Cutting Master 2 User Manual

Version 1.82
Contents
Introduction ................................................................................ 1  Outputting Jobs from Cutting Master 2 ...............................19 
Using the Software ............................................................... 1  Saving a Job to a File ...................................................19 
Supported Applications ........................................................ 1  Loading a Saved Job from a File ..................................19 
Installing Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) for Sending Jobs to the Cutter ...........................................20 
CorelDRAW 10 ......................................................... 1  Aborting the Processing of a Job ..................................20 
Installation and Setup ................................................................ 2  Deleting Jobs ................................................................20 
Recommended System Requirements ................................ 2  Contour Cutting Using Cutting Master 2 ...................................21 
Before You Install the Software............................................ 2  Designing a Job for Virtual Hybrid Output...........................21 
Installing the Software (Windows) .................................. 2  Adding Registration Marks to the Print Job.........................21 
Uninstalling the Software (Windows) ............................. 2  Adding Registration Marks Automatically .....................22 
Installing the Software (Macintosh) ................................ 3  Replacing a Rectangle with Registration Marks............23 
Uninstalling the Software (Macintosh) ............................ 3  Removing Registration Marks .......................................23 
Creating an Output Device Setup .................................. 3  Outputting the Printed Parts of the Design .........................23 
Using Preference Manager .................................................. 3  Loading the Printed Media into Your Cutter ........................23 
Saving a Set of Preferences .......................................... 3  Outputting the Contours to Your Cutter ..............................24 
Loading a Set of Preferences ......................................... 3  Index .........................................................................................25 
Restoring the Software to its Original State. .................. 4 
Exiting Preference Manager ........................................... 4 
Creating the Job in the Design Application ................................ 5 
Guidelines for Creating Your Design.................................... 5 
Accessing the Cut/Plot Dialog .............................................. 5 
Entering Numerical Values................................................... 6 
Using Built-In Mathematical Operations ......................... 6 
Automatic Application of Entered Values and
Arithmetic ................................................................. 6 
Setting Job Properties .......................................................... 7 
Setting General Tab Properties ...................................... 7 
Setting Layering Tab Properties ..................................... 8 
Setting Panel Tab Properties ....................................... 10 
Setting Advanced Tab Properties ................................ 14 
Sending Jobs to Cutting Master 2 ...................................... 15 
Outputting Jobs from Cutting Master 2 .................................... 16 
Basic Elements of Cutting Master 2 ................................... 16 
Column Headings ......................................................... 16 
Toolbar ......................................................................... 16 
Setting Application Preferences ......................................... 16 
Creating an Output Device Setup in Cutting Master 2 ....... 17 
Creating Your First Output Device Setup ..................... 17 
Changing the Output Device Setup .............................. 18 
Editing Output Device Settings .................................... 18 
Outputting a Test Cut Job .................................................. 19 
© 2010 Graphtec Corp. ii
Software License Agreement
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© 2010 Graphtec Corp. 1

 registered trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated. FreeHand is a registered
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© 2010 Graphtec Corp. 2

Introduction
Cutting Master 2 is a program that allows you to output directly Installing Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) for
from your design application to a cutter. CorelDRAW 10
It consists of two parts: VBA automatically installs for CorelDRAW 11, 12, X3 , X4 and
• The Cut/Plot plug-in that allows you to set job properties for X5. When you install CorelDRAW 10 through the typical
the cut job from within your design application and sends the installation, VBA does not automatically install. You must install
job to Cutting Master 2. VBA in order to run the Cut/Plot feature of your software.
• The Cutting Master 2 program that receives the job from the If you need to install CorelDRAW and VBA:
Cut/Plot plug-in and outputs it to the cutter. 1. When installing CorelDRAW, select Custom Setup.
Using the Software 2. From the list of components, select Visual Basic for
Applications 6.0 & IE 5.
To send a job to a cutter using Cutting Master 2:
3. Continue with regular installation.
1. Create the job in the design application.
If you need to install VBA only:
2. If desired, add registration marks to your design.
1. Insert the CorelDRAW CD.
3. Open the Cut/Plot dialog.
2. From the Corel Setup Wizard, select Add New
4. Adjust the job properties in the Cut/Plot dialog. Components.
5. Send the job to Cutting Master 2. 3. From the list of components, select Visual Basic for
Applications 6.0 & IE 5.
6. Use Cutting Master 2 to output the job to the cutter.

Supported Applications
On Windows, Cutting Master 2 supports the following design
applications:
• Corel CorelDRAW 10, 11, 12, X3, X4, X5
• Adobe Illustrator 8, 9, 10, CS, CS2, CS3, CS4, CS5
On Macintosh OS X, Cutting Master 2 supports the following
design applications:
• Adobe Illustrator 10, CS, CS2, CS3, CS4, CS5

