Full Version: Vector Cut Sequencing : Epilog/Corel
From: MBSI (MBSI-GRAPHICS) [#1]
21 Jul 2006
To: ALL
Epilog users........
Have you tried to manage the sequence of your vector cuts
such that the machine cuts the objects in the sequence you
want and not what the machine wants?
I thought it worked like this:
Place objects in Corel in sequence from bottom-to-top
in the chosen layer. The laser should cut them in the
order - bottom to top.
I thought it used to work, but have downloaded the new
driver and firmware and played with some Corel options.
Since I have not heard back from Epilog on this I'm wondering
if there's a Corel setting that I mucked with incorrectly.
Thoughts?
I've got a sample Corel file if anyone's interested in testing
my dilemma.
Regards, and thanks,
Graig
From: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#2]
21 Jul 2006
To: MBSI (MBSI-GRAPHICS) [#1] 21 Jul 2006
The vectors always cut from bottom to top of the Object Manager list for me (Epilog Mini-24, Corel X3). This is assuming that you don't set different colors for different vectors on the advanced tab of the driver.
How do you have the Vector Optimization checkbox in the driver set?
From: MBSI (MBSI-GRAPHICS) [#3]
21 Jul 2006
To: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#2] 21 Jul 2006
By Vector Optimization I assume you mean Vector Sorting which controls the cutting of objects from the inside out. Whether it's set or not - doesn't matter......
No color coding is being used.
I talked with Epilog tech support.
I understood that it is not so much the bottom-to-top ordering of
objects, but rather their creation sequence.
Didn't sound right to me so I drew up a quick sample (attached)
setting bottom-to-top ordering in the layer AND creation sequencing such that the V-shape of the squares should cut upper left down to center of the V-shape and then up the right leg.
Doesn't! It ALWAYS cuts from the closest square to the top (upper right)
down the right leg until it reaches the next highest square on the
Y-axis which is on the left leg and then it bounces back and forth between the left and right leg doing squares on each leg until the bottom of the V-shape.
I'd appreciate it if you could run the attached CDR file and let me know what happens for you.
I know it's something simple, cause I thought it worked before.
Regards,
Graig
From: Shaddy [#4]
21 Jul 2006
To: MBSI (MBSI-GRAPHICS) [#3] 21 Jul 2006
pick-tool click on the upper right square and press SHIFT - PAGE DOWN to force it to the bottom of the z-order, then run it. See if that changes anything. Just make that one change so you know if anything happens.
EDIT... ignore that, as I don't have the same options as you. I just have a 24TT so my driver is different. It might have to do with the Top To Bottom or whatever that setting is called. Maybe disable all those extras to leave as much control with Corel as possible.
Shaddy
EDITED: 21 Jul 2006 by SHADDY
From: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#5]
21 Jul 2006
To: MBSI (MBSI-GRAPHICS) [#3] 21 Jul 2006
The creation order IS bottom to top in the object manager. But Epilog is wrong in that if you rearrange the objects in the Object Manager it does laser according to the order in that list, not the original creation order.
I lasered your drawing and it did it just as I would expect. It started with the leftmost square, at the upper left of the checkmark and worked it's way down and to the right until it hit the knee of the checkmark, and then worked it's way up the right leg toward the upper right. Same as the order of the squares in the object manager, from bottom to top.
I also grabbed one of the squares in the middle of the right arm of the checkmark and dragged it to the bottom of the list in the Object Manager. Then I lasered it again. This time it lasered that square first, then continued by moving to the upper left corner of the checkmark and as before it moved down and to the right, and then up and to the right after getting to the knee at the bottom. (skipping over the one I had moved, and which it had lasered first)
So it is definitely lasering based on the order in the Object Manager on my Mini-24 using X3.
I have firmware "Legend Mini 1.0.1.7" and am using driver 7.03 (April 12, 2006)
From: MBSI (MBSI-GRAPHICS) [#6]
21 Jul 2006
To: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#5] 21 Jul 2006
I really appreciate your time helping my sanity!!
I'm running the latest EXT firmware 1.0.1.1 with the latest print driver 7.0.4.
If you don't mind I'll pass along your message contents to Epilog tech support.
