# VinylCut 5 — first-party training map

Pointers into the boxed export (prefer AM). Paths under `/workspace/export/…`.

## Product / about

- `sources/training/vinylcut-about.md` — vinylcut.co.za/about
- `sources/training/vinylcut-software.md`, `vinylcut-vinyl-cutting-software.md`, `vinylcut-benefits-of-vinylcut.md`
- `sources/company/am-brand-vinylcut.md`
- `sources/training/ambitious-vinylcut-software-suite.md`
- `website-llms/vinylcut.co.za/llms-full.txt`

## Install / activate

- `sources/training/updating-vinylcut-5-install-setup.md` — simplified install; no-driver emphasis
- `sources/training/activating-and-deactivating-of-the-vinylcut-5-software-mini-series-video-index.md`
- `sources/training/vinylcut-license.md`
- Local brief: [https://8i.co.za/data/amcoza/software/vinylcut/monitor-pc-install.md](https://8i.co.za/data/amcoza/software/vinylcut/monitor-pc-install.md) (5.028 activated on Monitor-PC)

## UI / design features (softwaretraining indexes)

| Topic | Index / page | Local brief |
|-------|----------------|-------------|
| User interface overview | `the-user-interface-overview-for-vinylcut-5-software-mini-series-video-index.md` | [https://8i.co.za/data/amcoza/software/vinylcut/ui-overview.md](https://8i.co.za/data/amcoza/software/vinylcut/ui-overview.md) |
| Nest | `covering-the-nest-feature-using-vinylcut-5-software-mini-series-video-index.md` | [https://8i.co.za/data/amcoza/software/vinylcut/design-tools.md](https://8i.co.za/data/amcoza/software/vinylcut/design-tools.md) |
| Shape tool | `how-to-use-the-shape-tool-within-vinylcut-5-software-mini-series-video-index.md` | design-tools |
| Trace image | `the-trace-image-feature-within-the-vinylcut-5-software-mini-series-video-index.md` | design-tools |
| Distribute objects | `distribute-objects-within-the-design-using-vinylcut-5-mini-series-video-index.md` | design-tools |
| Border frames | `creating-unique-border-frames-in-vinylcut-5-software-mini-series-video-index.md` | design-tools |
| Rhinestones | `how-to-use-rhinestones-within-the-vinylcut-5-software-mini-series-video-index.md` | design-tools |
| Visibility / layers | `controlling-what-you-see-and-dont-see-in-your-project-files-in-vinylcut-5.md` | ui-overview |
| Remove strokes | `vinylcut-remove-strokes.md` | ui-overview / pitfalls |
| Registration marks | `vinylcut-5-030-registration-marks.md` | design-tools |
| Import SVG / PDF / export SVG | softwaretraining live pages (see file-types brief) | [https://8i.co.za/data/amcoza/software/vinylcut/file-types-and-pitfalls.md](https://8i.co.za/data/amcoza/software/vinylcut/file-types-and-pitfalls.md) |

## Cutting

- `sources/training/vinylcut-cutting.md` — cutter setup + cut-settings mini-series links
- `sources/training/vinylcut-contour-cutting.md`
- Local concepts (no first cutter): [https://8i.co.za/data/amcoza/software/vinylcut/cut-settings-concepts.md](https://8i.co.za/data/amcoza/software/vinylcut/cut-settings-concepts.md)
- AMUser V-Smart / V-Series setup how-tos under `sources/training/amuser-how-to-add-setup-a-v-smart-vinyl-cutter.md` (and related) — **hardware deferred** until Eric picks a practice machine

## Academy / softt

- Ambitious Academy **Graphic Class** (`sources/training/academy-graphic-class.md`) is general CNC/graphic software schooling — useful background, not VinylCut-specific how-tos.
- softt row JSON on the box (Affinity / vectorization) is adjacent design tooling — keep separate from VinylCut skills unless Eric says otherwise.

## Next software-only steps (no hardware)

Ordered for Monitor-PC practice:

1. UI overview Parts 1–2 + layers show/hide drill ([https://8i.co.za/data/amcoza/software/vinylcut/ui-overview.md](https://8i.co.za/data/amcoza/software/vinylcut/ui-overview.md)).
2. Fill/Stroke + remove-strokes how-to; save a clean cut-style sample.
3. Shape tool Parts 1–3; then Nest Parts 1–2.
4. Trace image Parts 1–3 (rules + properties + input); try monochrome on a simple logo.
5. SVG/PDF import/export + SVG DPI prefs ([https://8i.co.za/data/amcoza/software/vinylcut/file-types-and-pitfalls.md](https://8i.co.za/data/amcoza/software/vinylcut/file-types-and-pitfalls.md)).
6. Open cut settings; study Parts 1–2 (overview + connection) without sending ([https://8i.co.za/data/amcoza/software/vinylcut/cut-settings-concepts.md](https://8i.co.za/data/amcoza/software/vinylcut/cut-settings-concepts.md)).
7. Cut-by-colour + tiles videos conceptually; design a two-colour file ready for later.
8. Optional: border frames / distribute / rhinestones if craft jobs matter.
9. Pause on live contour until cutter + print source chosen (hardware questions skipped for now).

End-to-end software path: [https://8i.co.za/data/amcoza/software/vinylcut/workflow-design-to-cut.md](https://8i.co.za/data/amcoza/software/vinylcut/workflow-design-to-cut.md).

Updated: 2026-09-05 (SAST).