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Author Topic: Imac/Graphtec CE5000/Illustrator CS - HELP A NEWB  (Read 1452 times)

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notjeep

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Imac/Graphtec CE5000/Illustrator CS - HELP A NEWB
« on: December 09, 2011, 09:01:50 PM »
Ok, I got a plotter a month or so ago, and have been really busy... to busy to spend a few hours at a time trying to get this thing going. Searched for Mac and my plotter on this site, but got no results... thus my question here.

I have a new Imac, and a gently used Graphtec CE-5000 60, and I have Illustrator CS.

I downloaded Cutting Master 2, and SignCut. I think they do the same thing, but Cutting Master 2 appears to be free, and I have to pay a monthly fee to use SignCut.

I loaded the extensions for Cutting Master 2, and it shows up in Illustrator... when I hit Cut/Plot, it brings up a window, I check sizes then hit Send.... then a window opens showing jobs, and I hit Send again in that window... after a minute of the green light blinking on my plotter, I hear it fire up, then immediately shut down, and nothing else happens or comes out.

When I had the trial version on SignCut, I dropped a logo in it and hit send, and it plotted my first decal... albeit in the middle of the vinyl, wastin oodles of material, but it worked.

Does anyone know what I am doing wrong with CM2? Is it a crappy program compared to SignCut? It sure seems like an easier option... if it actually worked. lol   Any help would be appreciated.  NooB out.

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Openco

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Re: Imac/Graphtec CE5000/Illustrator CS - HELP A NEWB
« Reply #1 on: December 10, 2011, 06:36:02 AM »
Me= Imac, Graphtec ce5000-60, Inkscape, SC-Pro... Normally

Okay; First things first: (1) SC-Pro is a great "cutting" software, but so far will just do regular cutting with a Graphtec (they say a new version is coming out soon that may allow work better with the Inkscape/Graphtec combination).  But for regular vinyl cutting you are okay with SC-Pro. So design in Inkscape or Illustrator and Cut with SC.  OR Design with Illustrator and use the PLUG IN Cut Master to cut directly from Illustrator, as CM2 is not a stand alone like SC.

(2) The cutting language is different from CM2 to SC.  One is GPGL and the other is HPGL (it is probably set to this for SC). Here is how to change the language (usually will not accept commands unless it has media loaded): To change the Command option in the plotters menu between HPGL and GPGL- PAUSE, NeXT until you see Command, ENTER, UP/DOWN until you see GPGL, ENTER, ENTER.  after changing to GPGL load media on the plotter, open Illustrator, create a shape, try to cut it, if should work now.

Also: Don't waste material.  Either use paper with a pen loaded, or just pull out the blade until you are satisfied.  It either works or it doesn't (or the LINE OF DEATH!)  Also, if you have the wrong language, it will sometimes just write tiny text down the right side of the media...   :)

Using the CM2 plug in took me a little while to figure out, but it's neat.  You can cut by layers, colors, etc.  There are some great videos from both Illustrator and Graphtec - so check them out at their websites and YouTube - they explain better than I do.  Enjoy!

« Last Edit: December 10, 2011, 06:38:26 AM by Openco »
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MAC, GRAPHTEC CE5000-60, USC 15X15 auto heat press, Illustrator CS with Cutmaster plugin ,Auto sketch, Ink scape, Sign Cut-PRO w/dongle, Epson workforce 1100.

notjeep

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Re: Imac/Graphtec CE5000/Illustrator CS - HELP A NEWB
« Reply #2 on: December 12, 2011, 09:41:32 AM »
THAT was the clues I was missing. The language was indeed set to the other version... gonna test it now! Thanks a bunch!
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notjeep

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Re: Imac/Graphtec CE5000/Illustrator CS - HELP A NEWB
« Reply #3 on: December 12, 2011, 09:46:30 AM »
I've got STICKERS!!!   049.gif
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jfought

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Re: Imac/Graphtec CE5000/Illustrator CS - HELP A NEWB
« Reply #4 on: December 12, 2011, 12:35:40 PM »
congrats!!! makes thing really easy to cut from illustrator!
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!!!We offer Full Color printing!!!
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Openco

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Re: Imac/Graphtec CE5000/Illustrator CS - HELP A NEWB
« Reply #5 on: December 12, 2011, 04:52:21 PM »
Dude - Post 'em for us!   049.gif
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MAC, GRAPHTEC CE5000-60, USC 15X15 auto heat press, Illustrator CS with Cutmaster plugin ,Auto sketch, Ink scape, Sign Cut-PRO w/dongle, Epson workforce 1100.

notjeep

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Re: Imac/Graphtec CE5000/Illustrator CS - HELP A NEWB
« Reply #6 on: December 13, 2011, 09:57:19 AM »
Quote from: Openco on December 12, 2011, 04:52:21 PM
Dude - Post 'em for us!   049.gif

Yeah, that was really easy. Just picked up some vinyl rolls locally, and ordered a applicator tape roller thingy online (could not find one local anywhere!). I will post up a sticker, but its gonna be pretty lame....just a company logo. lol  Let me get a bit more practice before I try something cool. Thanks for all the help!
 :cheers:
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