How to configure your ZCC cut workflow?

This guide covers the full ZCC cut workflow, from creating cut contours in design software to processing files in CalderaRIP and finalizing the cutting process in the dedicated ZCC software.

Create a CutContour using a ZCC template in design software

(Adobe Illustrator™ example)

1. If not done already, launch Adobe Illustrator.
   
   
2. Open the Illustrator template: "Zund Cut center template.ai":
   
   
   The template opens a blank page and loads Zünd swatches.
   
   
3. Insert your file in the current document and create your cut contours:
   
   
   You may be interested in reading:
   
   • How to create a cut contour in Adobe Illustrator?
   • Basic PDF file preparation guidelines for CalderaRIP
   • How to create a cut contour in CorelDraw?
   
   
   
4. Choose for each contour a swatch in the Zünd palette. Each swatch matches a specific cut tool from the Zünd Cut Center:
   
   
   A Thru-cut contour has been chosen, and the color of the contour changes to the Thru-cut one.
   
   
5. Click on File, then Save As. Save the file as an EPS or PDF.
   
   
6. Move your file to your CalderaRIP computer, or save it in your shared directory.

Print with CalderaRIP

1. Launch CalderaRIP.
   
   
2. Double-click on Fileman to open it. Then, search for the location of the already prepared file on your computer:
   
   
   • Use the left part of the window to find your file.
   • Depending on how you named your contour, click on Setup… then Edit Cut Contour list and check that your contour name appears in the list (if it does not, add it).
   • A name like “NAME*” means that every cut contour name that begins with “NAME” will be recognized by CalderaRIP:

   

   Steps to add a Cut Contour name.
   
   

3. Click on Open. Your image has been downloaded to the ImageBar:
   
   You can see the EPS extension, which means the file is an EPS, and a pair of scissors which means this file has cut contours recognized by CalderaRIP.
   
   
4. Double-click on your printer’s icon to open its module. Choose the resolution, loading, media, mode, and quality. If you want a simple print, the action has to be "Print".
   Drag and drop your image from the ImageBar to the module window:
   
   
   
5. Click on the first button on the left. It opens the Page Setup, which shows on the left a preview and the advanced scaling settings of the page. From there, go to the Cutting tab:
   
   
   
6. There, click on Enable cutting contour and choose your already installed Zünd Cut Center cutter. Several options are available:
   
   
   • Print options: you can choose to print registration marks, a bar code, or a print identification number. You can also print a QR Code containing the cut information. This QR Code is dedicated to the Zünd Cut Center.
   • Contours: you can add a contour around the document and/or around each image. Edit the existing contours and specify if they need to be printed and/or cut. 

     Warning

   Please make sure that your Zünd cutter has been configured correctly with your printer printer and media combination. Learn more.

7. Click on the Print button, or close the current window to change other printing parameters before launching the print.

Cut with Zünd Cut Center

1. After your printing, open your Zünd Cut Queue. Your job should be at the end of the queue.
   
   
2. Click on it to display the cut contour of the job:
   
   
   
3. If you click the button, you can open the Cut Editor to change tools or the contour:
   
   
   
4. Save and quit to go back to the Cut Queue. There, click on the button to open the Cut Center.
   
   
5. All your cut settings are already configured depending on what had been set up in CalderaRIP.
   
   
6. Then click to launch your cutter: