Applying a cutline in Illustrator to be read by my Roland CAMM1

[Terry Cheney]

Can anyone enlighten me as to how to apply a cutline to artwork done in Illustrator, or imported from Photoshop, that will be read and acted upon by my Roland CAMM1 plotter cutter, please?
I know this is possible in Corel - they appear to have cornered the market in signage and clothing artwork, but it surely must be possible in Illy and I far prefer to stick with a program that I have much more confidence in.
Thanks in anticipation
Tel

[Fakie]

You need to draw a path around it and then export that to a proper sign package, sign lab works well, I know illustrator stopped working with cut lines ( 0 - zero point line with ) about V7 or maybe V8...

I don't think it will drive a cutter, unless there is a specific plug-in :(

[Terry Cheney]

Thanks for your reply.
I haven't used the Roland for almost two years, it was bought for a specific purpose that I decided to shelve, temporarily, for more lucrative work.
I now have a nice opportunity to rekindle my interest and get some sort of return out of my investment.:)
Thinking back, I remember I found a way to insert a 'cutline' in Photoshop.
I know I could use Corel, but I hate that program and avoid it like the plague whenever I can.
I'm about to contact Roland themselves for advice, but seem to remember the cutline needs to be a specific thickness - not sure of the dimension.
What would be the most efficient way of applying a 'cutline' around the outside of intricate artwork?
I also seem to remember something about a product called 'Robo' that offered a restricted facility with Illy artwork.
Top regards
Tel

[Fakie]

Sorry haven't heard of doing it through Photoshop or any other programs, there must be a plug in, although saying that ALL sign software comes with an import facility for .ai files and as it works so well maybe there doesn't need to be a plug in.

Working with specific sign software does make things easier apart from it works like Corel Draw *$@?ing thing...

I'd be interested to know how you get on. Other than that, get hold of a copy of illy 7, backward save as an Illy 3 file ( only backwward saves to 8 above that ? ), then open it up and its fine.

You can pick up sign software for about £200 that will do the job so not a huge amount to expend.

Good luck

[AimeeRay_10]

wow, that SAME EXACT reason is how i got fired or "let go" rather...more details in Torchs thread on bad days....

[MKO]

Tel,
try to cut a path with a 0.001 pt stroke and no fill.

[sniles]

Hi!

I am new to the Forum and just tripped over this old post of yours. If you still need an answer, here ya go:

There was an application called SIGNPOST, an EPS to HPGL converter for the Mac. I still use it on an old G3; it is not updated to work with OS X. I save my Illustrator files as Outlines, making sure there are no guides or extraneous other bits, and save out as Illustrator 8.

I can ask if Max Taylor (who wrote Signpost, and with whom I still stay in touch) about getting a copy. He no longer supports it, but perhaps he would be willing to sell a license...

sniles