Changes

  |Is used in domain=Vinyl

  |Is used in domain=Vinyl

  |Has name={{PAGENAME}}

  |Has name={{PAGENAME}}

  |Has icon=File:Vinyl_cutter_icon.png

  |Has icon=File:Vinyl_cutter_icon.png

  |Has icondesc=Vinyl Cutter Icon

  |Has icondesc=Vinyl Cutter Icon

  |Has description=

  |Has description=

  |Has certification=https://georgefox.instructure.com/courses/1329

  |Has certification=https://georgefox.instructure.com/courses/1329

  |Has ace=Summer Martindale;Makerhub@georgefox.edu

  |Has ace=Daniel Oppenlander;doppenlander18@georgefox.edu

  }}

  }}

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== 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 2017 (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 ==

==== Operation ====

==== Operation ====

Sticker making is the most frequent use of the vinyl cutter but it can be used for other applications as well depending on the type of material being cut. For cutting materials, vinyl rolls can be be found in the cabinet below the computer and loaded onto the material rack at the back of the machine. However, for most projects a small piece will be sufficient and it is recommended that you use the scrap pieces in the bin to the right of the computer as a result. As for other materials, heat transfer vinyl can be used (found in the cabinet to the right of the vinyl printer); further it is possible to cut other vinyl based materials if you find they are compatible with the machine and have them cleared by Justin. Uploaded graphics can be in any format, but .pdf is preferred. This is due to the vector format of .pdf files, and lets them be uploaded directly to Roland Cut Studio. Other formats need to be converted to vector form in Adobe illustrator 2017. The vinyl cutter needs to be loaded and setup before a graphic can be sent to it and cut out. Once cutting has been completed, it also needs to be reset and turned off.  

Sticker making is the most frequent use of the vinyl cutter but it can be used for other applications as well depending on the type of material being cut. For cutting materials, vinyl rolls can be be found in the cabinet below the computer and loaded onto the material rack at the back of the machine. However, for most projects a small piece will be sufficient and it is recommended that you use the scrap pieces in the bin to the right of the computer as a result. As for other materials, heat transfer vinyl can be used (found in the cabinet to the right of the vinyl printer); further it is possible to cut other vinyl based materials if you find they are compatible with the machine and have them cleared by Justin. Uploaded graphics can be in any format, but .pdf is preferred. This is due to the vector format of .pdf files, other formats need to be converted to vector form in Adobe illustrator 2024. The vinyl cutter needs to be loaded and setup before a graphic can be sent to it and cut out. Once cutting has been completed, it also needs to be reset and turned off.  

==== 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 send it to RCS. 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:

# Use Adobe illustrator '''2017''' (Ai).

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

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

# Initialize Roland Cut Studio.

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

## Open Roland Cut Studio separately, then save your file and restart Ai (this only needs to be done if it is your first time using the vinyl cutter).

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

## If it’s not already there, drag the Roland Cut Studio tab over to the toolbars on the right side of the screen from [Window] > [Extensions] > [Roland Cut Studio].

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

## Click the Roland Cut Studio tab on the menu on the right of the screen.

[[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.

# Convert your graphic to a vector if needed. Do this by clicking [Path] > [Trace Bitmap] and then pressing [Okay]. There are several different options in the bitmap menu that you can experiment with to find the best results. Generally, the color option works the best. Finish the process by right clicking and selecting the [ungroup] option so that each piece of the graphic can be edited.

# Convert your graphic to a vector if needed. Do this by clicking [Path] > [Trace Bitmap] and then pressing [Okay]. There are several different options in the bitmap menu that you can experiment with to find the best results. Generally, the color option works the best. Finish the process by right clicking and selecting the [ungroup] option so that each piece of the graphic can be edited.

# Perform any desired edits on your graphic. If there is something you don't know how to do use google; Inkscape is a popular software and there are a lot of internet resources. When the file is exported to Cut studio a cut line will automatically be added around the edge of each object similar adding a stroke around each individual object. This can be an issue if you have several adjacent shapes creating a graphic but you only want to cut around the outside of the objects. To prevent this, select the group of objects you want to cut around and then got to [Path] > [Union]. This will combine the group of objects into one shape with a continuous outline that will be cut out, but the downside is that the new singular object will be one color so if the objects were originally different colors they will be lost. However this does not matter for the Vinyl Cutter because it can only cut one color of vinyl anyway.

# Perform any desired edits on your graphic. If there is something you don't know how to do use google; Inkscape is a popular software and there are a lot of internet resources. When the file is exported to Cut studio a cut line will automatically be added around the edge of each object similar adding a stroke around each individual object. This can be an issue if you have several adjacent shapes creating a graphic but you only want to cut around the outside of the objects. To prevent this, select the group of objects you want to cut around and then got to [Path] > [Union]. This will combine the group of objects into one shape with a continuous outline that will be cut out, but the downside is that the new singular object will be one color so if the objects were originally different colors they will be lost. However this does not matter for the Vinyl Cutter because it can only cut one color of vinyl anyway.

# Send your graphic to Roland Cut Studio by going to [Extensions] > [Roland Cut Studio].

# 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 tab, hit the [Output to Cut Studio] button, this should load the graphic in Roland Cut Studio.

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

# Click [File] > [Cut Setting] > [Change] > [Get From Machine] to size the workspace properly.

[[File:Basketball preview.png|1200px|none]]

# Click [Object] > [Group] > [Group] to merge the cut lines into one group.

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

# Click [Object] > [Weeding] > [Add Border], then add a .25 in. border (this value can be changed if needed), this is done to add a tighter outer boundary to the shape than was maybe in place earlier, and to save material.

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

[[File:Output to Paths Start Cut.png|1200px|none]]

# The origin of the cut, as set earlier, should be in the bottom left corner of the work-space.

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

# Once you’re ready, click [Cutting] > [OK].

[[File:Output to Paths Finish Cut.png|1200px|none]]

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.

== Certification ==

== Certification ==

[https://georgefox.instructure.com/courses/1329 Canvas Quiz]

 

[https://georgefox.instructure.com/enroll/R6RF69 Maker Hub Canvas Course]

== Troubleshooting ==

== Troubleshooting ==