Paper Cut Files - Testing
Added 2017-02-10 18:17:22 +0000 UTCHey everyone!
I've been experimenting a Silhouette Cameo 3 paper cutting machine and while I've worked out a casual process for cutting minis I'd like to start working on a pipeline/process for prepping more official cutfiles that I can release.
I know a few of you guys regularly use cutfiles so I wanted to ask if anyone would be willing to share your experiences and/or test out some the files I've put together and give me feedback?
Some questions I'm hoping to answer,
-How do you handle recolors? Do you just swap the art in your software program before setting to print or do you have individual files for each color option?
-Would you prefer a page filled with say, Goblins? Or would you rather recieve a cut file with a selection of minis and then you can duplicate and place them as you'd see fit?
-What is the file format that you typically use? GSP?
-Do you know if the art is "baked into" the cut file or does the cut file just reference the art - is it enough to just have cut file or do you need cut file + art?
I'm sure I'll have more questions and other things will come up but that should be enough to get this rolling.
Thanks guys!
Comments
@PrintableHeroes, the new cutfile tier is perfect!!! any way of getting more of JP's files through that tier?
Joshua King
2017-06-28 08:51:11 +0000 UTC- The .studio test file you uploaded opened great for me. I didn't print it, but I can't imagine it giving me any trouble. Everything lined up nicely and looked exactly like the page I actually did print. I'd just need to convert to A4, which I have to do regardless. - I print them single sided and glue after they've been cut by the Silhouette.. it's pretty easy to line them up nicely. I don't have access to gloss paper that is thick enough for me to be happy with a single ply figure. On top of that, after shifting everything around to fit A4, I don't really have the time to invest in making sure they line up for a double sided print. - for me personally, I would prefer to have front and back files for each mini (eg a page of goblins, one of each recolour and style) so I can copy and paste together a page of minis I need for the upcoming session. This is currently what I end up doing in Photoshop and Illustrator anyway. I doubt most people want it that clumped together, but perhaps an option to pull single figures out and put them in a separate document would be something to look at?
Joshua King
2017-06-15 00:26:31 +0000 UTCHey Joshua, awesome! I'm glad those worked out for you. Were you able to get the double sided printing to work? How difficult did you find the process to be? Did the .studio files work for you at all? Would you prefer cut files setup for double sided printing?
PrintableHeroes
2017-06-14 18:20:01 +0000 UTCSorry for taking so long to get to this! I finally had a chance tonight to have a play with the SVG's from JP.. long story short they saved me a bunch of time. I still had to convert the SVG to a AutoCad reference file, and then make sure everything is lined up perfectly.. because the Silhouette software won't import SVG's without a $40 add on. I'm also in Australia so I had to convert it to A4 format which meant I lost a figure due to the half inch width loss. If there are more files available from JP I would be happy to contribute to a Patreon of his or make a donation to get access to them! Again, apologies about the formatting, im on mobile and line breaks don't work.
Joshua King
2017-06-14 10:29:06 +0000 UTCI've just attached some cut files that John Puh created for a previous set of minis, if you'd like to check those out as well. <a href="https://www.patreon.com/file?h=8063390&i=1098637">https://www.patreon.com/file?h=8063390&i=1098637</a>
PrintableHeroes
2017-06-07 05:09:14 +0000 UTCHow did those test files I'd attached to this post work out?
PrintableHeroes
2017-06-06 15:52:08 +0000 UTCIf anyone has any cutfiles they've used would you be willing to share? Would save me a lot of work!
Joshua King
2017-06-06 13:36:18 +0000 UTCAny update on this? I've just picked up a Silhouette Portrait and have had good success using illustrator to do a vector outline, mirroring for the back of the mini and then exporting as an autocad transfer file.. this can then be exported into Silhouette's software for registration marks and cutting. Sorry for the poor formatting, I'm on mobile!
Joshua King
2017-06-06 13:34:33 +0000 UTCHi Wansum, I've just picked up a Portrait.. do you have any cutfiles you've made floating around still?
Joshua King
2017-05-17 12:06:45 +0000 UTCDid anyone get a chance to test out the cut files I'd attached?
PrintableHeroes
2017-03-15 06:36:28 +0000 UTCI commonly use the cameo to cut out model buildings from Fat Dragon Games and Dave Graffam Models. I've even made my own cut files for those projects that didn't have them originally. It's really just a fancy, expensive, motorized knife. If you've used any vector based art software, then you know how to plot your cuts.
David Brideau
2017-02-11 23:52:48 +0000 UTCI regularly use it for 110lb weight cover stock. With the optional deep cut blade you can even cut "fun foam" though I've never tried it. I'm hoping I can get my cameo to cut cereal boxes or chipboard for added stiffness to a mini. (edits made to the above to clarify.)