© 2010 Graphtec Corp. 1

Installation and Setup
Before you begin installing the software, read the hardware 2. Insert the Installation CD.
requirements below. For optimal performance we suggest that
3. Select a language and then click OK.
your system meet the recommended requirements. As with all
computer software, systems with faster processors, more RAM, 4. Select the product and language to be installed and then
and greater amounts of storage space allow you to work with click Next.
larger files and keep your processing time to a minimum. 5. On the Welcome screen, click Next.
Recommended System Requirements 6. Read the Software License Agreement and click Yes to
accept.
Windows Macintosh
7. Select the components of the software that you want to
Processor Pentium III 600 MHz G4,G5,Intel CPU install. You may also change the folder the software will be
RAM 256 MB installed into. Click Next.
Install Space 100 MB 8. Select the Start menu folder where the shortcut for the
software will appear. By default, a new folder will be created
Windows 7,Vista, XP, for the product. Click Next.
Operating System OSX 10.2 or greater
2000
9. Select whether additional shortcuts for the software will be
Video 800x600 resolution monitor with 16 bit color created:
4x CD-ROM or DVD Drive
a. Check Install to desktop to install a shortcut for the
Other Available Port for Output Device software on the desktop.
Internet Connection b. Click Next.
10. Click Next to begin installing the software.
Before You Install the Software 11. If you have Adobe Illustrator installed, you will be prompted
for the location of the Plug-ins folder for each version of
Before you install the software, you should do the following:
Illustrator you have installed.
• Install all of your design applications.
a. If necessary, click Browse and select the folder location.
• Install any additional drivers that are necessary for your 12. Click Yes to clear the preferences.
cutters, such as USB drivers.
13. Select Finish.
• Set your cutter to operate in GPGL mode. See your cutter
documentation for details. Uninstalling the Software (Windows)
Installing the Software (Windows) 1. Exit Cutting Master 2 by selecting Exit from File menu.
To install Cutting Master 2: 2. In the Windows Control Panel, double-click the Add or
Remove Programs icon.
1. Uninstall any previous version of the software.

© 2010 Graphtec Corp. 2

 3. Select Cutting Master 2 from the list and click the Using Preference Manager
Change/Remove button.
4. In the Welcome screen, select Remove and click Next.
5. Click Yes to uninstall the software.
Installing the Software (Macintosh)
Follow these steps to install the software:
1. Insert the Installation CD.
2. Double click the Installer icon.
3. Select a language and then click OK.
Preference Manager is a utility that allows you to save all of the
4. Select the product and language to be installed and then settings in the software to a file, including all output device
click OK. setups and all application preferences.
5. Read the Software License Agreement and click Accept. You cannot load a set of preferences while either the design
6. Click Next. software or Cutting Master 2 is running. You can save
preferences at any time.
7. Select the Install Location and click Install.
Saving a Set of Preferences
 The software installs. Click Stop to halt installation.
To save the current set of preferences to a file:
8. Click Yes to clear the preferences.
1. Run Preference Manager.
9. Click OK.
2. Click Save.
10. Click Quit.
Uninstalling the Software (Macintosh)
1. Exit Cutting Master 2 by selecting Quit from the application
menu.
2. In the Cutting Master folder, double-click Uninstall.
3. Click OK. 3. Type the name for the set of preferences in the field and
click OK.
Creating an Output Device Setup
Loading a Set of Preferences
The first time that you run Cutting Master 2, you will be
prompted to create an output device setup. See “Creating an To reload a previously saved set of preferences:
Output Device Setup in Cutting Master 2” page 16 for details. 1. Exit the software.
2. Run Preference Manager.
3. Select the set of preferences you want to load.

© 2010 Graphtec Corp. 3

 4. Click Load.
Restoring the Software to its Original State.
The default settings for the software are stored in the Factory
Defaults set of preferences. Restoring the software to its default
state may be particularly helpful when troubleshooting any
problems you may encounter with Cutting Master 2.
 Loading this set of preferences will remove the output device setup in Cutting
Master 2.

To clear the preferences stored in your system:

1. Exit the software.
2. Run Preference Manager.
3. Select Factory Defaults.
4. Click Load.
Exiting Preference Manager
To exit Preference Manager, click Exit.

© 2010 Graphtec Corp. 4

Creating the Job in the Design Application
The first step in outputting a job using Cutting Master 2 is to
create the job in your design application.
Accessing the Cut/Plot Dialog
Once you have created your job, the next step is to open the
Guidelines for Creating Your Design Cut/Plot dialog.
When creating a job, remember the following guidelines: To access the Cutting Master 2 Cut/Plot dialog:
• Convert all bitmap graphics into vector objects. Cutting • If you are using Adobe Illustrator, from the File menu, select
Master 2 can only output vector objects. Cutting Master 2 then Cut/Plot.
• Objects cannot have patterned fills, bitmap fills, lens effects, • If you are using CorelDRAW, select Cut/Plot from the Corel
gradients, or other custom fill types. Any objects with these Application Launcher. The Corel Application Launcher is a
fill types will be ignored by Cutting Master 2, and will not list in the standard toolbar that lets you launch other
appear in the Cut/Plot dialog. applications from within CorelDRAW. It uses the following
icons, depending on your version of CorelDraw:
• Use colors or layers to separate objects that you want to
output at different times. You can then use the Layering tab CorelDRAW 10 CorelDRAW 12 & X3
of the Cut/Plot dialog to choose which colors or layers will
CorelDRAW 11 CorelDRAW X4 & X5
be output.
• There is no need to make duplicate copies of your design in
the design application. Cutting Master 2 can easily output
duplicates of any design, and can even place multiple
copies on the same page.
• Don’t worry about objects of the same color that overlap.
The Auto-Weld feature can automatically merge overlapping
objects together.
• If you need to make multiple cutting passes, you can select
the number of passes in the Advanced tab of the Cut/Plot
dialog. There is no need to stack up multiple copies of an
object to force multiple cutting passes.

