Graphtec CE5000, Roland GX-24, US Cutter LaserPoint: Contour Cutting (Print & Cut)
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Graphtec CE5000, Roland GX-24, US Cutter LaserPoint: Contour Cutting (Print & Cut)
Graphtec CE5000, Roland GX-24, US Cutter LaserPoint: Contour Cutting (Print & Cut)
First: My review of the US Cutter LaserPoint will need to wait until this weekend. I haven't been able to clear a spot for it yet, and I have a couple of jobs to do tomorrow and Friday for a client.
What is Contour Cutting
I've heard it asked many times what Contour Cutting is.
Contour Cutting is the process of cutting a contour, either around the perimeter of a printed graphic, or in a specific shape, whether rectangular, circular, or an arbitrary shape around a printed graphic.
Here are two examples of Print & Cut stickers that we did for packaging for one client of ours:
And an Inkjet Transfer (JPSS):
The stickers were cut on a Roland GX-24, and the t-shirt transfer was cut on a Graphtec CE5000-60.
As you can see, you can cut all types of items with a plotter that has an optical eye that will read registration marks.
Caution: Not all plotters with "Optical Eyes" will read registration marks. Many of the less expesive models state that they have optical eyes, but they are solely for the purpose of reading the size of your media, and unless they specifically say that they will read "Registration Marks", they will NOT contour cut.
Example: I'm supposed to be comparing the US Cutter Copam 2500 with the Roland GX-24. While the Copam has an optical eye, it is for reading the size of your media ONLY, and is not capable of contour cutting, which is why it is not being included in this comparison.
Setting Up Your Contour Cuts
Roland GX-24
Setting up your contour Cuts for cutting is on a Roland GX-24 is done either in CutStudio, Illustrator, or CorelDRAW, but ultimately ends up in CutStudio.
Illustrator or CorelDRAW
When setting up your graphic in Illustrator or CorelDRAW, create your graphic, and then either a)user a part of your graphic as your cutting path, or b) create a new cutting path around (or even within) your graphic.
Save your graphic (without your cutting path) as a JPG or BMP, then rasterize it (SAVE A BACKUP FIRST!!!).
Then, using the export filter (sorry, I'm not sure how to access it in Illustrator. Maybe Josh or someone that uses Illustrator with their GX-24 can elaborate)(In CorelDRAW, you would run the CutStudio export macro.), export your graphic to CutStudio. If done properly, you will see your cutting path and a rectangle. The rectangle is the container where your rasterized graphic was in relation to your cutting path. (Unfortunately, and I've talked to Dana from Roland about this, the export filter does NOT include any raster information when you go to CutStudio.)
Now import your graphic (as a JPG or BMP that you saved earlier) into CutStudio. You will most likely need to resize it as it imports at a very low dpi and will look HUGE compared to your cutting path and page. Get the dimensions of your graphic from Illustrator or CorelDRAW.
Then align your bitmap with the container rectangle that was imported from Illy or Corel. Select the container rectangle and delete it. Your cutting paths should now be lined up with your graphic where you want to cut.
Now go to File -> Print & Cut
Set up your printer for the size of your paper, then click the button that says "Fit into shared area for cutting and printing", which will move your registration marks to their outermost bounds. Hit OK.
Select both your graphic and your cutting paths and move them so that they are completely within your registration marks.
You're now ready to print and cut.
CutStudio
If you don't have Illustrator or CorelDRAW, you can import a JPG or BMP into CutStudio to contour cut it. Size it as necessary.
If you want to cut along the borders of your graphic (like the outline of a person), right-click on your graphic and choose "Image Outline". Adjust your settings as necessary, and hit "OK.
If you don't want any of the cutting paths that were created, select your cutting paths and go to Objet -> Brek Polyline. Select any paths that you don't want (be sure not so accidentally select any that you DO want), and delete them. This is especially important if you have white in your design as it will create a path around those areas of your graphic.
If you want to create arbitrary cutting paths, use the design tools available to make whatever cutting paths you'd like.
File -> Cut & Print, and follow the directions listed above to set up your page size and registration marks and move your graphic and cutting paths.
Graphtec CE5000 Series
Setting up your contour cuts for cutting on a Graphtec CE5000 Series plotter is done either in ROBO Master Pro, the stand-alone program for cutting with the Graphtec CE5000 Series plotters, Illustrator, or CorelDRAW.
Illustrator or CorelDRAW
When setting up your graphic in Illustrator or CorelDRAW, create your graphic, and then either a)user a part of your graphic as your cutting path, or b) create a new cutting path around (or even within) your graphic.
