Expert: Ran - 3/4/2010

Question
I am not scanning the image, I have the origional image in 800x610 BITMAP form, on my computer. I am using the Seiki 870T Vinyl Cutter with FlexiSTARTER 8.5, with CorelDRAW X5 (Evaluation Version) to try to get the image to work with my Cutter/Plotter.  

 I am trying to change/convert the image to AI (I have done this and have images saved on my computer.), and everytime I think I have gotten the missed step corrected, and I try to open// import the image in AI format into my Seiki cutter program it gives me all kinds of diffrent error this error that boxes...

My reasoning for this is so that I can cut it out in vinyl with the 870T for a banner for a customer. I am new to this,... I have contacted people all over the world looking for help, and I have gotten half answers, and then nothing more.

I have surfed the web for days, getting info and 'tips' from other sites and pages that I have read and tried soloutions from havent worked... I believe that somewhere, I missed something critical,...

I have to have this banner done in 2 weeks! I am asking out of sheer desporation, for your honest help. I have contacted people all over the world looking for help, and I have gotten half answers, and then nothing more.PLEASE HELP!

Thanks for your future help, J.

Answer
Hi Julie

I have not seen your error message but I guess that the problem is caused because you are trying to send a bitmap file to a cutter, which can only "print" vectors (lines).

You will need to convert the bitmap into vectors, which is similar to a question I answered a few days ago, and this process deals with the thousands of micro-decisions about where one colour ends and another one begins etc. It is the absolute definition of the expression "where to draw the line". Fortunately CorelDraw can do this in its sleep.

In CorelDraw, with the bitmap selected, click Bitmaps/Outline Trace/Line Art and in the dialog which appears make sure the Preview is set to Before and After. (Note that all of the different options available from the Bitmaps/Outline Trace menu just alter preset settings).

Play with the settings until you get something you can use and click OK. You should now have a CorelDraw drawing which is a vague copy of your bitmap, over the top of your bitmap. Press Shift+PgDn to move the drawing to the back, then delete the bitmap.

The drawing is a group of many objects, so select the drawing and press Ctrl+U to ungroup it. Now you need to turn on your skills and delete as much of the unnecessary stuff you can, leaving behind what you want the cutter to cut. For example you can delete sky, shadows etc etc. When you have simplified things how you want, you can save it and then try your AI export and see if any errors remain.

You may want to merge several objects into one, for a simpler cut. Select the shapes to merge with Shift+Clicks and choose Arrange/Shaping/Weld.

I think this will solve your problem, so now you have 13 spare days to put your feet up!

Please let me know how you get on, thank you - R