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I am using a new graphtec and Coreldraw and am having trouble. I made a logo using a large number 3, red in color and then put a blue border around it. When I try to cut the design the border/outline doesn't cut properly. Any hints?
Well, the colors shouldn't matter if you're cutting out the outlines on vinyl cutter (I'm not sure what a graphtec is). You're going to have to make seperate projects - one for each color, then cut each out seperately.
Now, to cut the lines, make sure you select your object, let's say the "3", then remove the "fill color" by clicking on the "X" on the color palette.
At this time you won't see anything, but it's still there..
Next, click on the "outline tool" (pen looking thing) and click on hairline.
When you say that you put a blue border around the number 3 did you by any chance apply just thickness to the line? If you did your cutter/plotter will only see the original line and not it's thickness.
There are two ways around this. The preferred way is to use the "contour tool" but you could also go to [Arrange] > [Convert Outline to Object]. The problem with the second method is that if you go to "Wireframe" view you will see that you have your centre line as well as a line to the inside and the outside of your centre line. You would have to select the centre line and delete it otherwise your cutter/plotter will cut all three lines and you probably don't want that.
Yup, what dan said is what you need to do. The other problem with adding an outline to your object is that your original object and it's outline are going to overlap by just a little bit and it takes quite a bit of fiddling to get it the way you want it for applying.
But give those to methods a try and look at them in Wireframe View to see what the effects are of each, paying attention to which curves are which.
Is applying a border a common thing in making logos and signs? If using an outline is common is there a better way of going about it?
I do it on a daily basis. The "Contour" tool in CorelDraw is the best way of doing it. One of the most common mistakes I see with lettering is a wide white border on a skinny red font. Getting the width of your outlines so that they don't look insignificant or, at the other extreme, overpowering requires a bit of experience and practice.
If you're looking for a book on how to create logos on a computer then I would highly recommend a book by Leslie Cabarga called "Logo, Font, and Lettering Bible". Worth every penny if you're serious about creating professional logos. That book was the single biggest factor in improving the look of my designs - I'm a sign designer by trade but the skills apply equally as well as to the design of t-shirts.
One more thing. It sounds like you're relatively new at using CorelDraw. Don't get frustrated and think that maybe you need Adobe Illustrator instead. CorelDraw is easier to learn and in the long run a proficient user of CorelDraw should be able to easily out produce an equally proficient user of Adobe Illustrator. I use both - because I have to - but my first preference is CorelDraw by a huge margin for the simple reason that I can produce more in less time. Stick with it and CorelDraw will be your friend.
Hello to everyone out there! I would really appreciate some help in getting my my first cut on my Craft Robo Pro. I purchased it about six months and have not been able to get a contour cut yet (I usually spend about a day trying and then just get frustrated and leave it alone for about a couple of months until I have the energy to try again).
If anyone could help me I would be forever thankful (I usually print to 11x17 inch paper).
Have you tried to convert the outlined item to curves? Select the outlined item (In corel Draw) and then from the menu select Arrange->Convert to Curves (or press Ctrl-Q) before sending it to the cutter.
To DMoney, I tried the same thing at first, robomaster pro is not really a cutting tool. The best thing to do is get the drivers for Illustrator or CorelDRAW depending on which you have and cut it out from there.
Sektor67, thanks for the info on cutting. Honestly it's been a long time since I've tried (the frustration of it all). However, next time I give it a try, I will document the exact method I try so that in the event I get help, I can quickly pinpoint my misdirections.
I do have the CorelDRAW driver loaded (although I don't create in CorelDRAW 10 or above -I love and use CorelDRAW 9). With your advice my next try will focus on cutting from within CorelDRAW 10. Hopefully, you will stay in contact so that I may get advice from you.
Last edited by dmoneyhustla; January 16th, 2008 at 11:00 PM.
Reason: misspelled word
I am using a Roland and Corel X3. I always just convert the outlines to objects and they cut fine. Some cutters may have a problem though. You may have to go to wireframe view and delete the original center line, depending on how you are going about it.
Yes, you will definitely need to do some work to get the outline and original object to work together. Sometimes it's not quite as easy as just deleting the original centerline, depending on if you want to cut the fill, too.
Coreldraw with new graphtec 