Make sure your page is set up for the size of paper you will be printing.
Place your graphic lower on the page (if using portrait) or more to the left of the page (if using landscape).
In Illustrator, go to File -> Cutting Master 2 ->Registration Marks.
In CorelDRAW, go to the Application Launcher and select Registration Marks.
Adjust the settings as you'd like them, and hit OK. Your registration marks will now show up on your page.
Keep in mind that you need to leave space, not only for your margins, but also at the top (portrait) or right (landscape) of your page so that you leave room for the difference in space between your pinch rollers and your blade on your plotter. This can take a few tries to get right, and can be incredibly frustrating until you get the hang of it.
You are now ready to print and cut.
For more complete instructions on how to Print & Cut with a Graphtec CE5000 Series plotter using either Illustrator or CorelDRAW, download this PDF:
To set up for contour cutting in ROBO Master Pro, create your graphic in whatever graphics program you have. If you're working with a vector program, you can create your cutting paths, too.
Export your graphic (without cutting paths) as a raster file like a JPG or BMP. If you created cutting paths, export those as a DXF (without your graphic).
If you created cutting paths in your graphics program, in ROBO Master Pro, go to File -> Load DXF. Then set up your page and registration mark settings. Then import your image by going to Insert -> File. You then need to line your cutting path and your image up manually, which is kind of a pain as there's no live preview of where you're moving your path or image.
If you want ROBO Master Pro to create your cutting paths automatically, select and right-click on your graphic and select "Get Ouline". Adjust your settings or even edit your bitmap (in black and white), then press "Convert to Outline". The biggest difference between creating your cutting paths in ROBO Master Pro vs CutStudio is that you're given the option to create your paths as "Outer Frame Only", in which none of your inner elements (areas that show up as white in the bitmap editing window) are converted to paths...only the outline, whereas in CutStudio, it seems, you don't have that option. Press "Paste then Exit".
Set up your page size and registration mark settings and move your graphic to within your regisrtation marks, making sure that your graphic doesn't extend beyond your reg marks and no part of your graphic that will print is within the little cross-hatched areas of your page (in your reg marks).
You're now ready to print and cut.
Printing
Print as you normally would in any of these programs. If you're printing an inkjet transfer for light fabrics, what I would do in any of these programs is mirror your image in your design program, along with your cutting paths, then save.
Remember not to print your cutting paths.
Cutting
Roland GX-24
Load your printed paper into your plotter, making sure to keep your pinch rollers completely outside of your registration marks and on your printed media. Make sure you load it in the same orientation that you designed it in.
Also, if you're cutting an inkjet transfer for lights (most papers), use a carrier sheet like Magic Mask or TTD Mask.
In CutStudio, under File -> Cutting Setup, get your media size from your plotter. This may not be 100% necessary, but I like to do it anyway...
Press the Cutting button and hit OK. Your machine will now search for your registration marks and then cut.
Done.
Graphtec CE5000 Series
Illustrator or CorelDRAW
Load your printed media into your plotter with the side that has the space to the TOP. If you're cutting most inkjet transfers, use a carrier sheet. You can place your pinch rollers either on your printed media or on your carrier, it doesn't matter.
In Illustrator, go to File -> Cutting Master 2 ->Cut/Plot.
In CorelDRAW, go to your Application Launcher and press Cut/Plot.
Make sure your cutting orientation is set up properly for your particular print (if portrait, make sure that you cut normally and for landscape, make sure your cuts are rotated.
Also, make sure your mirroring is set to normal, not mirrorred.
Go to your Layers/Colors tab and either select your cutting paths layer and deselect all others, or select your cutting path's color and deselect all others (I like to use No Fill for my cutting paths.)
Now go to your last tab and make sure "Use Registration Marks" checked.
Hit Send.
You will now have a little popup that tells you to align your blade to your first registration mark. Do that using the arrow keys on your plotter. Make sure your blade is positioned about mid-way on either line of your lower-right reg mark.
Go back to your computer and hit OK
Your machine will now attempt to read each of your reg marks and then cut.
Done.
ROBO Master Pro
In ROBO Master Pro, make sure your output setting are correct, then send to your cutter.
You will then need to go through the same proceedure as above with setting your blade above your first regisrtation mark, go back to your computer, and hit OK.
Again, it will attempt to find your registration marks, and then cut.
Done.
Conclusions:
Some people may have different methods than described above. If you use another method, please post it here.
