The Tools settings and priority section is where you create your cutting tools. You can create multiple tools to perform different cut actions within the same job. The section is divided into two parts: Tools list and Action icons.

Action icons

  Create a tool: opens the Tool Configuration window to add a new cutting tool to the list.

 Edit tool: opens the Tool Configuration window to make edits to the tool's settings.

  Remove a tool: deletes the cutting tool from the list.

 Move tool up: moves the cutting tool closer to the top of the tool list.

 Move tool down: moves the cutting tools closer to the bottom of the tool list.

 Load a tool set: loads a previously saved cutting tool set.

 Save a tool set: saves a cutting tool set as a .xml file.

Tool Configuration window

In the Tool Configuration window, assign the following fields.

Contour name

Name the new cutting tool. The name should correspond to the name of the cut contour you want it to cut in the design file. If the name does not begin with "CutContour" you must declare it in the software so it will be recognized. Go to "File Manager - Setup - Edit Cut Contour list" and create a new contour name.

When an asterisk “*” is added at the beginning or at the end of the cutting tool's name, the cutting tool is used to cut all contours that begin or end with that name.

Example

A tool named “CutContour*” is used to cut all contours that begin with the name "CutContour". This means the tool "CutContour*" will be used when cutting contours that are named as the following: “CutContour”, “CutContourFrame”, “CutContourImage”, etc.

A tool named "*Contour" is used to cut contours that are named as the following: “Contour” and “CutContour,” but not for “CutContourFrame”.

Tool type

Tool types vary by cutter model. Examples include:

• Kiss cutting: cuts only the first layer of the media (E.g. adhesive-backed vinyl.)
• Dotted cutting cuts using a Laser to simulate the cut path.
• Tool type "Current Tool" uses the parameters defined on the cutter panel.

Speed

Head speed of the cutter.

Force

Pressure applied to the tool when cutting, its range is device dependent.

Acceleration

Pressure applied to the tool when cutting.

Blade Offset

Enter the blade's offset value. If unknown, use the default value that appears in this field.

Dash force

Pressure applied to the tool when cutting dashed lines.

Color

Select a color to identify the cut contour in the Preview.

Passes

Feature exclusive to CalderaCare subscribers, starting with CalderaRIP V15.1.1.

Contour can be cut in multiple passes for thicker roll material (example: 21mm vinyl) instead of re-cutting the same job multiple times losing accuracy or setting multiple cut contours at the same place losing time in prepress.

Define the number of passes you want here.

Cut Test

Performs a cut test to review the cutting tool's settings. Media must be loaded before performing this action.

Tools list

The order in which the tools appear in the list is important. The order determines which cut contour is performed first, as well as which tool is used when two tools are eligible for a contour.

Contours allocation

For each contour, VisualCut reviews the tools from the top of the list to the bottom and selects the first tool that is a match for the contour. When a generic tool appears before a specific tool in the list, the contour will be cut using the generic tool instead of the specific tool based on its location in the list.

When a tool is selected in the Tools settings and priority list, the corresponding contour will be highlighted in the Contours in the job list. This is helpful so you can verify that the correct tool will be used to cut the contour.

The Default tool

The Default tool is used when no other tool can be linked to a contour. Even if the Default tool is at the bottom of the list, it will be used to cut the contour. The Default tool cannot be deleted from the list. The Default tool is treated like all other tools so its order in the list is also important.

Example

In the example below, the contour "MyContour" was unable to link to a specific tool so the "Default" tool was used to perform the cut contour.

Additionally, the contour "CutContour_Kissed" is linked to "CutContour*"instead of the tool named "CutContour_Kissed" because the tool "CutContour*" is listed before the other tool and is eligible to cut the contour.

See below which tools are used to cut each contour that appears in this example: