CutContour Troubleshooting - Extended Version

Symptom:

Cut files not recognized by Caldera.

Problem:

Typically one of the following requirements is or are not met:

1. CMYK Spot color with a value.
2. 0.1 point line weight (without special effects) to avoid double cuts.
3. Name needs to be CutContour otherwise it will not be automatically detected (if other name declare in FileMan > Setup > Edit Cut Contour list).
4. Stroke needs to be centered and not set to inside or outside.
5. Can not be on a disabled layer (Layer has to be enabled and set to print).
6. The CutContour line is falling off the artboard.

Solution:

1. CMYK Spot color with a value:

2. 0.1 point line weight (without special effects) to avoid double cuts:

3. The cut name needs to be CutContour otherwise it will not be automatically detected (if other name is used, it has to be declare in FileMan > Setup > Edit Cut Contour list):

If other name, Die_Cut for example. You can use a wildcard name such as Die* (with the star simple) so any spot color starting with the name Die will be used as cut contour (Example Die_Cut, DieCut, etc.).

4. Stroke needs to be centered. Not set to inside or outside:

5. Can not be on a disabled layer (Layer has to be enabled and set to print). See special note on Caldera version 10.2 build 160601 and newer:

Note: Since version 10.2 build 160601 Caldera will no longer detect cut contours present if the layer is not set to print in the Illustrator layer options (also known as "optional group content" in PDF jargon).That's why there are not loaded. Open the file in Acrobat, you won't see them either.

If old behavior is desired (enabled layer but print disabled) then do the following in terminal:

First check if the following folder exists:
/opt/caldera/lib/shared/MonzaSetup
If not create the folder (case sensitive)
mkdir /opt/caldera/lib/shared/MonzaSetup
Then place the following empty file:
touch /opt/caldera/lib/shared/MonzaSetup/pdfi-allocg

6. The CutContour line is falling off the artboard:

Take the artboard and fit it around the artwork. In Illustrator you can select "Fit to Artwork bounds". Alternatively, the artboard itself needs to be increased in size:

Note: If using PrimeCenter, this can be corrected by selecting "Create Contour from Page Content" -> "All Vectorial Objects":