Changes

[[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 2025 (Ai): used to prep the graphic 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.

* 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, 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.  

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 2025. 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 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|1200px|none|Ai 2024 Home Page]]

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

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

*Use Adobe illustrator '''2025''' (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|1200px|none]]

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

# 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.

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

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

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

* 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.

* 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]]

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

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

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

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

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

Unloading Material:

Unloading Material: