[Midair]

Originally Posted by Tomahawk

Thanks Peter. Sometimes it is just the colour combo you use that makes the graphic come alive.
Still using the original Silhouette graphics program that was provided. I have found some limitations when I wanted to do certain things. I could use more letter fonts. I also wanted to taper a word and it can't do that. You can only scale, crush or stretch.
Not sure what you really want me to discuss. The pics you posted are generally what I am doing. Import, trace, cleanup, scale and cut.
All the graphics are layered. Can't inset with Ultracote as you would end up with gaps due to heat shrinkage. Did you want to know how I was cutting Ultracote or more of using the program? Like the weld button.

Chris

Hi Chris:

I was interested to learn how you're layering the graphics. I haven't done this yet and was wondering if you were using any special technique. Also, are you using Ultracote heat shrink covering or trim sheets? You seem to be getting very clean cuts.

Peter

[Midair]

Chris:

In a previous post you mentioned that the "stock" Silhouette program has some limitations, particularly font manipulation; you also mention that you were attempting to produce tapered font. I wanted to make a tapered Aeroworks graphic and solved the problem by producing it in Microsoft Powerpoint, saving it as a JPEG file and then importing it into the Silhouette program. Not the best solution, but if you have access to Powerpoint, you'll have more options to create logos. Attached is the logo that I ended up using.

Peter

[Tomahawk]

Originally Posted by cgeisel11

Hi Chris,

All 3 layers are cut separately and then assembled on a light table before installation. I can post some pics of how I do it this weekend.

Colin

Thanks for clearing it up Colin. From you #103 post you mentioned you just finished cutting. I didn't realize you had also assembled them.
Pictures help us all if you have the time.

Chris

[Tomahawk]

Originally Posted by Midair

Hi Chris:

I was interested to learn how you're layering the graphics. I haven't done this yet and was wondering if you were using any special technique. Also, are you using Ultracote heat shrink covering or trim sheets? You seem to be getting very clean cuts.

Peter

Hey Peter. Using only regular Ultracote covering. I have a lot of colours and pieces available. Not the trim sheets. I only use the cutting mat in the Silhouette. I will take some pics and post how I am layering with the Ultracote. I will say that there is less weeding involved when using Ultracote instead of Vinyl.

Originally Posted by Midair

Chris:

In a previous post you mentioned that the "stock" Silhouette program has some limitations, particularly font manipulation; you also mention that you were attempting to produce tapered font. I wanted to make a tapered Aeroworks graphic and solved the problem by producing it in Microsoft Powerpoint, saving it as a JPEG file and then importing it into the Silhouette program. Not the best solution, but if you have access to Powerpoint, you'll have more options to create logos. Attached is the logo that I ended up using.

Peter

Thanks Peter. I tried everything I could think of and no way you could taper. There are the only three basic manipulations available that I mentioned earlier. A third party option is the only way to go. I have Printshop Pro here. I am going to try it out and see if it can be of any use.

Chris

[Mike Sebastien]

Explain "weeding"

[Midair]

Hi Mike:

Weeding - Once you've cut your graphic on the vinyl cutter, you've (hopefully) only cut through the vinyl material and not the backing, or carrier (the "waxed white paper to which the vinyl is attached). Weeding is the process by which you pull up or remove all of the vinyl pieces that are not part of your graphic. For example:

If you were to cut the word "AIRPLANE" from vinyl, after the cut you would remove everything that isn't part of the word - all of the vinyl around the outside of the letters and the bits of vinyl in the letters A, R and P. In the end you're left with only the word attached to your backing, exactly as it will look on your subject or plane.

If you review the video in the first post of this thread, you'll watch the guy weeding the word "Flower Power."

Peter

[Tomahawk]

Originally Posted by Midair

Hi Mike:

Weeding - Once you've cut your graphic on the vinyl cutter, you've (hopefully) only cut through the vinyl material and not the backing, or carrier (the "waxed white paper to which the vinyl is attached). Weeding is the process by which you pull up or remove all of the vinyl pieces that are not part of your graphic. For example:

If you were to cut the word "AIRPLANE" from vinyl, after the cut you would remove everything that isn't part of the word - all of the vinyl around the outside of the letters and the bits of vinyl in the letters A, R and P. In the end you're left with only the word attached to your backing, exactly as it will look on your subject or plane.

If you review the video in the first post of this thread, you'll watch the guy weeding the word "Flower Power."

Peter

To further explain. The reason you need to weed. If you pull the letters up separately and stick them on your plane it is a hard process to line them up again and have the same spacing. When you weed out the unnecessary pieces of vinyl, you use a semi-sticky transfer medium to transfer only your letters or graphic from the waxy backing to where you want to place it on your subject (plane). This semi-sticky medium allows you to keep your alignment and spacing of letters or graphic. Makes things go a little faster and easier.

Chris

[Tomahawk]

Ok, here we go. Took some pics tonight. I already cut something out but didn't like it but I will use it for the demo.
I am assuming you have your graphic chosen, sized and ready for cutting.

Since I am using the cutting mat I need to know the different sizes of Ultracote I need.
You need to click on the page tab and then use the slider to reveal the cutting mat on the screen.
Now that I know where the mat is I can group graphics of a similar colour together. Once arranged to use the least material. I can determine the different sizes of Ultracote I need because I know exactly where on the mat the blade will cut.

I then cut out the sizes and colours of Ultracote needed.

I will pull the covering and backing apart and reseal it again flat using the covering iron on the low setting to only activate the glue. I do this to all pieces as I have had buckling issues because of the covering being rolled up and then trying to lay it flat on the mat.
Run my finger over it to make sure all bubbles are out and run the iron over it again.
Shown in pic one.

The second picture shows the mat loaded with the Ultracote. Again I know from the screen where the cuts will be made. It is then easy to line up the covering and use only what I need. I added a few more pieces for show but they will not be used. You don't have to cut everything at once but it is an option.

Third pic. Start assembling. All I can say is clean. I use rubbing alcohol to remove any oils from the covering. Assembly is on a scrap piece of backing. I tried to place the red on black but you can't see the cut lines. It was easier to remove both and assemble on the scrap piece.

Pic four. Yes I eyeball it to line up.

Pic 5. Almost finished. Note the A. I weed out the centers at this time. Now you have to place your letters back in the black. I usually have to reseal the outer covering back down as it has pulled up from removing the letters.

Pic 6. Align the letters back into their slots. I usually only tack the centers. You don't need to seal the whole letter down. Just enough so it doesn't move.

Pic 7. I use green painters tape to remove the letters from the backing. I like to keep some of the Ultracote exposed as it is easier to tack it in place on the plane.

Pic 8. Start to carefully peel apart. Some letters give you trouble like E or C but it usually comes apart easily. Note, this is where you don't have to do all that weeding like vinyl.

Pic 9. Your graphic is ready to be applied to your plane. Make sure the spot you choose is well cleaned. Or you might be re-cutting another one to replace it.

Any questions do ask. Hope I covered it all.
Also any ideas to do this quicker also welcomed.

Chris

[Tomahawk]

Ultracote is not the end all. Sometimes vinyl is better. I have even used both together.

Here is a little eye candy to show you. I wanted to add a little maple leaf to my foamy Gee Bee R1. A little Canadiana to show it was mine.
I was afraid I would melt the foam applying Ultracote so I cut it out of vinyl.
I needed a small black border around the red so it would match the rest of the graphics. I used a similar technique as above to assemble on a separate piece of backing paper before applying to the Gee Bee.
That border was small.

Chris

[Mike Sebastien]

Great tutorial thanks very much. I have questions.

What was your setting on the knife and what was your thickness setting?