© 2010 Graphtec Corp. 5

 Entering Numerical Values Simple Arithmetic Operators
If you enter a simple arithmetic expression, the software will
Cutting Master 2 supports a number of unique features that calculate the result of the expression and enter that value in the
make it easier to enter numerical values. field.
Using Built-In Mathematical Operations The available arithmetic operators, in order of precedence, are:
The software is able to perform a number of calculations / Division
whenever a numerical value is being entered.
* Multiplication
Automatic Unit Conversion
+ Addition
If you enter a value using a different unit of measurement than
- Subtraction
the default unit, the software will automatically convert the value
to the default unit. For example, if you enter 1/8, the value 0.125 will be calculated.
For instance, if your default unit is inches, you can enter a value Operator precedence determines the order in which the
of 1 ft, and the software will convert the measurement to 12 in. arithmetic operations will be calculated when more than one
Supported units are: operation is specified. In the previous list, operators are listed
from top to bottom in order of operator precedence. For instance,
in, " inch if you enter 6/2*3, the software will calculate 6/2 first then
ft, ' foot multiply the result by 3, yielding a result of 9.

mm millimeter Automatic Application of Entered Values and

cm centimeter
Arithmetic
m meter Once you enter a numerical value, ratio, or arithmetic
expression in a numerical field, the software will automatically
pt point apply that value after a brief delay.
Calculation of Ratios
If you enter a ratio in the format A:B, the software will scale the
previous value in the field by the ratio entered.
For instance, if a value is set to 12, and you enter 2:3, the new
value will be 8.
Calculation of Percentages
If you enter a percentage in the format X%, the software will
scale the previous value in the field by the percentage entered.
For instance, if a value is set to 10, and you enter 90%, the new
value will be 9.

© 2010 Graphtec Corp. 6

 Setting Job Properties Setting General Tab Properties
The following controls are available on all tabs of the Cut/Plot The General tab allows you to specify the size of media, size of
dialog: the job and the location of your output on the media.
Properties Click to adjust the setup properties. See “Editing Output
Device Settings” page 18 for details.
Click to start Cutting Master 2.

Click to select the Select tool. (This tool is selected by

default most of the time)
Click to select the Zoom tool. Click and drag in the job
preview pane to select an area of the design to zoom in on.
For Windows, hold the CTRL key and click to zoom out. For
Macintosh, hold the Option key and click to zoom out.
Click to select Zoom to Width. The preview pane will
automatically zoom in or out so that the entire width of the
media is displayed.
Click to select Zoom to All Objects. The preview window
will zoom in or out so that all of the objects in the design are
displayed.
Reset Click to return job properties to their default settings.
Send Send the job to Cutting Master 2 with the current settings.
Done Close the Cut/Plot dialog and return to the design
application. The following settings are available:
Media The size of the media loaded into your output device. Select
Size from one of the preset sizes, or specify unique dimensions
below.
Poll Size: polls the size of the media loaded in the cutter.
This feature only works if the device and port support bi-
directional communications.
The width and height of the media. When a set of
unique dimensions is specified, it is automatically
added to the list of preset sizes.
Job Size Choosing one of these options allows you change the output
size and orientation of the page.
The job's width and height.
The job's width and height as a percentage
of the original.

© 2010 Graphtec Corp. 7

 Fit to Media Scales the job proportionally so that it is as Use If not checked, left bottom point of the bounding box of
large as possible while still fitting within the document selected objects becomes origin of plotter. If checked,
cuttable area of the output media. origin document origin of Illustrator or CorelDRAW becomes origin
of plotter. Positions of objects from document origin are kept
Proportional When this option is selected, the height and
positions from the plotter origin.
width of the job are increased or decreased
together to keep the original proportions Note: Document origin of Illustrator or CorelDRAW is the
intact. point (0,0) of the ruler.

Position These settings change the position of the job on the media. Setting Layering Tab Properties
The distance between the job and the right and
The layering tab allows you to assign different cutting
bottom margins of the cuttable area. You can
also change these settings by dragging the job parameters to different color or layers in your cutting job. You
across the page in the preview pane. can cut one color slower than another color, for instance.
Interactive: moves the cutter as you change
the position of the job on the preview area.
Show me: draws a bounding box of the job
without lowering the tool.
Places the job at the specified distances from
the lower and right edges of the cuttable area of
the output media.
Centers the job along the width of the cuttable
area.
Centers the job in the middle of the cuttable
area. Only available for sheet material.
Rotates the image on the media in 90-degree
increments. Click the button until you achieve
the desired orientation.
Flips the selected image on the vertical axis, so
that your image will be mirrored when output.
The number of copies to be output.
The amount of space that will exist between the various tiles
and/or copies that will be output as part of the job.
The following settings are available:
Selection Output only the selected objects, not the entire design. This
Only option is enabled if you had objects selected when you
opened the dialog.
Hold in If checked, the job will be held in the Cutting Master 2 queue
list instead of being automatically output. The job must be
output manually from Cutting Master 2. See “Outputting Jobs
from Cutting Master 2” page 19 for details.

