MultiSkin
 
MultiSkin facilitates the data transfer from CorelDRAW (9-X4) to GreatCut by automatically starting GreatCut and also passing on the data that are on the desktop to GreatCut. Depending on the skin it is sufficient to double click or click once on the knife-icon in order to carry out the previously described function.
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Drag & Drop (with CorelDRAW)
 
Import and Export via drag & drop for CorelDRAW

The Wireframe mode shows the outlines to be cut.
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Pencil thickness conversion
 
Source graphic with color fill and pencil thickness (8 pt blue)
Wireframe mode in CorelDRAW shows vectors without pencil thickness.
The graphic is given to GreatCut using drag & drop function or GreatCut export icon.
Result of pencil thickness conversion - cuttable outlines (blue) with original vectors (see wireframe mode above).
Enlarged preview
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Cutting and Welding
 
Select the object and click on the X Cutting or Welding symbol.
 
You choose the type of welding:
Automatic: Overlapping serifs of fonts are welded.

By Color: The underlying object will be cut larger according to the amount specified to avoid streaks
Full Surface: The objects are cut precisely for sticking on shop windows.
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Screen-printing
  When Screen-printing is selected, the color stack is activated. You can modify the sequence of colors interactively from light to dark with the help of the mouse.
 
Specify the amount of Overlap to avoid streaks in the joins.
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Cutting by color
 
  GreatCut allows you to cut individual colors or series of colors.
 

You select the machine, mode, number of copies ...... and click on Cut.
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Material database
 
  You can set default values for print and speed, which can be saved in a material databank for retrieval at any time.
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Cutting Preview
  You can place a shadow around any object.
 
The Use of Material is shown in sq. m and running meters in the Cutting Preview status line.
  In the Cutting Preview the user can see which objects will be cut where on the material.
  The context menu can be activated using the right mouse button.
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  GreatCut Commands in the Cutting Preview
Optimizing
 

The amount of material used is minimized by rotating and moving the objects. You can specify the distance between the objects to be optimized.
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Duplicating
 
  You can create any number of duplicates of objects.
  You can specify the distance between the objects to be duplicated.
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Rotation
 
  The object is rotated 90o in a counterclockwise direction.
   
X Mirror / Y Mirror
  The object is mirrored horizontally or vertically.
 
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Size
 
The object can be enlarged proportionally or disproportionally.
When the maximum width of foil is exceeded, GreatCut activates the sectioning command.
   
Sectioning
 
 
The object is divided into segments of equal size. Each segment can be cut separately. The segments can be moved individually and also positioned exactly. You can deactivate individual segments by clicking on them. The most recent setting will be saved automatically.
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  Register marks
  For the assembly of the cut by color layers register marks are necessary.
  The register marks are set by using the mouse.
 

In order to enable the exact assembly of foil colors, the register marks are cut independently of the used color, at the same place on the foil.
 
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  Jog marks
 

The jog marks function is used in order to create Sticker. Printed vinyl with jog marks is put in the cutter. The numbers of duplicates are cut with a contour.

 

Load Bitmap and create contour with contour function.
Note: Not to mistake with outline function.

  Setup jog marks
  Objects align over universal jog marks
  Set jog marks
  print material with jog marks
  Output your image
 

Setup for specific plotter
Click “Read material” to make sure the width of your material.

 
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  Plot Manager
  The Plot Manager defines which devices are used, how local and network connections are configured, which PC runs as plot server, which job is active or passive, calculates and summarizes the tool movements for each job/tool and allows to configure how often jobs are repeated.
  The following graphics describes how the new Plot Manager of GreatCut works. In the right column you'll find an extended description of the most important options.
 

Driver selection is done by selecting your cutter in the driver list box on the right side.

The plot server option displays your local IP address, which has to be entered as TCP/IP address in the clients. Detailed configuration

Local ports and USB devices connect the selected device to your PC. The settings button allows to configure baud rate, data bits, etc..

Over the TCP/IP option you can send your plot data to an external network print server device.

The spooler option allows selecting a network printer (generic text only). Via this spooler you can send raw data to any device you like.
  Figure 1: Setup dialog - driver and port selection
 

The clipart.job is now being cut. In the preview you see a thumbnail of the cutting job.

With drag & drop to 'Passive jobs' you can deactivate the running job. All cut jobs are listed under the 'Saved jobs' tree and can be reactivated by dragging them to the 'Active jobs' tree.
  Figure 2: Tree structure with configured devices and cut job management branches
 

You can define specific output options for each device.

'Count of saved output files' defines the length of the history of saved jobs.