I install new drivers and firmware as the arrive but never run exhaustive tests on each and every feature that I expect will work.
Maybe I need to reinstall the older firmware and drivers. Nah!!
I want to see what Epilog tech support gets when they run the test program.
I owe you one.
Regards, and thanks,
Graig
From: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#7]
21 Jul 2006
To: MBSI (MBSI-GRAPHICS) [#6] 21 Jul 2006
Glad to help. It certainly sounds like something is trying to optimize the output sorting in your system.
I assume you are using something other than X3, since after the test I saved the modified file and it said it was updating it to X3 format.
From: MBSI (MBSI-GRAPHICS) [#8]
21 Jul 2006
To: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#7] 21 Jul 2006
I'm using the same Corel 12 that I used before.
Now I'm questioning if it was just good fortune that
my sequencing worked a couple of months ago, or not.
Oh well - we'll see what Epilog tech support comes up with
when they run the same CDR.
Thanks again.
Graig
From: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#9]
21 Jul 2006
To: MBSI (MBSI-GRAPHICS) [#8] 22 Jul 2006
From: bluepaw [#10]
21 Jul 2006
To: MBSI (MBSI-GRAPHICS) [#1] 22 Jul 2006
I just use color ordering. It works every time, is easy to make changes and you can easily see how you have it set up.
Bill
From: MBSI (MBSI-GRAPHICS) [#11]
22 Jul 2006
To: bluepaw [#10] 22 Jul 2006
Color ordering works fine - except my layout has 900 cuts.
The carriage movement is now running all over the place,
and certainly NOT in an optimal (time saving) manner.
Graig
From: MBSI (MBSI-GRAPHICS) [#12]
24 Jul 2006
To: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#9] 24 Jul 2006
Sorry I missed your comments.
Yes - I reset the Corel settings (F8 on Corel startup)
No luck.....
But to keep those of you just sitting on the edge of your
seat uptodate......
Spent the weekend clearly documenting my entire set
of procedures - and results - for running the basic Vector
Object Order Sequence verification file with all sorts of
combinations of computers (2), firmware versions (3),
and driver versions(3).
Sent those results and the files to both tech support and
my sales rep.
Talked with the sales rep this morning. He's going to run
the file on his 36EXT. Tech support said they were going
to run it on their machine(s) as well.
It's now 4:30 PM and haven't heard back from either the
sales rep or tech support. Hmmmmmmmmm.... :S
Stay tuned....
Regards,
Graig
From: MBSI (MBSI-GRAPHICS) [#13]
24 Jul 2006
To: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#5] 24 Jul 2006
Just a note of thanks. Your differential diagnosis on your mini-24 is helping Epilog figure out what's going on with the 36EXT controller.
My rep's 36EXT is acting the same screwy way mine is. At least now I know I'm not losing my mind. Well - at least over this anyway.
Thanks again.
Graig
From: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#14]
24 Jul 2006
To: MBSI (MBSI-GRAPHICS) [#13] 25 Jul 2006
From: MBSI (MBSI-GRAPHICS) [#15]
26 Jul 2006
To: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#14] 26 Jul 2006
Well - I got the "solution" from Epilog Tech Support late Monday.
Won't divulge it - yet - because I've bumped into yet another
scenario where the vector object ordering is ignored, even when
I use the "solution".
Just fired off the latest high-level scenario to Epilog this evening.
I'll work up a repeatable scenario for them tomorrow - as if I have
nothing else to do, like - RUN A BUSINESS!!
My hunch is that after you send "x" number of print jobs from
the same Corel session, that the print driver gets confused.
Deleting the jobs on, or powering down/up the engraver does
NOT solve this new scenario. Only exiting and restarting your
Corel session (or rebooting your PC) solves the problem.
If I hadn't programmed device drivers and equipment controllers
in a former "life" I'd simply be confused. Now I'm just angry!! >.<
Hope this message find everyone well.
Graig
From: Patty (PDI) [#16]
26 Jul 2006
To: MBSI (MBSI-GRAPHICS) [#15] 26 Jul 2006
http://www.engravingetc.org/forum/index.php?webtag=EE&msg=3978.1
Restarting Corel definitely changed my output results but did not solve the issue for me.
Patty
EDITED: 27 Jul 2006 by DGL