© 2010 Graphtec Corp. 8

 By color/ Orders your output by color, or by layer. “Layer” refers to Speed Speed at which the cutting head or pen moves
By layer layers in the design application, not overlapping layers of across the media.
vinyl. Set to 0 to use the setting on the cutter.
• If you choose By color, all objects with the same color will
Force The amount of downwards force applied to the
be cut at the same time, unless Pause between
cutting head or pen.
colors/layers is checked. If you have overlapping objects
of the same color, you will get overlapping contour cuts. Set to 0 to use the setting on the cutter.
• If you chose By layer, the job will be cut one layer at a Quality The Quality setting really controls the maximum
time. All objects in each layer will be cut at once, unless acceleration of the cutting head or pen. Lower
Pause between colors/layers is checked. If you have settings produce higher quality, at the cost of
overlapping objects in a layer, you will get overlapping increased cutting time.
contour cuts. Set to 0 to use the setting on the cutter.
Pause If checked, output will be paused between colors or layers. Line Type Select the line type.
between This allows you to load different colored vinyl into your
The following line types are provided as
colors/ cutter.
standard:
layers If cleared, the job will be sent as a single layer. The Single
setting for all option will automatically be checked, and
identical driver options will be used for the entire job. If
weedlines are enabled, there will only be a single set of
weedlines for the entire job.
Enable Check to set the following options in the software. If this
driver option is not checked, the settings on the output device will
You can also edit three custom line types. See
options be used instead.
“Editing Custom Line Types” page 10 for
Settings can be set individually for each color or layer by details.
selecting the color or layer in the list then setting the options
below (but see Single setting for all). Pitch The length it takes for the line pattern to repeat
Size when a line type other than solid is selected.
Single If this option is checked, identical driver options
setting will be used for all colors or layers. Passes Defines the number of times that the blade will
for all cut the same path. Set this option if you are
If Pause between colors/layers is not
using thick or hard media that can’t be cut in a
checked, Single setting for all is automatically
single pass.
checked, and may not be cleared. This is
because the job is automatically sent as a Plotter If checked, Cutting Master 2 will send the current job to the
single layer when Pause between Controller Graphtec Plotter Controller application for output when the
colors/layers is not checked. Send button is clicked. This option is only enabled if the
setup is for a device that is supported by the Plotter
Preset Driver option presets allow you to save all of
Controller application. The device setup must use a USB
the driver options for a common type of job and
connection. If Plotter Controller is not installed, this option
reapply them in a single step. See “Working
will be disabled. See the Plotter Controller documentation for
with Driver Option Presets” below, for details.
details on outputting jobs from that application.
Condition The cutter condition number. Numbers range When this option is checked, the following fields in the
from 1 to 8. See the documentation for your cut/plot dialog will be disabled:
cutter for details on which numbers are valid.
• Job width
• Job height

© 2010 Graphtec Corp. 9

 • Percent width 2. Select the Rename command from the Preset list.
• Percent height
3. Type in the new name and press OK.
• Fit to media
Deleting a Preset
• Proportional
• Copies To delete a preset:
• Copy spacing 1. Select the preset you want to delete from the Preset list.
• Use registration marks
2. Select the Delete command from the Preset list.
• Hold in list
• After output
In addition, the Rotation control will be limited to the 0 and
90 degrees counterclockwise settings.

Working with Driver Option Presets

3. Click Yes.
Driver option presets allow you to save all of the driver options
for a common type of job and reapply them in a single step. Editing Custom Line Types
Creating Presets To edit the custom line types:
To save the current driver options as a new preset: 1. Select Edit from the Line Type list.
1. From the Preset list, select Save as.

2. Enter a name for the new preset.

3. Click OK. 2. Specify the three custom line types by listing the lengths of
the line segments and spaces that make up the line:
Updating Presets
To update the currently selected preset with the currently a The length of the first segment in the line.
selected driver options, from the Preset list, select Save. b The length of the space between line segments.
Applying a Preset c The length of the second and third line segments, if any. Custom
1 is made up of one repeating line segment, while Custom 2 has
To apply the driver options saved in a preset to the current job, two segments that repeat in a pattern, and Custom 3 has three.
select the preset from the Preset list.
3. Click OK.
Renaming a Preset
To rename a preset:
Setting Panel Tab Properties
The Panel tab allows you to split a job up into a number of
1. Select the preset you want to rename from the Preset list.
© 2010 Graphtec Corp. 10
 smaller tiles that are then output separately. All Tiles These settings apply to all tiles and help you quickly set up
automatic tiles, of equal size.
Selecting this option divides the job vertically into the
number of columns specified. Each column will be of
equal width.
Selecting this option divides the job into the number
of rows specified. All rows will be of equal height.
If you know that you want tiles of a certain size, enter
the values for the width and height of the tiles here.
All tiles will be changed to the specified size.
Overlap Specifies the amount of overlap between rows and columns.
By overlapping, you can eliminate any gaps between the tiles
when assembling the final output. Overlap is measured as the
total amount two rows or columns overlap.
Check to create an overlap on the
vertical edges of tiles.
Check to create an overlap on the top
and bottom edges of tiles.
The width of the overlap. Enter a
The following settings are available: negative number to create an offset
between tiles.
Panel The panel is the part of the job that will be split up into tiles and Locks the columns so
Size output by the software. If the panel is reduced in size so that it that the tiles on a
does not cover the entire job, only the parts covered by the same column can be
panel will be output. adjusted as a group.
Shows the width and height of the panel. To adjust,
enter a number or use the arrows.
The size of the margin. The margin is the part of the
panel that extends outside of the boundaries of the
job.
Selected Selects which tile’s width and height are displayed in the fields
Tile below.
Selects a tile to be edited. The selected tile is
highlighted in the preview pane.
Shows the width and height of the selected tile. To
adjust, enter a number or use the arrows.
Output If checked, the selected tile will be output with the rest
of the job. If cleared, the tile is marked with a mesh
overlay in the preview pane, and will not be output.

