VinylCut 5 — cut settings & connection concepts (no first cutter named)
Software concepts only. Eric skipped choosing a first practice cutter — learn the dialog and vocabulary now; bind to a model later.
Sources: vinylcut.co.za/cutting cut-settings mini-series · updating VinylCut 5 install/setup · softwaretraining connection / overview videos.
How to open cut settings
- Toolbar icon that looks like a cutter / blade on paper, or
- Menu Cutter → Cut with → listed model / connection profile.
Dialog tabs (overview Part 1): General, Layers, Cut by colour, Tiles, Extras (plus related cut-mode / orientation parts in the series).
Connection concepts (Part 2)
Independent of which AM machine you eventually pick:
| Concept | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Model | Which cutter profile is selected — options change with model (ports, features). |
| Connection type | Common: USB, serial/COM, and on some models TCP/IP (network / Wi-Fi capable machines). |
| Port | Specific COM / USB serial device; Auto Detect is fine for first tests when hardware exists. |
| Refresh | Rescan ports if the machine was plugged in after opening the dialog. |
| Test connection | Moves roller/blade a short distance — verifies PC↔software↔cutter link without cutting the job. |
| Model Settings | Advanced (size calibration, baud, registration mark size/thickness, job distance / jog increments). Prefer leave defaults until a manual or tech says otherwise; Set to default recovers mistakes. |
AM plug-and-cut pattern (when a machine is present)
From AM install guidance (no separate Windows printer driver for most modern setups):
- USB-connect cutter → power on → launch VinylCut.
- Cutter settings → pick connection family appropriate to that machine line → Auto Detect → Test Connection.
- If unsure, leave Auto Detect and try connection options one-by-one with Test until the machine responds.
- Reboot PC if no device appears right after install.
Do not invent a first model here — wait for Eric.
Cut mode / fancy options (Part 3)
Learn vocabulary: cut selection only, flip, isolate selection, other mode toggles shown for the active profile. Exact labels follow the on-screen dialog.
Cutting & drawing presets (Part 4)
- Some devices cut and draw (pen carriage) — presets cover both.
- Save shop presets once Eric defines safe defaults; until then treat presets as read-only experiments on Monitor-PC.
Cut by colour
| Mode | Idea |
|---|---|
| Single job (Part 5) | One send; colour handling inside one job. |
| Separate jobs (Part 6) | One colour at a time — typical multi-vinyl colour stacks. |
Design colours on the mat drive which paths go in which pass.
Tiles (Part 7)
Split oversized artwork into tiles that fit media width / length. Preview orientation in the cut dialog before sending.
Extras / duplicate / order / layers
- Part 8 — duplicate / extra cut options for shapes.
- Part 9 — cut order (what cuts when).
- Part 10 — Layers tab inside cut settings (which layers participate).
- Part 11 — cut orientation vs mat feed direction.
- Part 12 — additional cut modes under settings.
Full link list lives in sources/training/vinylcut-cutting.md and vinylcut.co.za/cutting.
Print + cut / contour (software side)
- Cut dialog includes Print + Cut style workflows for stickers/decals when using contour-capable hardware later.
- Contour = cut outline on pre-printed media using registration / optical eye — printing itself is outside VinylCut (and outside InkRIP unless that is the shop RIP). Keep RIP learning in the InkRIP tree.
Software-only study plan for this page
- Watch Parts 1–2 (overview + connection) with the dialog open on Monitor-PC.
- Click through every tab; screenshot privately if useful (do not store secrets).
- Do not send a job until a cutter and Eric’s presets exist.
- Map each tab to a future shop SOP (presets, colour jobs, tiling).
Updated: 2026-09-05 (SAST).