Changes

== Description ==

== Description ==

Vinyl cutting is the process of cutting graphics out of vinyl to make adhesive vinyl applications. The maker hub has a Roland GR-640 cutter. It cuts larger format vinyl than the BN-20 [[Vinyl Printer]], but does not have printing capability. It is used to make stickers/cutouts for applications such as signage, vehicle graphics, apparel, etc. The vinyl cutter is used primarily at George Fox for cutting vinyl sheeting, but can cut other materials if needed for a specific project, see [https://www.rolanddga.com/products/vinyl-cutters/camm-1-gr-large-format-cutters/applications this application page]

Vinyl cutting is the process of cutting graphics out of vinyl to make adhesive vinyl applications. The maker hub has a Roland GR-640 cutter. It cuts larger format vinyl than the BN-20 [[Vinyl Printer]], but does not have printing capability. It is used to make stickers/cutouts for applications such as signage, vehicle graphics, apparel, etc. The vinyl cutter is used primarily for cutting vinyl sheeting, but can cut other materials if needed for a specific project, see [https://www.rolanddga.com/products/vinyl-cutters/camm-1-gr-large-format-cutters/applications this application page]

Example process video:

Example process video:

{{#evu:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7uNKdjR1JY}}

{{#evu:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7uNKdjR1JY}}

== Documentation ==

== Documentation ==

The User's Manual covers many basic things about the GR-640. It has instruction on cutting, maintenance, and calibration. Select the Basic Edition for easy access to these topics.

The user manual has instruction on cutting, maintenance, and calibration. After opening the user manual, select the "Basic Edition" from the Table of Contents in the left column to view this information.

[[Media:GR-640 540 420 User Manual english.pdf|Vinyl Cutter User Manual]]

[[Media:GR-640 540 420 User Manual english.pdf|Vinyl Cutter User Manual]]

==== Terminology ====

====Terminology====

* Weeding: the process of removing unwanted material from the cut sticker.

* Weeding: the process of removing unwanted material after the vinyl has been cut

* Graphic: the chosen image/picture to be formatted and cut.

* Graphic: the chosen image/picture to be formatted and cut

* Adobe illustrator 2024 (Ai): used to prep the graphic for cutting.

* Adobe Illustrator 2024 (Ai): used to prep the graphic for cutting

* Roland Cut Studio DD(RCS): used to finalize the format of the graphic and send it to the vinyl cutter for cutting.

* Roland Cut Studio (RCS): an Ai extension used to finalize the format of the graphic and send it to the vinyl cutter for cutting

 

* Vector images: an image constructed with mathematical formulas which makes it easy to resize and perform other edits

* Vector images - An image constructed with mathematical formulas which makes it easy to resize and perform other edits.

* Raster images: an image constructed with pixels which means they cannot be resized without a change in resolution

* Raster images - An image constructed with pixels which means they cannot be resized without a change in resolution.

== Training ==

== Training ==

==== Demonstration ====

==== Demonstration ====

The student will choose a 2 in. x 2 in. graphic and upload into Ai. They will then need to properly format it and use the RCS extension in Ai. Using RCS, they will finalize and cut the graphic. To finish they will weed the sticker and apply it to transfer paper. They can then choose to save the sticker for later or immediately apply it to a medium of their choice. The student is also responsible for setting up the vinyl cutter before it is used and resetting it after they are done.  

The student will draw a 2 in. x 2 in. graphic and upload into Ai. They will then need to properly format it and use the RCS extension in Ai. Using RCS, they will finalize and cut the graphic. To finish they will weed the sticker and apply it to transfer paper. They can then choose to save the sticker for later or immediately apply it to a medium of their choice. The student is also responsible for setting up the vinyl cutter before it is used and resetting it after they are done.

==== General Procedure ====

==== General Procedure ====

In Adobe Illustrator:

In Adobe Illustrator:

[[File:Ai 2024.jpg|1000px|none|Ai 2024 Home Page]]

[[File:Ai 2024.jpg|1200px|none|Ai 2024 Home Page]]

# Use Adobe illustrator '''2024''' (Ai).

*Use Adobe illustrator '''2024''' (Ai).

# Best practice is to start with a new work-space, then size the dimensions to the piece of material you are using.

*Best practice is to start with a new work-space, then size the dimensions to the piece of material you are using.