© 2010 Graphtec Corp. 11

 Locks the rows, so For instance, to divide a 30x25 job into two vertical tiles, set the
that the tiles on a field to 15, reducing the size of the first tile to 15x25. A
same row can be second 15x25 tile will automatically be created.
adjusted as a group.
Dividing a Job into Uniform Rows and Columns of Tiles
To divide the job into a specified number of uniform rows and
columns of tiles:
1. Check or to tile the job vertically or horizontally.
2. Enter the number of columns of tiles in the field.
3. Enter the number of rows of tiles in the field.
Locks both columns
and rows, so that the 4. Set the amount of overlap between the tiles in the field.
entire columns or
rows can be adjusted
as a group.

Auto-tile: A tile will automatically be created that includes all

selected objects. If no objects are selected, all of the objects in
the design will be included. If the design is too large to fit on Dividing a Job into Uniform Tiles of a Specified Size
the selected media, it will automatically be tiled so that each
tile is the maximum possible size. Auto-tile does not attempt to To divide the job into uniform tiles of a specified size:
tile the entire page, just the design or the selected objects.
1. Check and to set all tiles in the job to be of the
Tile to Border: The entire design page is automatically tiled. If specified size.
the page is too large to fit on the selected media, it will be tiled
so that each tile is the maximum possible size. 2. Set the and fields to the width and height desired for
the tiles.
Dividing a Job Into Tiles
3. Set the amount of overlap between the tiles in the field.
The job starts as a single large tile that covers the entire job.
This tile is selected by default.
To divide the job into multiple tiles, reduce the width and/or
height of the first tile using the and fields in the Selected
Tile section. New tiles will automatically be created to cover the
exposed areas of the job.

© 2010 Graphtec Corp. 12

 If you drag the edges of the panel over so that part of the job is
exposed, a new tile will be created to cover the exposed area of
the job. The exception to this is if you resize the panel using the
cropping handles (see “Cropping a Job” page 14 for details).

 If the specified tiles do not cover the job evenly, the tiles at the top and right edges will be
made small enough to fit in the gap.

Selecting a Tile
To select a tile, either click on the tile in the preview pane, or Click and drag the edge of the panel to add another tile.
select the tile using the field in the Selected Tile section of
the Tile tab. Preventing Tiles from Being Output
Editing Tiles To disable a tile and prevent it from being output with the rest of
the job, do one of the following:
To edit the size of the selected tile, change the values in the
and fields. • Double-click on the tile in the preview pane.

You can also resize tiles by dragging their edges in the Preview • Right-click on the tile in the preview pane.
Pane. Disabled tiles are marked with a hash pattern.

Disabled tile

Click and drag to resize

To make a disabled tile able to be output again, double-click or
 If any of the All Tiles checkboxes are checked, the and fields may be
right-click the disabled tile a second time.
disabled. In this case, the fields have been overridden in order to keep all tiles
uniform. The tiles will not be editable using the Preview Pane either.
One tile in each job must always be enabled. If you try to
disable all of the tiles, one of the other tiles will become enabled
again.

© 2010 Graphtec Corp. 13

 Cropping a Job
To crop out part of a job so that it
will not be output:
1. Open the Job Properties
dialog for the job.
2. Select the Tiling Preview view
of the job.
3. Drag the red cropping
handles so that the unwanted
parts of the job are cropped
out.
Cropping Handles
Cropped-out areas of the job will
not be output.

The following settings are available:

Advance Advances the media after the job has been output and
after plot resets the origin.
Cross cut If checked, after a job has been cut, the cutter will slice
across the output media above the job, separating it from
the rest of the media still in the cutter.
Dragging cropping handle
For a multi-page job, the cutter will do a cross-cut after
Cropped-out area each page in the job.
You can also crop a job by reducing the panel size using the ,  This option is only enabled for cutters that support the feature.
and fields in the Panel Size section of the Tile tab. Additional Advances the media an additional amount after the job
advance has been output.
Removing All Tiling and Cropping
Weed Border Cuts a border with the specified Panel margin around all
To remove all tiling and cropping and make the job one piece objects in the selected color and layer.
again, click on the Reset button.
 If the job is bigger than the media, it will still be tiled to fit the media.
The weed border is always a solid line, regardless of any
Setting Advanced Tab Properties settings in the Layering tab.
The Advanced tab allows you to set several options specific to Panel Margin The panel margin used for the weed border.
cutting jobs.

