How to cut / break apart a huge image on vinyl for wall?

[dada]

I read a thread about cutting a big script and how to line them up.

But I am actually looking to cut a big tree (6 foot?) for wall vinyl décor similar to the one linked (a happy lush tree). I was looking for a readied made svg file of a “cut-up” tree branches because trees are popular in wall vinyl work, no dice. The leaves of course are not a problem because they will be cut separately.

So how do you take a bare tree and break up the image so it will fit on 12X24 while keeping the size consistent?

Btw, I have SCAL 2 and expression.


Thank you in advance!

[Louise-Paisley]

It is not that easy to do in SCAL because it lacks alignment features which make it much easier..

But basically you would create a rectangle the size you can actually cut along side the object you wish to slice..

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Next you duplicate the object and the rectangle in place (Edit Copy, Edit past in place)
Select one copy of the object and one copy of the rectangle and use path->intersection to slice the object.

Now move the duplicate rectangle onto the next area to slice leaving an overlap and repeat to create slice two..

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Now create registration marks to aid lining it up again when you apply it to the wall..

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That is the basic concept, it quickly gets very complicated if you are limited to small cut sizes and have a large vinyl to do because you have to slice up into a grid of overlapping sections with marks to line it all back up again.

[Louise-Paisley]

if 12 x 24 is the max size you can cut you will need at least 4 horizontal slices 24 high, and the width of the tree divided by 11 inches vertical slices - a lot of work to be blunt.

Is that the max size of your cutter? 12 x 24, or the largest mat you have? with vinyl cutting you do not need a mat

[gj1]

I sure hope the requesting person responds...this is a terrific explanation!

[Louise-Paisley]

I sure hope the requesting person responds...this is a terrific explanation!

It's the basic concept.. I do it slightly different in that the arrows I position slightly above the overlap, but that means the second slice at least has to be smaller then the cutter width to leave room for them.

By having the arrows above the overlap it makes alignment easier. You remove the backing paper and re fit it so just the arrows are exposed, that makes it easier to line to the slice on the wall..

This video shows the concept although the video is for layering the process is pretty much the same. They are not using arrows and use diamonds over laid, lining up the points of the arrows is far more accurate than overlaying a shape.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgwKh5NrAa4

[dada]

Thank you! thank you both!!

It's very helpful and infomational to learn about using path>intersection to slice it up and the arrow alignment! never thought of that! but the saving grace at least for a tree is that it's not too bad if the branch is off a little bit.. it does sounds like a daunting task though for all the horizontal branchs.

so after slicing it up, do you just resize it by the same scale?

and I totally do not know I can cut vinyl without a mat!! So just slip the vinyl in 'naked'? What's the pressure, speed and needle setting? or is there a thread you can point me to?

thank you very very much!!

[Louise-Paisley]

Thank you! thank you both!!

It's very helpful and infomational to learn about using path>intersection to slice it up and the arrow alignment! never thought of that! but the saving grace at least for a tree is that it's not too bad if the branch is off a little bit.. it does sounds like a daunting task though for all the horizontal branchs.

so after slicing it up, do you just resize it by the same scale?

and I totally do not know I can cut vinyl without a mat!! So just slip the vinyl in 'naked'? What's the pressure, speed and needle setting? or is there a thread you can point me to?

thank you very very much!!

vinyl has its own mat, a thick paper backing. You set the force so it cuts the vinyl but not the backing and therefore do not need a mat.

As for settings, that is really machine specific, and as vinyl needs a very accurate force setting it is often the case that two machines of the same make and model will need a different force to cut the same vinyl.

normally a series of test cuts cutting a small circle about 1" diameter or similar is the best way to nail down the force, speed will depend on the complexity and size of the cut, for very detailed vinyl I sometimes cut as low as 30mm/sec, for large fairly simple cuts like an 8 foot x 2 foot text only sign I may go to my machines max of 600mm/ sec.

What cutter do you have btw?

[Louise-Paisley]

It might be a good idea to go to your profile and edit the signature to say what cutter you have etc as I have done..

Then when you ask questions the information is available and people can advise on machine specifics

[Louise-Paisley]

Ohhh resizing..

I would personally create a huge custom mat and resize the file before cutting it up, you cannot at the moment accurately resize the sections in SCAL.. I wont confuse you with the details, suffice to say that if you slice it first and then try to re-size the slices it will fail miserably, It is something I have notified Support about and they tell me it will be fixed in a future update.

You could create the slices and copy them into a new file as you go, maybe one slice on each page, I would think that would be the best way.

But to be honest if you can only cut 12 x 24 inches maximum with your machine I think the whole task will be more effort than it is worth when you can buy the tree all ready to apply for about £10 on the bay of e

[dada]

Ohhh resizing..

I would personally create a huge custom mat and resize the file before cutting it up, you cannot at the moment accurately resize the sections in SCAL.. I wont confuse you with the details, suffice to say that if you slice it first and then try to re-size the slices it will fail miserably, It is something I have notified Support about and they tell me it will be fixed in a future update.

You could create the slices and copy them into a new file as you go, maybe one slice on each page, I would think that would be the best way.

But to be honest if you can only cut 12 x 24 inches maximum with your machine I think the whole task will be more effort than it is worth when you can buy the tree all ready to apply for about £10 on the bay of e

Thank you for telling the that slice and resize do not work, saved me from the agony of hours of work and wasted vinyl.
Maybe you are right, I might be better off buying it from ebay for tree size scale stuff.. I have the bad boy expression and SCAL 2 which will not get updated to get the sizing fixed...