Output count defines how often active jobs are given out from the device.
  Figure 3: Output option
 
This window shows the distance each tool of the device has covered since last reset.
 

Figure 4: Summary of tool movements
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  POWERweedTM
 

What is POWERweed?
It can be seen in the figure 1 below that the objects to be cut are only surrounded by a weeding frame.
Especially when the objects are small, this is often insufficient for weeding them quickly and easily.
In the GreatCut cutting preview you have three possibilities of using this feature.
The POWERweed feature of GreatCut simplifies the weeding act by adding horizontal or vertical weeding lines.
These additional weeding lines besides the weeding frame leave out the cut vectors of the objects. (See fig. 2 below)
  Example of Adding Weeding Lines in the Cutting Preview
 
 

Figure 1: Adding Horizontal/Vertical Weeding Lines
  1.Manual/Individual
  Position the mouse cursor on the weeding frame surrounding the objects.
  The mouse cursor turns into a double arrow. Now drag the horizontal/vertical segment line (comparable with guidelines in your illustration program) to the position where you wish to make a segment. Repeat the procedure until you have added all the segment lines you wish.
  2.Via the Options Menu
  Select the particular menu item; once or as often as you like and in any order.
  3.Via the Shortcuts ‘h’ or ‘v’)
 

‘H’ adds a horizontal, ‘V’ a vertical weeding line. The weeding line is set automatically in the middle of the width or height.
The second weeding line is set in the middle of the half, the next one in the middle of the quarters and so on.
In the figure below you can see how a cut job is prepared for cutting with segment lines.
 
  Figure 2: Example of Adding Horizontal/Vertical Segment Lines
  It can be seen in the figure above that if you keep on clicking one of these two menu items the segments created
will be divided at the centre by further segment lines.
  Result
 
 

Figure 3: This Is To Be Cut in vinyl!
  If the job to be cut is situated to the left of, above or below the material preview when the Cutting menu is activated, you will automatically be informed that the objects to be cut are outside the cutting area.
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  FOTOcutTM
  This module creates vector patterns such as Lines, Rhombuses, Circles, Squares, Single Rhombuses, Single Rectangles and Spirals from Windows bitmap files (*.BMP, *.PCX, & *.TIF). These patterns can be cut on every cutting plotter or similar device. The image is divided into logical pixels and the average grayscale is worked out for each of these logical pixels. Thus, an image is created having fewer pixels than the original. This image is then used to create horizontal or vertical lines, circles, squares, etc, whose width is proportional to the grayscale in the corresponding place.
  The following image will serve as a model for all the examples:
 
  Figure 1: Model for Examples (photo.bmp)
 
  Figure 2: Example of Reversing the Grayscale Value
 
 
Line width upwards Line width downwards
  Figure 3: Example of Reversing the Line Width
 
  Figure 4: Example of Line Width Enlarged Upwards and Downwards
 

Even small modifications of the values produce very different results.
  Elaborated Weed Aid
   
  Create Weed Aid
The lines are thickened at the ends so that the image can be weeded more quickly.
   
  Strap Width
You can specify the width of a strap in this box.
   
  Strap Thickness
You can specify the thickness of a strap in this box. Strap Offset to Weed Border
You can enter the offset to the weed border in this box.
   
  Stripes per Strap
In this box you can enter the number of stripes that each strap should contain.
The bitmap dimensions in pixels and mm and the probable Number of Objects are displayed beneath these fields.
  Example of Stripes per Strap, Strap Width, Strap Thickness and Stripes
 
  Modes:
Lines, Rhombuses, Circles, Squares, Single Rhombuses, Single Rectangles and Spirals.
  Which mode will obtain the best result depends on the bitmap used and the parameters set.
  Check results by print out
It is not easy to judge the quality of the result from the screen display. Therefore you should print out the result so that you can assess it accurately and don‘t run the risk of wasting expensive vinyl
  Creativity without limits. Use this elaborated feature to create outstanding signage.
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  Job Manager
  The Job Manager, which is included in GreatCut, is a powerful tool to organize and preview designs, clipart, cut jobs, etc…
   
  Highlights
 
  • Compatible with the following file formats: *.CMX, *.CCJ, *.JOB, *.AI/EPS, *.PLT, *.TIF.
  • It is able to scan complete clipart CD-ROMs in one pass and display the contents afterwards without inserting the CD-ROM.
  • File search is supported by using search paths or search masks.
  • Thumbnail size can be changed by simply pressing + key or - key.
 
 

Figure: Job Manager Window with search path tree, search masks and thumbnails
djustments and mistakes reserved.

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