If you’ve taken a vinyl cutter class from @Adam_Oas, you probably know that:
“SignCut has trouble importing “I” (capital i) and “l” (lowercase L) text in vector format and may have issues with vertical rectangles.” (Thanks @JurieP for documenting the vinyl cutter usage and also this issue!) It also demonstrates some other quirks by creating partial vector paths and so on.
The problem is apparently related to Inkscape, and not to SignCut as was previously suspected.
Tonight we determined that if you generate the EPS file using Adobe Illustrator and don’t use Inkscape, all of those odd quirks including the capital I and lowercase L issue disappear.
Since Inkscape is the culprit I suspect, but did not confirm, that if you generate the EPS file using any other non-Inkscape software you should be fine.
SWEET! That will save a lot of time having to run through the bitmap loop. I’ll probably still do the class starting from a bitmap image as it’s still the worst case scenario for most people.
Whenever I use Illustrator to create my EPS file, I get unnecessary boundary boxes around my objects and I can’t get rid of them and the cutter recognizes them. I am sure its a setting somewhere just can’t find it.
I’ve run into extra bounding boxes in Inkscape as well, when I get a negative image as opposed to a positive in the convert to paths dialog. I solved it by reversing the colors in that same dialog box. Might not be the same issue that you have though.
Thanks…I was going to update the Wiki vinyl cutter guide with this info but see @Chrismini user on the wiki already made them. I assume that may be @Chris_Mlinarich but could be wrong.
CORRECTION: Thanks @John_Marlow! I just looked at the Wiki editing history and noticed “Chrismini” as the user who updated the Wiki. @Kentamanos thanks for pointing it out.
I was talking to another member about it. We also agreed that it is a problem with the EPS files, and the coding in them. I have seen other parts of letters missing, and it repeats.
Another issue is with images, or parts of images, flipped, inverted, mirrored. sometimes, 2 images are cool, and a third one is inverted. Weird to see.
Using Adobe Illustrator, the creator of the EPS format, is an understandable work around. But illustrator is only avail on select machines at the Space (one or 2 in CA, the 2 laser machines which should be only used for laser and not design).
Another solution would be to invest in updating the signage software, one that handles more formats.