© 2010 Graphtec Corp. 14

 Horizontal Adds weedlines between lines of text (or objects). Use Can be used to align a contour cut with the printed
weed lines Registration output.
Marks
X and Y Sets the number of copies to add along
Weedlines are always solid lines, regardless of the line copies the X or Y axis.
settings in the Layering tab.
Spacing Sets the distance between copies.
Vertical weed Adds weedlines between characters (or objects).
lines X and Y Compensates for the offset of the cutting
offset position that can occur when cutting thick
media.
Weedlines are always solid lines, regardless of the line
settings in the Layering tab. Sending Jobs to Cutting Master 2
Optimize Select the order in which objects in the design will be To send the current job to Cutting Master 2 for output, click the
cutting order cut:
Send button in the Cut/Plot dialog. To exit the Cut/Plot dialog,
None The objects are cut or plot in the order click Done.
they were created.
Once sent to Cutting Master 2, the job will immediately be
Speed The objects will be cut in an order that
output, unless the Hold in List option on the General tab of the
Priority maximizes cutting speed.
Cut/Plot dialog is checked. If Hold in List is checked, the job
Restrict The objects will be cut in an order than must be output manually. See “Outputting Jobs from Cutting
Media minimizes the amount that the media has Master 2” page 19 for details.
Movement to move.
Auto-weld Removes overlapping areas of objects that have the Once output, the job will either be deleted, or held in the queue,
same color. depending on the After Output setting in the Advanced tab of
the Cut/Plot dialog. See “Setting Advanced Tab Properties”
Convert Selects whether the strokes will be cut separately as an
strokes to object.
page 14 for details.
outlines
Cut page When split up the output to a number of pages, indicate
crossing cut or not the page crossings. If not checked, doesn't cut
the page crossing. If checked, cut the page crossing.
If not checked If checked

Units Specifies the units that will be used for measurements.

After output Sets what will be done with the file after it is output.
Select either Delete or Hold.
Step size The number of steps per unit length currently set on your
cutter.

© 2010 Graphtec Corp. 15

Outputting Jobs from Cutting Master 2
Basic Elements of Cutting Master 2 Abort Stops selected file from being output.

The following are the basic elements of Cutting Master 2:

Delete Deletes the selected job or jobs.

Toolbar
Setting Application Preferences
To set application preferences, from the Edit menu select
Preferences.
Job
Area

Column Headings
Note the column headings in the job area:
Job Name The file name of the job.
Status The current status of the job.
Copies The number of copies to be output.
File Type The type of job.
Color The color specified for the material. If multiple colors are
specified, this field will read Multiple. The following settings are available:

Toolbar Units The units of measurement displayed.

Precision The degree of precision to use with measurements.
A toolbar is located at the top of the main window. It contains
tools for the most commonly used functions.
To show or hide a toolbar, select Toolbar from the View menu.
The toolbar functions are:
Add Job Adds a job to the selected output device.
Save As Saves the selected job to a file.

Send Job Sends the selected job to the output device.

© 2010 Graphtec Corp. 16

 Creating an Output Device Setup in Cutting Master
2
The output device setup provides the link between the software
and your output device. It contains the following information:
• The type of output device being used.
• The method used to communicate with the device.
Creating Your First Output Device Setup
When you start the software for the first time, you are prompted
to create your first output device setup:

3. Edit the Setup name of the device.

4. Click Next.

1. Select the Manufacturer and Model Name of the output

device from the list.
2. Click Next.

5. Select the Port the output device uses for communication. If

necessary, edit the communications settings for the chosen
port.
6. Click Finish.

© 2010 Graphtec Corp. 17

 Changing the Output Device Setup Communication Tab

The software allows only one output device setup to be in use at The Settings section of this
any given time. Creating a new setup will eliminate the existing tab changes depending on
one. the port used to connect to
the output device.
To change the output device setup, from the Setup menu, Ports are listed in order of
select Change Setup. popularity for each device.
The steps to create the new setup are the same as the ones for Only the ports that are
usable by the output device
the original setup. are listed.
Editing Output Device Settings The standard port for the
device is selected by
To edit the properties associated with the output device setup, default. Some of the port
from the Setup menu, select Setup Properties. settings may still need to be
entered or edited, however.
Job Workflow Tab

The Job Workflow tab

displays information about
the output device.

