I do know that the Graphtec could handle this .....but I really want the software that the knk comes with.
So........
Should I keep my Graphtec and do the template thing "the hard/long way w/ corel" while waiting for the knk/acs software to be "Graphtec ready"??? OR Sell my Graphtec and get the KNK MAXX??? (which is only 11 miles away from me) …tempting!!!
Ooooh....what to do what to do???
__________________ For Thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. Psalm 116:8
Those are all very valid points Sandy and something to take into consideration when deciding. Thanks again for taking the time to do this.
Do you know how often there are upgrades available for the ACS software? I know with the other software's I have such as smart designer, there are usually upgrades every year or so.
Well, ACS Studio has only been out since earlier this year. But KNK Studio has been out almost 3 years and we've had 2 upgrades to it in those 3 years... so, roughly every year or so.
Would you safely be able to say that the KNK maxx is a more industrial kind of cutter??? as opposed to a "production" cutter like the eagle???
I don't personally choose to label ANY of these cutters. I just help customers figure out if they will do the job... whether it be cutting out cardstock greeting cards, Teflon O-Rings, fabric shapes for quilting, vinyl wall words, styrene model pieces, acrylic scalloped tags, etc etc etc. When I get contacted, I find what material the person wants to cut, what shapes and sizes, and how many per day... then I figure out if our cutters are the best answer.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ashamutt
I would think that the KNK MAXX is industrial .....since my Graphtec is listed as industrial and it has lower everything!!!LOL!!!
I can only afford the KNK maxx IF I sell my Graphtec cutter.(ce5000-60) I will not be cutting "rhinestone templates" to re-sell.(production) I would only be cutting the templates for myself and then selling the shirts created from those templates.
I do know that the Graphtec could handle this .....but I really want the software that the knk comes with.
So........
Should I keep my Graphtec and do the template thing "the hard/long way w/ corel" while waiting for the knk/acs software to be "Graphtec ready"??? OR Sell my Graphtec and get the KNK MAXX??? (which is only 11 miles away from me) …tempting!!!
Ooooh....what to do what to do???
You should DEFINITELY call Gary next week and talk to him about this, especially since he sold you the Graphtec cutter. I trust his judgment on this since he knows you and what your needs are. I eagerly look forward to helping you master ACS or KNK Studio when you DO begin to use it!
You should DEFINITELY call Gary next week and talk to him about this, especially since he sold you the Graphtec cutter. I trust his judgment on this since he knows you and what your needs are. I eagerly look forward to helping you master ACS or KNK Studio when you DO begin to use it!
Thanks sandyM ....Yes....maybe he will know best........and 11 miles is not far to travel
Maybe I should try out the knk studio to familiarize myself with it...... the "trial download" is on your page/site right? (I think that bobbieLee posted a link to it......but I am reading so many threads right now that I can't remember where it is!!!LOL!!! this one or the eagle/knk thread!!?? I will find it and let you know)
I do still want to learn/use Corel for RS template creating, BUT I do love the "easy button" on the RS software......you know .... where all one has to do is push it and voila template created!
Like Emeril says.....BAMM!!!!
__________________ For Thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. Psalm 116:8
Mrs. Bacon Here is the link to the download of the knk software Scrapbookdiecutter.com - Downloads, its the first pink link on the page Hope this helps
__________________
Always do right; this will gratify some people and astonish the rest. ~~~Mark Twain BobbieLee www.brightlittlebeginnings.com
First ....thank you BobbieLee for the link!!!!!! ......my mind gets fried reading all of these threads!!! LOL I am going there now to download.
And ....sandyM....I have to say.... I LOVE LOVE LOVE your blog!!!!!!!!!!!!! please keep it up
!!!!!
Thank you for educating us all!!!
I am SO honored that you like it so much. I truly do have a lot of fun coming up with the various topics and videos. Blogs are a great way to communicate to the users AND keep a record of everything you've ever covered.
Cynthia, do you know where the video tutorials are? Those are really great as you can do them step by step pausing the videos in between. If you go on this page Free Video Tutorials | Digital Die Cutting With Sandy McCauley, and click on complete list of video tutorials, the rhinestone ones are about half way down the list. I did them all haha, and they were super easy
__________________
Always do right; this will gratify some people and astonish the rest. ~~~Mark Twain BobbieLee www.brightlittlebeginnings.com
SandyM, is there anyway you can do a video of setting one up on the software of rhinestones, and then video the machine cutting the template? I am not sure if you have a video camera for the filming the machine itself but that would be awesome haha. I can only hope hehe. You know so that people can get an idea of the whole process.
__________________
Always do right; this will gratify some people and astonish the rest. ~~~Mark Twain BobbieLee www.brightlittlebeginnings.com
SandyM, is there anyway you can do a video of setting one up on the software of rhinestones, and then video the machine cutting the template? I am not sure if you have a video camera for the filming the machine itself but that would be awesome haha. I can only hope hehe. You know so that people can get an idea of the whole process.
It's on my To Do list! But note that I have a VERY long list!
I'm still trying to get videos made for the KNK retreat I did in St. Louis in June! Those are top of the list for now because I promised my attendees they would get videos of everything we covered in our classes.
Results of the KNK Maxx testing 
The purpose was to test the memory buffer inside the Maxx and I had no problems getting all 3000 to draw. See first image attached.
This is similar to the actual one I did in 3mm about a month ago for one of my T-Shirts.... also shown.
…tempting!!!