##[[File:Blank doc.jpg|1000px|none]]

[[File:Blank doc.jpg|1200px|none]]

## Open the Roland Cut Studio extension: Window > Extensions > Roland CutStudio

*Open the Roland Cut Studio extension: Window > Extensions > Roland CutStudio

###[[File:Windows-Extensions-Roland CutStudios.jpg|1000px|none]]

[[File:Windows-Extensions-Roland CutStudios.jpg|1200px|none]]

## For cut setup, select the GR-640.

*For model setup, select the GR-640.

# Setting up the graphic in Ai:

Setting up the graphic in Ai:

## File is .pdf (the ideal format):

# File is .pdf (the ideal format):

### Use [File] > [Open].

## Use [File] > [Open].

### Hit [Window] > [Layers], this can also be dragged over to the toolbar on the right side of the screen.

## Hit [Window] > [Layers], this can also be dragged over to the toolbar on the right side of the screen.

#### Use this to remove all unnecessary cut paths by selecting only the individual cut line and clicking the trashcan icon in the lower right of the screen.

### Use this to remove all unnecessary cut paths by selecting only the individual cut line and clicking the trashcan icon in the lower right of the screen.

#### You’ll know you’ve removed an essential path if that part of the image disappears.

### You’ll know you’ve removed an essential path if that part of the image disappears.

#### Usually the goal of this step is to remove any large borders around the graphic.

### Usually the goal of this step is to remove any large borders around the graphic.

### Image size can be edited using the size sliders located on the tool bar near the top of the screen, closer to the right.

## Image size can be edited using the size sliders located on the tool bar near the top of the screen, closer to the right.

## File is .jpg/png (any non-vector format):

# File is .jpg/png (any non-vector format):

### Use [File] > [Place].

## Use [File] > [Place].

### Click in the top left corner, then drag with the cursor until the graphic is the desired size.

## Click in the top left corner, then drag with the cursor until the graphic is the desired size.

### Use [Object] > [Flatten Transparency] to convert the graphic to vector form, use the high resolution preset.

## Use [Object] > [Flatten Transparency] to convert the graphic to vector form, use the high resolution preset.

### Click [Image Trace] on the tool bar near the top middle of the screen, then click [Expand], which enables cut lines to be edited.

## Click [Image Trace] on the tool bar near the top middle of the screen, then click [Expand], which enables cut lines to be edited.

#### Once this step is done, the graphic’s cut lines should show up in the Roland Cut Studio preview area, and the graphic should turn black.

### Once this step is done, the graphic’s cut lines should show up in the Roland Cut Studio preview area, and the graphic should turn black.

### Hit [Window] > [Layers], this can also be dragged over to the toolbar on the right side of the screen.

## Hit [Window] > [Layers], this can also be dragged over to the toolbar on the right side of the screen.

#### Use this to remove all unnecessary cut paths by selecting only the individual cut line and clicking the trashcan icon in the lower right of the screen.

### Use this to remove all unnecessary cut paths by selecting only the individual cut line and clicking the trashcan icon in the lower right of the screen.

#### You’ll know you’ve removed an essential path if that part of the image disappears.

### You’ll know you’ve removed an essential path if that part of the image disappears.

#### Usually the goal of this step is to remove any large borders around the graphic.

### Usually the goal of this step is to remove any large borders around the graphic.

### Image size can be edited using the size sliders located on the tool bar near the top of the screen, closer to the right.

## Image size can be edited using the size sliders located on the tool bar near the top of the screen, closer to the right.

In Inkscape:

In Inkscape:

# If your file is already in a vector format go to [File] > [Open] to bring the graphic into Inkscape. If it is not a vector file go to [File] > [Import] and Inkscape will bring in the file.

# If your file is already in a vector format go to [File] > [Open] to bring the graphic into Inkscape. If it is not a vector file go to [File] > [Import] and Inkscape will bring in the file.

# Save your file as an .svg and open it in Ai to use the Roland CutStudio extension.  

# Save your file as an .svg and open it in Ai to use the Roland CutStudio extension.  

Cutting the graphic:

Cutting the graphic:

# Under the Roland Cut Studio extension, view your file in the preview window.

* Under the Roland Cut Studio extension, select your graphic to view it in the RCS preview window.

# After the file looks like intended, click on the "Output to Paths" button in the top right of the extension.

# This will bring up a window in which you select "Cut" when you are ready to cut.

* After the file looks like intended, click on the "Output to Paths" button in the top right of the extension.

# After the cut is finished, the window will reflect this status.  

* This will bring up a window in which you select "Cut" when you are ready to cut.

* After the cut is finished, the window will reflect this status.  

Unloading Material:

Unloading Material:

# Use the directional keys to unspool a small amount of excess material.

# Use the directional keys to unspool a small amount of excess material.