Port Select the port to which the cutter is connected. The port list is
limited to the ports that are actually present on your computer
and usable with your output device.
LPT Parallel port is the most common method to
connect cutters to the computer. The following
settings are available:
Transmission The size of the transmission
buffer buffer in bytes
Check port If checked, the software will send
state before a data packet to the cutter to test
sending if the cutter is connected before
beginning to cut the job.
Use Whenever possible, the software uses
standard a custom LPT driver to increase the
LPT performance of the LPT port.
Setup name Name of the setup. driver If checked, the software will use the
standard Windows LPT driver instead.
Performance will be diminished, but
reliability may be enhanced.
The following settings are enabled
when the custom driver is in use:

© 2010 Graphtec Corp. 18

 Mode Use ECP (Enhanced To output a test cut job, from the Setup menu, select Test Cut.
Capabilities Mode) for the
fastest possible Outputting Jobs from Cutting Master 2
transmission speed. EPP
(Enhanced Parallel Port) is If the Hold in list box in the General tab of the Cut/Plot dialog is
not as fast, but may be not checked, jobs that are sent to Cutting Master 2 will be output
more compatible.
automatically as soon as they are received.
ECP Using DMA with ECP can
uses increase the maximum bit If Hold in list is checked, the job will stay in the queue until you
DMA rate from 2 mbps to 4 mbps. output it manually.
Yield if If checked, the software will Saving a Job to a File
device release the extra system
is resources used by the To save a job to a .PLT file, do one of the following:
busy custom driver while the
output device is busy. This • Select the job and from the File menu, select Save As.
may aid overall • Select the job, then click on the Save As button in the
performance.
toolbar.
USB USB drivers are provided with output devices that
support them. Please make sure the proper drivers • Right-click the job and select Save As from the context
are installed when using these ports. menu.
COM Serial communications port. This port is only Loading a Saved Job from a File
supported by cutters.
In addition to the standard serial port controls for To load a previously-saved job from a file:
bits per second, data bits, parity, stop bits and 1. From the File menu, select Add Job.
hardware/software flow control, there are
checkboxes which enable/disable the following
wires:
DTR Data Terminal Ready
DSR Data Set Ready
RTS Request To Send
CTS Clear To Send
DCD Data Carrier Detect
TCP/IP Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol

Outputting a Test Cut Job

The software allows you to output test cutting jobs to
appropriate output devices, to make sure everything is 2. Select the file to be added.
functioning properly.

© 2010 Graphtec Corp. 19

 3. If you want to copy the file to the local job folder, check Deleting Jobs
Copy to job folder.
To delete a job, do one of the following:
 If the job is on removable media or a network drive, copying it to a local folder
will allow you to process the job after removing the media or disconnecting • Select the job and press the Delete or Backspace key on
from the network. your keyboard.
4. Click Add. • Select the job and from the Edit menu, select Delete.
Sending Jobs to the Cutter • Select the job, then click on the Delete button in the toolbar.
To send a job to the cutter, do one of the following: • Right-click the job, then select Delete from the context menu.
• Select the job and from the File menu, select Send.
• Select the job, then click on the Send button in the toolbar.
• Right-click the job and select Send from the context menu.
Cutting a Job on a Cutter with Automatic Alignment
To cut a job on an automatically aligned cutter:

1. Align the cutting head over the first automatic registration

mark (lower right if not marked) using the controls on the
front panel of the cutter.
2. Click OK to cut the contour.
Aborting the Processing of a Job
To abort the processing of a job while it is being cut, do one of
the following:
• Select the job and from the File menu, select Abort.
• Select the job, then click on the Abort button in the toolbar.
• Right-click the job, then select Abort from the context menu.
If a job is aborted while being output, its status freezes at 0%.

© 2010 Graphtec Corp. 20

Contour Cutting Using Cutting Master 2
Cutting Master 2 allows you to use a cutter to cut a contour on
printed output generated on a separate printer. This produces
Adding Registration Marks to the Print Job
output similar to that of a hybrid printer/cutter device. The Cutting Master 2 plug-in allows you to add registration
In order to cut a contour on a printed job, you need to do the marks to your design. These registration marks can then be
following: used to align a contour cut with the printed output.
1. Create the design for the job in your design application. The registration marks are added in their own separate, locked
layer of the design.
2. Add registration marks that will allow Cutting Master 2 to
align the cut contour with the printed job.
3. Output the printed parts of your design.
4. Load the printed media into your cutter.
5. Output the contour part of your design on your cutter.

Designing a Job for Virtual Hybrid Output

When designing a job for virtual hybrid output, the most  Do not change the name assigned to the layer containing the registration marks.
important thing is that you should be able to separate the The registration marks must be printed out in order to be used
printed parts of the job from the cut parts of the job. for automatic alignment of a contour cut. The marks themselves
This can be done in two ways: will not be contour cut.
• By placing printed and cut elements on separate layers and There are two ways to add registration marks to a design:
then hiding the layers you do not want to output. • Adding registration marks automatically.
• By manually selecting the elements you want to print or cut, • Adding a rectangle to the design and replacing it with
and then printing or cutting only the selected elements. registration marks.
Of these two methods, we recommend using separate layers to  If the design is changed or resized after the registration marks are added, you will
isolate printed and cut elements, as this works much better with need to remove the registration marks and add them again in order to properly
complex designs. indicate the new size of the job. Registration marks do not automatically update
when a job is edited or resized.

© 2010 Graphtec Corp. 21

 Adding Registration Marks Automatically Graphtec Type 1 Automatic
If no object is selected, Cutting Master 2 will automatically add
registration marks around your design. Graphtec Type 2 Automatic

To add registration marks to your design: Graphtec Segment Area Type 1

1. Open your job in the design application.
Graphtec Segment Area Type 2
2. Access the Registration Marks dialog using one of the
following methods:
 Graphtec Segment Area Type 1 and Graphtec Segment Area Type 2
• In Adobe Illustrator, from the File menu, select Cutting marks are for CE5000 and FC7000 cutters only.
Master 2 then Registration marks. 4. Set the following options:
• In CorelDRAW, select Registration Marks from the Units The unit of measurement.
Corel Application Launcher. The Corel Application
Launcher is a list in the standard toolbar that lets you Margin The distance between the registration marks and
launch other applications from within CorelDRAW. It the job.
uses the following icons, depending on your version of Thickness The thickness of the line that makes up the
CorelDraw: registration marks.

