A cad-cut trick I just learned

[Frog]

My buddy Tom who does my cutting for me suggested that I add section cut lines or put "boxes" around the individual names or other designs to make weeding easier. That way, one doesn't have to wrestle with six feet of vinyl (or polyurethane)
Cutting apart before weeding,  is not always an option, as with some materials, the cut pattern is difficult to discern.

This, has made the job much easier. 

[inkman996]

Hey Frog I have a macro that automatically does that for you not sure if it works in the newer corel versions tho. My cut software also does it automatically for you maybe the guy you use has that feature and does not realize it.

[Frog]

I can understand the automatic macro in Corel, if when laying out, you tell it what to do, but how does the cut software know the difference between a three line phrase and three names?

[inkman996]

The cut software will place either vertical or horizontal lines anywhere there is a clear shot from one edge to the other. It does not matter whether it is a 3 line sentence or 3 separate names you still have to weed it.

[Frog]

Okay, so rather than a series of boxes and/or stripes, it's more of a grid.

[inkman996]

The black line around the text is the weed border, the red horizontal lines are the horizontal weed lines. You can turn on off whenever needed.

[Frog]

Good stuff!
Your "job size" seems the same as my manually created box, I guess.

However, my layouts are often not as neat as yours. I'm not sure that the automatic stuff would be so applicable.

I lay out on a 14" wide page to compensate for the margins, and I send Tom this in CoreDRAW

[inkman996]

I see whats going on frog. You are trying to utilize every inch of film space, by doing that it will not place horizontal or vertical weed lines unless it is clear end to end. In our case here we sacrifice material for speed, we lay everything out nice and neat allow the software to place weed lines and go. It looks like your best bet is to select and object while holding the shift key double click the rectangle tool this will create a perfect square around the object. If nothing selected it will create a rectangle matching the page size.

[Frog]

I see whats going on frog. You are trying to utilize every inch of film space,

Well, not every inch, but since I'm selling the final product transferred to the shirt, and not selling "Transfers" per se, that need to look neat and evenly sized, I couldn't imagine not using the material available. Unless it made layout or weeding difficult, and it looks like I have that licked now.
As you know, five or even ten yards can go quicker than you think, and there is little to match the feeling when you are just a few inches short!

Okay everybody, I know what's coming, and I and NBC have it covered

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ccdu8yZIanM[/youtube]

[cyw]

Not necessarily.
I have a macro that will add weed borders and/or grids around anything you want.....doesn't need to be all straight and even.
Andy's 'free-spirit' layout would be just fine, I think.
I'm not near my computer now but if I get a chance in the morning, I'll send you guys a link.

Diane

[Frog]

Well, I'll tell you. It was no big deal to manually place my boxes by duplicating and dragging to size, especially considering the improvement in my weeding, but if you have a macro that will make it even easier, I'm game.

[Chadwick]

Good tip Andy.
I'll remember that and pass it on to our vinyl cutter as well.

In my experience, manual methods kick the snot out of automation, any day.
( how long does it take to make a custom rectangle in vector software? )

Not raggin' on the other suggestion, just the way I roll.

Anyhow, thanks.
 

[Sbrem]

I was doing that in software, but didn't find it any more convenient than using a knife before I start weeding, just a quick horizontal slice under each name, I do however have the one large box around all the names, usually about 8 to 10 names per lot.

Steve

[Frog]

I was doing that in software, but didn't find it any more convenient than using a knife before I start weeding, just a quick horizontal slice under each name, I do however have the one large box around all the names, usually about 8 to 10 names per lot.

Steve

That is partly what prompted this new thing for me. As I have experimented with different materials (and even colors sometimes), the machine's cut lines don't always show. Otherwise, I was cutting off each name or number, or phrase, or graphic to a more manageable size before I ever weeded.

[cyw]

I've NEVER tried this, so I'm not sure if it wouldn't create more of a mess than anything else, but I have heard that some folks sprinkle baby powder on the sheet before weeding to help the cut lines show up.
Hmmm.
Guessing some folks have a lot of free time on their hands, huh?