Adding Vinyl Cut Line

[claretnblue]

Hi, 

 

I am creating images to be cut out using a vinyl cutter and, as I understand it, you need to create a cut line around the object.

 

I understand how to add a stroke, which I guess would work in some instances but if I wanted an additional stroke how would I go about it? Or is this not possible at the moment?

 

Many thanks

[MEB]

Hi claretnblue,

Welcome to Affinity Forums,

Create a duplicate of the object you want to outline, remove the fill, use the stroke width to define the offset distance for the outline.

Then go to layer -> Expand Stroke and then to Layer - > Geometry -> Divide. This will create two shapes from the contour of the expanded stroke. Delete the internal shape and edit the other as you see fit.

 

[EDIT] If it's more than one object you can duplicate all, remove the fills and perform an add boolean operation to create an object with the shape of the artwork, then proceed as described above.

[claretnblue]

MEB, 

 

Thanks for the quick reply, I will give that a go.

 

Cheers

[MaxClass]

As the author of the vinyl cutting Mac application of the past (“SignPost”) you will need to create a path that the vinyl cutter can follow to do the job.

 

Since vinyl cutters are only interested in a path cut with a knife the stroke width you use is irrelevant so anything will do. Using a 1 point stroke is fine so you can see where it is.

 

Not sure what format you will need to save the path information in but I imagine PDF should work fine.

 

Max



[claretnblue]

Max, thanks for your comment, very helpful.