Not Cutting Center Details First

[btrengove]

I am having a blast.. with my new Cougar (he needs a name still)

I just made the cutest little butterfly wings
but SignCut is NOT Cutting Center Details First
and of course as I predicted the cut out paper started moving!

How do I convince it to cut the details in the center of the wings first?

Can set it to 2 different colors and cut them out of the same sheet
Will they register if I start at the same 0x 0y location?

Is there some thing I just do not know about...

— BTW I am working in Illustrator to SignCut

[Angel135612]

If you make the center paths a different color than the outline, then when you send to Signcut, tell it to cut the color of the center details first, then tell it to cut the outer line. The colors boxes on the right side of the screen in Signcut are where you can select what color to cut, or to cut all of them at the same time.

Since the cutter will go back to the origin after each cut, you do not need to change anything on the machine, just select the next color, and tell it to cut... and it should cut perfectly.

[btrengove]

Whooo Hooo
That was just the answer I needed
- I hoped it was that simple!

Now as soon as I am sure my son is actually asleep, I can cut again

Thank You - everyone on this site is amazing!!

[Gigi]

I have had well over ten colors at a time and it's just so wonderful to pick and choose what you need to cut.

The only other thing I wanted to comment on is what you said about your paper moving. Be sure it is on a sticky mat and I highly recommend using a brayer over the cardstock or paper. Even when I know the mat is sticky, the brayer insures that the paper adheres well and won't move. That may also help!

Have fun cutting - can't wait to see what you are creating!

[btrengove]

I use the brayer every time
I also use some artist tape when I use chip board, just in case!

It is probably time to try washing my mat....

[Tyler]

You can also change the z-order and layer order of your project. If I remember right, it cuts from the lowest shapes up.

[btrengove]

@ Tyler where can I find out more about the z-order .
It is cutting in a erratic order. Some here some there, back and forth across the page.
- with the different colors I can at least make it finish all the small stuff before cutting out the outlines.
But it is still not finishing one area before it moves across the page and starts the next...
I have a step and repeat (2 rows - 3 deep of wings)

hmm

[Tyler]

This should explain it.

http://tavmjong.free.fr/INKSCAPE/MANUAL ... Order.html

[btrengove]

Tyler this does not seem to apply to SignCut or Illustrator.
Am I missing something?

But I will try placing them in illustrator in the order I want them to cut
and see if it helps

[Tyler]

Sorry - I thought you were using Inkscape. With illustrator, just use the layers panel which lets you change the order of shapes. It would be easiest to make two shapes and alter the order and see how it affects signcut. You can do the preview without actually cutting so you don't waste paper.

It may be easier to just do the different color thing.

[btrengove]

Preview is my new best friend

Thanks for the info