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how do i lay out graphics in order to cut in signlab?
after using my mates signlab and flexi sign during the week i found it a nitemare compared to vmp which i use and the 1 main problem was sending to the cutfile and once there i could do nothing with it, ie: the lettering on the side of a van, various lines of text i outline the van with a drag box and sent to cut, now on vmp i can then select each line put a weed box around it and position it on the vinyl anywhere i want, on signlab 7.1 and flexi i could not do this it was going to cut it as it was ie: over nearly 4/5mtrs of vinyl positioned as it was laid out on the van when it would of used less than 3mtrs if all sqeezed in correctly. im going back to do some more work at his sign shop next week and dred having to sit for hours messing with his signlab, toying with the idea of taking my pc to use vmp 😕
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8 Replies
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You need to have a look at BLOCK NESTING in signlab and you can only move things in signlab not when you send it to cut you need to use block nesting, you can put a cut line in cut but I all ways do it in signlab and make uses of the layers too.
hope you understand that.
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I create a cut file on each day i am cutting (that way I can always go back to that date and cut only the piece I need) In the cut file I set the signblank to the vinyl width then place all of one colour within it ready to cut, so select all cobalt blue, nest it in the signblank then send to cutter.
I tried block nesting before but found I could get better results doing it manually, OK it does take a bit more time, but it also helps me remember which bit belongs where on the van.
Dave
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so if i understand you here, what i have to do is get all my text lines with a weed box/cut line around them and nest them all up b4 i send them to the cut file, mmm guess signlab should have a look at the way vinyl master pro does this and they may learn something! think il just take my pc and use vmp next week. 😕
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When i go to cut in signlab, if i have alot to cut out i normaly make a pannel the size of the vinyl and place every thing in it the best i can. Im sure when you go to cut you can select what you took into cut ether put weed border on or off move it around to where ever you want, rotate it. I dont use a wed border on bolk jobs only smaller one off cuts. For the money signlab could do with improving alot of things for the money they charge. I dont like the colours you see on the screen i normally set my colours in coreldraw. As a basic sign design and out put program its fine, you can run any cnc machine off it. Other wise i would get into programs like adobe cs2.
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Just my opinion, its just as easy to arrange your cuts before sending them to the cut file as after. but for most jobs I don’t try and use the "spare vinyl" I cut it as it is designed, it saves time in the long run, less to align etc., nesting is fine if you are using very expensive material, but for most jobs, I wouldnt bother,
Peter
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Peter I have to agree with you as I can’t see it matters if you arrange it before or after it goes to the cut file either.
I tend to cut designs as they are as well without nesting everything, as I work on my own anything I can do to cut down on the application time is a bonus to me. I use inspire 1.5 pro which came before Flexi but it still does all I need it to so don’t see the point in spending a lot of money upgrading it.
I don’t tend to use weed boxes either, I normally plot the graphics/text and then run a scalpel in between each line of text so I am only weeding one line at a time. -
quote Peter Normington:Just my opinion, its just as easy to arrange your cuts before sending them to the cut file as after. but for most jobs I don’t try and use the “spare vinyl” I cut it as it is designed, it saves time in the long run, less to align etc., nesting is fine if you are using very expensive material, but for most jobs, I wouldnt bother,Peter
Ditto. The time wasted nesting & specially compiling jobs in the same colour (unless it’s something like cast etch or reflective vinyl) is outweighed by saving time in cutting & application by cutting to sign sizes, registering to edges etc. None of that ‘eye-balling’ or measuring – just plant it down first time – every time, pre-aligned, pre-spaced. Keeping the ‘best use’ policy in the back of your mind when designing also saves excess waste.
OK, I generate a sh…ed load of offcuts that way…but they get used eventually…for something.
Dave
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i must admit i have only used signlab the once but from what you say as in just send the lot to the cut file and cut as is! surely thats a hell of a lot of wasted material, how long is a lwb tranny ? 5/6 mtrs of vinyl when if squoshed in you may use 2/3 mtrs, lot of waste. this is what i carnt seem to fathom, signlab and flexi are sposed to be top end and are expensive and yet in vmp (£499) you send the lot to the cut file put a weed box around whatever the text etc is the hit the SQUOSH button and it auto squoshed/nest whatever its called in sl and flexi but if you want to manually move each weed box around you can its so easy, software for you eh 😕 merry xmas all btw 😛
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