Deeper outline cut around actual pattern

[caimakale]

I'm using heat transfer vinyl and am having great success cutting the pattern in to the vinyl without cutting through the plastic transfer layer. The thing that sucks, is that I am cutting multiple copies of the exact same pattern so I have them crammed on a 12x24 cutting mat. This isn't much of a problem until I'm done cutting the pattern. I have to break out the scissors to manually cut each pattern so I can apply them to shirts.

I'm wondering if there is a setting/way to add an outline around each pattern, and have eCAL cut this outline a bit deeper so that it will release the entire pattern w/transfer film from the rest of the vinyl on the cutting mat. Does this make sense?

[jrichards]

You would have to cut twice but it can be done. Make a shadow layer for each of the objects and then remove it from the mat for the first cut using the layer bar, cut your design as usual and then remove the design from the mat the same way and cut the shadow layer. Just be sure to increase the force for the second cut. It may take a little longer but you can be doing other things while it is doing the cutting. ( I would take one design and make the shadow layer, select all, and then do "duplicate" under the "Object" bar. If your object is not in straight lines you will have to group each layer so that you can easily turn it on and off. ie.,put all of the designs on the mat, select all and group, then do the same for the shadow layer. Then you only have to turn off one layer at a time on the layer bar. You do this by turning off the "eye" that represents each layer.) Hope that helps.
Jan

[caimakale]

I missed that effect but it's exactly what I needed. And the second layer w/ more pressure makes perfect sense. Not a big deal to have to wait while it cuts it, it just means I can start weeding other layers and prepping shirts. It also means I can squeeze more patterns on to the same mat since I don't have to leave room for scissors and mistakes I might make when cutting them.

Thanks!!!

[jrichards]

Glad that worked for you, and you are right, I just find other things to do while it is cutting!