David Brideau
2017-02-11 23:38:59 +0000 UTCHey David, pretty thick, I haven't tried anything thicker the 68lb paper, but it's supposed to be able to handle materials much thicker.
PrintableHeroes
2017-02-11 04:36:03 +0000 UTCAhhhh.
Michael
2017-02-11 04:15:35 +0000 UTCIt's actually several minis. The way I have been using it is printing the file from the Cameo, then using the same file to run it through the cutter. The Cameo requires specific registration marks to track where to cut, which is what makes me think I wont be able to use the standard PDFs in conjunction with cut files.
PrintableHeroes
2017-02-11 04:10:28 +0000 UTCSo this TestFile01.studio file. Which printable hero figure is it? I'm guessing the process will be for me to print out the core hero first, then load this studio file and let it do the cuts!?
Michael
2017-02-11 03:30:51 +0000 UTCOh, and I'm Marshall btw :)
PrintableHeroes
2017-02-11 03:06:41 +0000 UTCHey Guys, I just attached a test file in three different formats, please let me know how it works out and if you run into any issues
PrintableHeroes
2017-02-11 03:05:32 +0000 UTCAbsolutely, i've just attached a test file in three different formats, please let me know how it works out!
PrintableHeroes
2017-02-11 03:05:08 +0000 UTCPrintable Heroes - would it be possible to get a 'test' file by chance? Wanna make sure I'm actually able to figure out the wife's machine before upgrading to the highest backer level.
Michael
2017-02-11 02:35:13 +0000 UTCThis sound awesome. I've been on the fence about buying one of these cutting machines. This just might sway my decision. How thick of material can these machines cut?
David Bloom
2017-02-10 23:37:40 +0000 UTCThat seems like the logical order to me. I believe the cut file will still be loaded into the silhouette studio, so you could just delete cut lines that are not necessary. I have not cut this way yet myself, so not 100% sure.
Mark Kissinger
2017-02-10 21:07:54 +0000 UTCI guess what I have a hard time wrapping my end around is how to setup the PDF files to ensure they line up and are compatible with the Cut Files - would the process be: 1) pick colors in PDF, 2) print, 3) open cut file 4) run through cutting machine? If so, what happens if someone decides not to print a couple minis (leaves the selection option blank in the PDF), would the cutting machine just cut an empty silhouette?
PrintableHeroes
2017-02-10 19:54:46 +0000 UTCHey Wansum, for the VTT they were just scaled down images of the front view of the minis saved as PNGs. I wasn't actually doing top down versions - just too much additional work for me to take on. But I might try doing portraits tokens in the future.
PrintableHeroes
2017-02-10 19:43:07 +0000 UTCGoing on vacation for a week but once we get back I wanna give this a try!
Michael
2017-02-10 19:41:49 +0000 UTCWhen I use the silhouette to cut, I first load your boarderless images and use the trace feature to come up with my cut lines. You can then add an offset to those trace lines so it cuts a border around the image. Then I apply those cut lines to your image with black borders. I thinks the easiest way, at least for cameo users, is to make your files "Print and Cut" compatable. This puts registration marks on the print outs that the cameo can read so the cuts line up perfectly.
Mark Kissinger
2017-02-10 19:40:26 +0000 UTCDo you guys typically use black borders? I'm not sure how I can easily handle having them be optional or not. Might just be something where I include them in the file and you can just delete them if you don't want them
PrintableHeroes
2017-02-10 19:37:20 +0000 UTCCameo definitely lets you use the whole sheet. It's a true 12x12 cutting surface.
Mark Kissinger
2017-02-10 19:36:40 +0000 UTCWow.. I missed the vtt post...I use fantasy grounds all the time and I would love a top down version of these minis
Murder Hobo Show
2017-02-10 18:56:45 +0000 UTCThis is something I'm definitely interested in as my wife just got a new Cameo Silhouette and I'd love this option!!
Michael
2017-02-10 18:55:25 +0000 UTCI'd be glad to help you out with this....I have the silhouette portrait. I think the difference is when I cut a sheet of regular 8.5 x 11, I loose about an inch all around the sheet for borders. With a cameo you might be able to use more of the sheet. I've had mine for some time and I've been making cutouts with your stuff for a while. Glad to help in anyway I can.
Murder Hobo Show
2017-02-10 18:55:03 +0000 UTCSimple guy with simple skills, I just print as much as I can per page. I guess if I knew how to cut the art so it could fill all the space on a page I would definitely do that.
DMofDhoom
2017-02-10 18:49:05 +0000 UTC
