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Mimaki and Corel
Hi friends,
I’m hoping someone can help me with a problem that has cropped up.
I’ve started working as a contractor for another sign shop who wants a fitter, as they just specialise in pop ups and banners. They need someone on call to sign vehicles for them whenever the need arises.
The problem we have is this.
Because they don’t actually do the job, they often supply stuff that is not produced right, economically and/or for ease of application.
I have offered to supply the files with cut lines in corel, but they tell me the mimaki supplier tells them that corel does not talk properly to the mimaki rip, and tells them they have to use Adobe Illustrator to create cut paths.
Is that true that it is too hard to use Corel on a mimaki? They are running a JV3-160.
It has caused an issue for me because I can’t use Ai and they don’t have Corel.
Corel has to be the easiest thing in the world to use for print and cut on my roland, I just can’t imagine its not compatible with the Mimaki.
Any advice would be appreciated
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14 Replies
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so the cutter being the Mimaki CG-FX range?
This is run by Corel or Illustrator, a program called Finecut and if they have it installed on their Illustrator PC then you should be fine. I think it might not be dongle protected so you might be able to install the software, i am not sure. You may need to borrow the CD as upgrade software are only offered online. www. mimaki.co.jp Once you make your artwork in Corel, you then use Finecut tools to create your cutting path, you should then be able to save this and print/do/pass the job over to them (as long as they have corel on their PC)
With regards the Mimaki RIP, sadly I dont have any experience with it.
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Thanks very much Dave,
Fine Cut is the issue I think.
Can I do the (hairline) cut line in Corel, and they reassign the hairline as a cut line in finecut?
That is about the only way I can think it can be done.
Thanks again mate.
Cheers
Shane -
Shane, the easiest way we’ve found of dealing with cut lines is….
1. Have the cut line on a separate layer. No stroke or fill (so that it doesn’t print).
2. Lock all layers, except the one with the cut lines on.
3. Save the file.
Then all the person at the other end has to do is to open the file, press whatever keyboard shortcut their mix of computer and software requires to select everything, assign the appropriate colour and thickness, and press the cut button.
That might sound complicated, but soon becomes second nature and we don’t have to think about it.
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Bit tired just now, but why not just assign the contour colour to CutPath(or whatever mimaki’s rip regognises) before exporting as an ai or eps?
Peter -
Thanks guys.
Both good suggestions.
Peter, the problem I’m having is the present contractor, that I’m replacing, is being uncooperative, and the guys at the sign shop have no idea what is required. They have been using this bloke from day one (ex employee) so he’s got them over a barrel.
Its the reason they want to change, as he keeps them in the dark as much as he can.
Never having used Finecut, or Ai, I’m in the dark myself 😳
I’m working there all day next Friday, so I might sit down and see if I can get a handle on their system while I’m there.
Cheers all, really appreciate your help on this.
Shane
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sorry shane but sounds like when they realize how easy it can be they will drop you. so may be a good idea to keep them in the dark 😉
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quote Chris Wool:sorry shane but sounds like when they realize how easy it can be they will drop you. so may be a good idea to keep them in the dark 😉
I know Chris, I’ve already suggested that they should learn how to do it.
I only got involved because 3M suggested they contact me for some advice and assistance.
I’m happy for them to do it, and I’ll just fit. No skin off my nose at all. They are a nice bunch of guys in truth.
Cheers
Shane -
Hi Shane,
What Dave said is true, you need Fine Cut for the Mimaki to cut with Corel. It is a plug in for Corel.
We don’t use it as we use Flexi to do everything. But if you need the Fine Cut, let me know as I have it. There is no dongle for it so you can just install and use it with your Corel.Heng
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quote Heng:Hi Shane,
What Dave said is true, you need Fine Cut for the Mimaki to cut with Corel. It is a plug in for Corel.
We don’t use it as we use Flexi to do everything. But if you need the Fine Cut, let me know as I have it. There is no dongle for it so you can just install and use it with your Corel.Heng
Thanks Heng.
I’ll drop you a line and see how much you want for it.
Cheers
Shane -
I think its a free download Shane www. mimaki.co.jp Peter
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Thanks Peter 🙂
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The updates are free, but you need an installer disk of the current version, as
the updater asks to verify by inserting the disk. Make sure you use the updater
for the version of the disk you have, ie. a version 7 updater will reject the verification
if you insert a version 6 disk. If you don’t have a Mimaki plotter, it can be a bit
difficult getting a disk, as the program is not for sale. PM me if you need any help… -
I have colleagues who use Corel and Fine Cut with a Mimaki and it works very well. Corel will export as AI and I don’t see why the job cannot be exported as A1 and then just dropped into Illustrator.
Alan D -
…but you always have to check the file you have exported, is possible that you will have some vectors open or some other problem!
I had a lot of problems with this conventions ! 😥
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