This article explains how to associate printer media with materials and cut contours with cutting methods in Cutter Tools Configuration.
Use this procedure after you have manually created the materials and methods file for your cutter driver.
Info
This procedure applies to the manual workflow for cutter drivers that do not display the Editor tab. If the Editor tab is available, refer to the automatic method documentation.
Warning
Incorrect material or method settings may damage the cutter tool or cutting table. These settings should be configured by experienced operators. If you are unsure about a setting, consult your cutter manufacturer or contact Caldera Support.
Before you begin
Make sure that:
- Your cutter is supported and has been added to CalderaRIP.
- The materials and methods file for your cutter driver has been created and is up to date.
- You have opened the Print module for the printer that you will use in the print-to-cut workflow.
Info
Repeat this configuration for each printer used in your print-to-cut workflow.
Open Cutter Tools Configuration
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- In the Print module, add the image to print/cut and go to Page Setup > Cutting.
- Enable Cutting contour if necessary.
- Select your cutter, then click Tools to open Cutter Tools Configuration.
Info
The tabs available in Cutter Tools Configuration vary depending on the selected cutter driver. The screenshots in this article show the ZCC driver, which includes nine tabs. For information about the tabs available for your driver, see the driver technotes.
Associate printer media with materials
Open the Materials tab.
- Check whether the materials from your manually created materials file appear in the list.
- If the list is empty and your driver supports this option, click Get from media:
CalderaRIP creates materials using the names of the media configured for the printer: - If required, use the available options to manage the materials:
- Click Edit to rename a material.
- Click New… to add a material.
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Click Delete to remove a material.
Info
We recommend changing the material list only when required by your cutter controller configuration.
Associate cut contours with methods
Open the Methods tab:
In this tab, create associations between cut contours and the available cutting methods, such as Register, Draw, or Thru-Cut.
CalderaRIP processes the methods from top to bottom and applies the first compatible method.
A contour is compatible with a method when:
- Its name matches the configured filter.
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The Available with this media column is set to Yes.
Info
The current media is the media selected for the print job. Some methods may not be available for every material because they require a specific cutter tool.
Use contour-name filters
Use the Filter field to define which contour names are associated with each method:
| Filter | Matches |
| * | Any contour name |
| *Word | Contour names ending with Word |
| Word* | Contour names beginning with Word |
| *Word* | Contour names containing Word |
Recommendation
Create specific associations before general associations. For example, create an association for CutContourCircle before creating one for CutContour*.
Create a specific contour association
- Click New….
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Configure the association for the specific contour, as shown in the example:
Warning
Do not enter * directly in the Contour name field. Use the Filter field instead.
- Click OK.
The association is added to the top of the list. In this example, it applies only to contours named CutContourCircle:
Create a general contour association
- Click New….
- Configure the association for the general contour, as shown in the example:
- Click OK.
The general association is added above *Register*:
You can add, edit, or delete associations as required.
Warning
Make sure that the DEFAULT material includes an available method associated with the * filter. This ensures that CalderaRIP can process contours that do not match another configured association.