Hi riogirl -
Welcome to the forum! I think I can help answer a lot of your questions. I have done extensive work with print and cut in both programs - one of my designers files (Scrapbook Circus) are all print and cut, and are set up for both MTC and for Inkscape/SignCut. I also had discussed this with some more advanced users from Inkscape developers. Since you are using photoshop and you have used cutting machines before, it sounds like you are more or less familiar with the vector and raster format/properties. I will answer your questions, but try and include a bit of background so you understand the underlying process. Hopefully it isn't too technical! If it is, I tried to put my basic thoughts in summary if that helps.
I also wanted to say that MTC is one version of software that has some basic designing features as well as a cutting interface built into it. With Inkscape/SignCut, Inkscape is the designing software, and is quite advanced for that matter while SignCut is the cutting interface. You would design in inkscape and cut in signcut, but it isn't bad since Inkscape includes its own export menu to signcut (you don't have to go through all the saving of a file and opening it from another program). Just wanted to clear that up.
Print a photo on my printer and then have cougar cut it out. I use photoshop a lot so I would like to print a high quality graphic/photo and then have it cut. I found a vinyl that can be printed with regular inkjet then used for wall art. So I am talking about a high quality jpg that would be printed then cut.
Is signcut hobby better than MTC for this purpose?
As I, and others, mentioned above, SignCut is more of a cutting interface, not the designing interface. For cutting, I think SignCut is better. Your question here though is dealing with designing so I will compare Inkscape to MTC for this matter rather than SignCut.
With any photo, you have your image/document size and your resolution or pixel size, which on a simple level, takes into account the size of the printed final version and the quality of that print. With Photoshop, for example, you could have a 3x3 inch image at 300 dpi (900px by 900 px) or a 3x3 inch image at 72 dpi (216 px by 216 px). When you import an image into MTC, it takes into account both the dpi of the image as well as the image/document size, so there is no resizing involved. When you import and image into Inkscape, version 0.47 only takes into account the dpi of the image and assumes that 1 px of photo resolution is equal to 1 px measurement. It ignores the document size.
So in our example above, if you imported the two pictures, both 3x3 inch - one at 300 dpi and the other at 72 dpi, MTC would display them both as 3x3 inch pictures (though one would be a better resolution), and Inkscape would display one at ~3x3 inch and the other about 3-4 times larger since its dpi was 3-4 times larger. What I am trying to say is that Inkscape ignores the document size when importing a photo.
That being said, you can easily fix it in Inkscape by entering the size you want the photo to be in its property box and the issue is fixed. It maintains its resolution without a problem!
If you are using the same image at the same size, printing between the two programs is identical, and the same printing options are given to you from both programs.
How do I get my registration marks on my printed jpg photo? Does the cougar read registration marks and adjust the cut?
In MTC, there is an option to automatically print registration marks on your image. In Inkscape, you have to place them yourself (or there is a file you can download with them preset). From what I understand, it sounds similar to what you were describing to what you did with the craft robo (though I have never owned one and am just guessing).
The cougar does not read registration marks itself, as does the silouhette with the optical eye. Rather, it has a pinpoint laser that you align to the registration marks using your keyboard and the program adjust the size/angle of the cut based on where the registration marks are located. Once you understand the process, it is more accurate and works on a wider variety of media than do the optical eye cutters. Basically, you print out your paper with the registration marks, put it in your cutter, tell your computer you want to do print and cut/contour cut and where the registration marks are with your keyboard, and it will make all the adjustments regarding where it will cut.
From my experience, I prefer Inkscape when dealing with raster images. Let me explain why. First, it lets you manipulate objects better than MTC currently is able to do, which has saved me a lot of frustration. Second, I find that the node editing tools are more useful/easy to use in Inkscape than in MTC. Third, me having to place the registration marks is not a problem either - I just saved the the registration file as my template file, so every new document I open from Inkscape opens containing the registration marks. Furthermore, because Inkscape allows you to put the registration marks more or less where it is convenient, you have a little more freedom with design placement. You also have the option to get more accurate print and cuts by spacing the registration marks out further, though the difference may be hard to notice if a machine is well calibrated. In summary, Inkscape has better manipulation or raster, node editing tools, and flexibility with registration marks, and increased cutting accuracy (though some would consider this negligible).
Do I have to autotrace in inkscape and then export it to sign cut or MTC for it to cut or do these programs have a trace function?
Both have good tracing features, though I think that MTC's tracing features are the best for the cutting world. It depends what you will be doing with them. If i just need a one color trace, I like inkscape fine. If I want to do several colors (and select which colors they are) or if I want to trace a photo with an alpha layer (gif, png), then I use MTC and copy/paste to inkscape. It is a personal preference. You could get the trial version of MTC and see which one you like better.
Depending on how big your print and cuts/contour cuts would be, make sure you are aware of the size limitation of SignCut hobby edition. It is a little larger than 24 inches in length. MTC is unlimited.
I have used PnC with craftrobo and inkscape but the quality of the photo print going through inkscape was not great but the cut was made accurately. Inkscape did not like the larger files, it print and cut great with small vector graphics but not with photos.
I am concerned about printing a good quality photo in high resolution and then having it cut accurately on a cougar, I have found that between printers, inkscape and different programs, the paper and scale of things get modified.
As I said previously, the quality of the two programs in printing quality is the same, so you can't really go wrong with either one at the moment. I can say that a program locking up will greatly depend on your computer speed. Also, if your computer is locking up with an image in Inkscape, it will most certainly lock up in MTC. MTC is not able to handle the raster files nearly as well as Inkscape. It is getting better, but will be much slower than Inkscape is when dealing with a raster image, hands down. Like I said, with Inkscape, it is easy to change the paper and scale of an object to match it exactly how you want it, so that really isn't a problem. When life calms down a bit and I finish up on the learning center, I hope to start doing more webinars, and I would be happy to show you how to do it in either program if you still have questions.
If I buy a cougar do I need to purchase separate items to be able to cut vinyl? Does it cut vinyl without a mat?
Everything you need to cut vinyl comes with the machine! It is always good to get replacement blades though. And yes, you can cut vinyl without a mat. Here is a 2 foot wide section of a project that I am working on that is 7 or 8 feet long, all cut without a mat (it will be a growth chart). Alternatively, you can use a mat if you wish!
lizard height chart.JPG
Any other tips and hints?
Again, welcome to the forum! I hope I didn't write too much of a book (do I get an award for the longest post??), but I also hope that I helped you understand a little better how the programs work. These machines really are wonderful, and I can't say enough good things about them! In the past, some have complained about the learning curve of the machines. Though it is the same as all heavy duty machines, with the addition of the learning center (which is still being added to with more lessons and videos), hopefully we have gotten rid of the major hurdles that people were facing and it isn't quite so daunting.
Anyways, feel free to always post questions and someone will be along with an answer. If I am available and feel I can add more information, I will be sure to pipe in as well!
Best of luck!
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