Re: Silhouette Studio Designer Edition Serial
Nelson Suggs
I am used to the simplicity of the Sihlouette Studio software and currently have the designer edition. Now not knowing much about Vinyl master and licensing at the time, I am kind of scared I may be losing some functionality with having just the cut edition and might need to spend more money to upgrade.
Honestly, this is probably a topic better suited to the VinylMaster section ( Questions and/or discussion about the USCutter edition of VinylMaster software ) -- however, since it's already here, lets go ahead.
2. All of the things you mentioned are indeed available for FREE within the SignBlazerElements (SBE) program. All you would need to do is Export the final design as .eps and then Import to your VM cutting application.
If you actually prefer to design and then cut directly right from within SBE without the additional step of Export/Import, that may or may not be possible, we don't know the answer to that. Once the machine arrives, set it up, connect it, and try communicating with SBE using Copam driver or maybe even CreationPcut or LiYu. You just have to keep trying different models, maybe one of the choices will work right. It would be nice to know what you find out!
Can you export a file in a universal format like EPS or SVG from your old software? If so you can open that up and cut it in the cut version. Not sure if the silhouette studio exports at all or outside of it's native proprietary file format. You can see in the chart what formats VM will import.
Sorry new place and did not think to put in the other area. I really would like to avoid using multiple programs since I had the simplicity in the other program. I also don't want to fight with janky drivers to get this to work on some other program. Id rather pay for software at that point. I do not have time to troubleshoot trial and error drivers.
I just also don't want to have to spend another couple hundred either on top of the $1k I just spent on the new cutter to get the same functionality back. I didnt even think of that when i bought it.
I also don't want to fight with janky drivers to get this to work on some other program. I'd rather pay for software at that point. I do not have time to troubleshoot trial and error drivers.
It doesn't take much time, maybe 5 minutes. You select from a drop-down list in SBE Cutter Setup. If you get lucky, one of the above suggested drivers works right from the get-go. If none of the choices communicate, you didn't lose any money, as SignBlazer is no cost.
In any case, if you re-read what I wrote, I actually suggested that you utilize the features you require in SignBlazer for designing, and Export the finished product for Import to the dedicated software provided by USCUTTER (VinylMaster). Having SignBlazer run your cutter itself is just a BONUS!
Let me repeat --- SignBlazer contains ALL of the items on your list, and then some. ( I had to look up the term "make/release compound paths' and it turns out to be a function in SignBlazer called PunchThrough )
VinylMaster CUT may not do all the things you need, and you can discover yes or no by downloading the DEMO and find out.
You may avoid having to recreate your 200 proprietary Silhouette Studio files, since I believe you can export as .svg and then import for cutting into VM.
Yeah, that has to be done one by one, but it can be accomplished, and you can try that out with the DEMO version.
I would also add that with your prior experience you already have a good idea of the basic mechanics of building a cut file. Learning new software is rarely fun but knowing what you are trying to accomplish you will pick it up a lot faster than some dude who has never done it at all. I use Adobe Illustrator that was a serious PIA to learn, like months of learning and years of later perfecting, when I have to try and get something done in Inkscape, corel or even vinyl master (although it's a lot more intuitive) I struggle because my brain is wired a certain way. You will probably go through that process to some degree. Slice loves SignBlazer and there are many who still use it but as new computer systems come out the likelihood of long term usability becomes more and more a question. Good luck on your endeavor, I have VM Pro that I have been slowly learning in order to be of some use as a moderator. Slowly. It is a really well thought out design and cut program. I don't know what things are missing in the base Cut version but the Pro version is great. (I still like AI best but I'm weird and I use a mac so there's that...)
Years ago, the USCUTTER company shipped every cutter they sold with a copy of SignBlazer. It was the main standard that allowed the USCUTTER company to exist at all. The guy who was behind all that, Jerry Bonham, knew a thing or two about a thing or two regarding cutters, designing, & drivers, and both USCUTTER (Marcel) and he formed a relationship that focused on providing first-time vinyl-cutting users with a way to quickly and easily enter the field.
My first cutter MH was shipped with a SignBlazer CD. I had that cutter up and running within ten minutes of unpacking it from the box. (Not including assembling the stand, which I did after making my first trial cuts). Before running SBE, I had never touched a graphics program, but immediately was able to figure it out. The colorful 'cartoon-y' interface was fun and practical and efficient. That's what Jerry put into our hands -- a way to make money and enjoy doing so as raw newbies.
Anyway, the entire USCUTTER brand has a lot to be proud of, as they've grown over the years. This newest cutter, the Prism, looks great and offers a high-end machine at a fair price point (just wish it was available in the 870mm size). I highly encourage PMPerformance to get back to us here about the reactions to this new unit. We don't have many users providing feedback and reviews, so it would be nice to see that.
I will certainly be adding a Prismcut series to my YouTube channel as I figure it out as I think the Prismcut videos are pretty useless. US Cutter has some great videos, but nothing really Prismcut specific, so this may be a little tougher.
To start with, you should set your blade depth correctly, by taking the blade holder out of the machine, and firmly cut across a piece of scrap vinyl, you will be cutting. You should only be cutting the vinyl and barely a mark on wax paper backing, Adjust blade to get there, Then put the blade holder back in machine, and use the force of the machine to get there, same results, only cutting the vinyl and barely a mark in wax paper backing. You should just barely see and feel your blade tip out of the blade holder.
In this incredibly shocking environment, there is more need than ever for entrepreneurs (and hobbyists) to obtain USCUTTER equipment and move ahead into the realm of custom designs and producing decals with these machines.
So I have found today by accident the Prismcut is just the Skycut machine that is rebranded. I was kind of miffed until I saw the pricing the was same if not more on the Skycut. I was hoping it was not a chicom rebrand at +$500 over the Skycut price. lol
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