As far as setting up your graphic and cutting paths, I prefer to do things in CorelDRAW. Personal preference, and everyone has their own.
I really like the way I can work from CorelDRAW with our Graphtec, and I have a nice little system set up.
But...
I REALLY hate the way I and so many other people get regirstation mark read errors so often. This machine really takes finesse.
Another thing I like about contour cutting on the Graphtec is that you can maximize your printing area by using a carrier sheet and placing your pinch rollers on the carrier sheet.
What I really hate, tho, is the two-step process of sending your cuts to the plotter and then needing to position your blade over your first reg mark, and for this reason alone, I LOVE contour cutting with the Roland!
I had ONE read error with the Roland, and it was my mistake. I put the pinch rollers on the carrier sheet once, not realizing that they NEEDED to be on the printed sheet. Easy enough to fix.
Another thing...with the Graphtec, especially in the beginning until you're used to the way it works, I suggest importing your graphics into ROBO Master Pro and doing your cutting from there. You will know that your registration marks are where they need to be in order to not get read errors. It's a pain to use ROBO Master Pro if you want to use your own cutting paths, but it will save many headaches as you're actually trying to cut.
As far as software goes...I think it's a wash. I like some of the features of ROBO Master Pro (especially the way you automatically create cutting paths and bitmaps importing at the proper size), but I prefer almost everything else in CutStudio.
Overall, I think the Roland wins, hands-down, because of ease of cutting. Both of them take a little bit of work to get your graphics set up properly, and I do prefer the way I can use CorelDRAW, but having all of those reg mark read errors has really gotten to me.
If you plan on using a lot of contour cutting in your business, do yourself a favor and buy a GX-24. For Contour Cutting, this machine is a dream come true.
I may need to re-write some of this once I review the LaserPoint.
__________________
We miss you, Jerry.
Last edited by Chani; April 17th, 2008 at 12:44 AM.
Re: Graphtec CE5000, Roland GX-24, US Cutter LaserPoint: Contour Cutting (Print & Cut)
Chani, when time allows, please let us know how the Laser point does with the contour cutting. I am just interested in it's capabilities and limitations, I know it is not a Roland, but would reallyyyy like to know just what it is and isn't for $500. Thanks so much -- when you get time...
Re: Graphtec CE5000, Roland GX-24, US Cutter LaserPoint: Contour Cutting (Print & Cut)
I know it helped make up my mind. I had been on the fence and was looking at several vinyl cutters. I read all I could about my choices. I chose a Roland GX24 because of the ease of operation with the trimming transfers. I'm still not a real fan of the cut studio software, but I continue to use it.
Re: Graphtec CE5000, Roland GX-24, US Cutter LaserPoint: Contour Cutting (Print & Cut)
Cut Studio is fine for contour cutting, but several people have touted CadWorxLIVE. I still haven't had a chance to play with it, but I'm hopeful that it will make other jobs a whole lot easier (cut-by-color, etc...).
Kelly, I just verified some information with Marcus, and I'll be continuing my tests this coming week. I would do it this weekend, but we have a large order to press this weekend, and my mom needs TWO of her computers reformatted.
Re: Graphtec CE5000, Roland GX-24, US Cutter LaserPoint: Contour Cutting (Print & Cut)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chani
Cut Studio is fine for contour cutting, but several people have touted CadWorxLIVE. I still haven't had a chance to play with it, but I'm hopeful that it will make other jobs a whole lot easier (cut-by-color, etc...).
Kelly, I just verified some information with Marcus, and I'll be continuing my tests this coming week. I would do it this weekend, but we have a large order to press this weekend, and my mom needs TWO of her computers reformatted.
More to come soon!
I like cadworx live a whole lot. It is a great software, but I still need some other software for shows and festivals. I can't always get a signal to get to the web. Thanks Chani for all your hard work and honesty. ..... JB
Re: Graphtec CE5000, Roland GX-24, US Cutter LaserPoint: Contour Cutting (Print & Cut)
Does anyone know if Flexi's contour cut would work without a contour cutter? The way I figure it, it should as long as you have the correct drivers for your machine.
This is a discussion about Graphtec CE5000, Roland GX-24, US Cutter LaserPoint: Contour Cutting (Print & Cut) that was posted in the Vinyl Cutters (Plotters) and Transfers section of the forums.
Graphtec CE5000, Roland GX-24, US Cutter LaserPoint: Contour Cutting (Print & Cut) 
Thanks so much, tho, you're a Dear!