CorelDRAW 10 CorelDRAW 12& X3 Length The size of the registration marks, measured
along one side.
CorelDRAW 11 CorelDRAW X4&X5
Step For the segment area type marks, the maximum
distance between segment marks.
Direction If checked, Segment Area type marks will be
rotated 90 degrees
Convert If checked, the registration marks will be placed
Rectangle around the border of the selected rectangle. The
rectangle will then be deleted, leaving only the
registration marks.
Align document If checked, left bottom point of the registration
origin with marks becomes (0,0) point of ruler of Illustrator or
registration CorelDRAW. If add the registration marks without
marks check this check box, move the (0,0) point of ruler
to left bottom point of the registration marks
before send the job to cutter.
Total size The dimensions of the area covered by both the
job and the registration marks together.
3. Select the desired registration mark from the topmost list.
5. Click OK.
None

© 2010 Graphtec Corp. 22

 Replacing a Rectangle with Registration Marks Outputting the Printed Parts of the Design
If a rectangle is created in the design application, and is
To output the printed parts of the design:
selected when the Registration Marks dialog is opened, Cutting
Master 2 can use it as a bounding box for the registration marks. 1. Hide the layer or layers which contain the contour cuts.
The registration marks will be placed on the border of the
2. Make sure the layer or layers which contain the printed part
rectangle, and then the rectangle will be deleted, leaving only
of the design are visible.
the registration marks.
3. Use the standard printing function of the design application
to send the job to your printer.

Loading the Printed Media into Your Cutter

Once the printed parts of the job have been output, allow the ink
to dry (if necessary), then remove the media from the printer
and load it into your cutter.
Be sure to orient the printed media so that the registration
To replace a rectangle with registration marks: marks are not upside down, as this can cause problems.
1. Open your job in the design application.
2. Draw the rectangle that you want to use as a bounding box.
3. Access the Registration Marks dialog (see previous
instructions).
4. Make sure the Convert Rectangle option is checked.
5. Set any other desired options (see previous instructions).
6. Click OK.
Removing Registration Marks
To remove the registration marks, do one of the following:
• Repeat the procedure used to add the marks, but select
None.
• Unlock and delete the layer that contains the registration
marks.

Flatbed Type

© 2010 Graphtec Corp. 23

 Outputting the Contours to Your Cutter
To output the contour cut part of your design:
1. Hide the layer or layers that contain the printed part of your
design.
2. Make sure the layer or layers that contain the contour cuts
are visible.
3. Use the Cut/Plot dialog to send the output to Cutting Master
2.
4. Send the cut job to the cutter from Cutting Master 2, if
necessary.

Paper Moving Type

Load the media into the cutter then position the head over the
registration mark located at the bottom right corner when facing
the cutter.

© 2010 Graphtec Corp. 24

Index
aborting output ............... 16, 20 jobs percent calculation ................. 6 size of media ......................... 7
arithmetic operations ............. 6 aborting ............................ 20 Plotter Controller .................... 9 size of panel ........................ 11
automatic calculation ............. 6 adding .............................. 16 ports ..................................... 18 specifying degree of
automatic percent cropping ........................... 14 positioning jobs ...................... 8 precision ........................ 16
calculation ........................ 6 deleting ............................ 16 Preference Manager .............. 3 system requirements ............. 2
automatic ratio calculation ..... 6 fitting to media .................... 8 presets tiling ..................................... 11
automatic unit conversion ...... 6 outputting ......................... 16 deleting ............................. 10 editing tiles....................... 13
blocking output of tiles ......... 13 positioning .......................... 8 editing ............................... 10 preventing output of tiles . 13
calculating percentages ......... 6 rotating ............................... 8 renaming .......................... 10 removing .......................... 14
calculating ratios .................... 6 saving to file ..................... 16 preventing output of tiles ...... 13 selecting a tile .................. 13
calculation in place ................ 6 setting job size ................... 7 queues uniform tiling .................... 12
communication..................... 18 tiling .................................. 11 column headings .............. 16 toolbars ................................ 16
converting units...................... 6 media size .............................. 7 ratio calculation ...................... 6 trimming jobs ....................... 14
cropping jobs ....................... 14 mirroring ................................. 8 removing tiling ...................... 14 uniform tiling ........................ 12
degree of precision .............. 16 number of copies ................... 8 rotating jobs ............................ 8 unit conversion ...................... 6
deleting jobs......................... 16 operator precedence .............. 6 separation between jobs ........ 8 units of measurement .......... 16
entering numerical values ...... 6 panel size ............................. 11 serial port settings ................ 19 using the software ................. 1
flip horizontal.......................... 8 parallel port settings ............. 18 size of jobs ............................. 7

© 2010 Graphtec Corp. 25