Hi. I am new to coreldraw x4 and was wondering if a plugin is available to cut the vinyl direct from corel rather than exporting it and importing it into artcut. The model is JK871 and it uses a Redsail package. (I think) 

If your plotter came with a driver that makes it look like another printer (Look at Window's 'Printers and Faxes' for your plotter), then you can output your vector image to the plotter, just like it was another printer.

If that is not feasible, then you could export your vector artwork as a *.plt file. That is a HPGL plotter format file. Then using your plotter communications, you send the *.plt file to the plotter. (i.e.: if your plotter is on COM1, then do "copy <filename).plt COM1:" from a command prompt.)

If the plotter interface is only accessible via the artcut software, then what you are doing now is about it. Other than a third party software, such as CoCut, but then I do not know if CoCut supoorts the Redsail plotter.

Thanks for the prompt response. It isn't seen as a printer as it's connected by a usb serial on com2. I know the software exists and works on usb it's just finding it that appears to be the problem. 

Then export your vectore drawing as a *.plt file. Then bring up a command prompt and do "copy <filename>.plt COM2:

That will output the drawn vectors to the plotter. Of course, you want to do only one color at a time.

http://coreldraw.com/forums/p/7073/26536.aspx#26536

oth, CorelDRAW X3 and X4, are compatible with Graphtec Vinyl Cutting plotters, and you don't need any plugin. I been using for a long time CorelDRAW with a Graphtec plotter. You only need:

- install drivers, as any printer

- change language from HPGL to GP-GL

- send to print (Ctrl+P) objects with "hariline" and "Black" outline, and "no fill".

 Thanks guys. I have been offline for a few days after a Vista service pack 1 installation failure. Now back online using XP. Vista isn't getting near my system again.

There is value in exporting to a plt file first. You can plot that on paper and know 100% that you will get 100% the same result when you load vinyl.

I think it would be quite resonable to call on Corel to supply a tool to copy files to a printer/plotter. It's a pretty minor coding job that cold be given to a newbie. And it would round off one rough edge.

Here's a code reference... http://support.microsoft.com/kb/119113

Maybe this could be done really simply with send to... http://www.geekgirls.com/windows_sendto.htm

And this classic... http://pages.cs.wisc.edu/~ghost/redmon/index.htm

Good wiki topic to build on.

 Hi Rob...I was wondering if you ever got you machine to work.  I have a Redsail RS450C and have always installed it as a printer and then cut directly from Coreldraw 12 with it.  I do not have to use any other software to make it work...however, I need it to work from my laptop now (no serial port on the laptop).  When I try using the USB to connect the cutter, it no longer works.  The USB came with a driver but it converts the USB to serial and I can no longer have the cutter installed as a printer in my printer folder...the ports conflict.  So I guess my question is-would you kindly tell me if you are using USB to connect and if so, do you have the cutter installed as a printer?  I sooo appreciate your time...it is probably something simple but I have been at this for days. 

THANKS! 

Kim

Simple answer is no. I had to install it on a virtual port in usb but the interesting thing is my new computer has a serial port so this might be even better. Is it possible to get a usb to serial adapter for your laptop?

I do have a CH340 usb-serial converter that i am trying to use-it is an Ebay purchase "CH340 style" that does not seem to install properly.  After reading about it online, it seems only difficulties with the brand.  I will keep trying with one from Best Buy for $36. 

Still not sure how to get the cutter to install as a printer even after that though, (so I can use the print feature on Coreldraw 12 to cut.)  Anyone else know how to get a HPGL style xp windows driver to work with a USB port that is  usb-serial converted COM2 hookup.  It is on a Redsail RS360C or a Redsail RS450C cutter.  Both Redsail cutters works perfectly when cutting directly from Coreldraw 12 with the serial cable on Com port.  It the USB connection that is confusing the issue beacuse it takes away the option to connect to the cutter as a printer.  The printer and the USB-Serial would both need to share the same COM port in order for it to work and when I try that it seems to have a conflict.

Thanks everyone for your ideas..I have learned a lot about Corel from all of you!!

The problem lies with the usb interface. The usb has to be set up as a virtual port and as a result you can't send dirct to the plotter.

If this is XP then there are issues with USB 2.0. It was hell to sort out here. You had to load the USB stuff in a very specific order or the USB drivers don't load.

If it's this issue you will see red X or some other warning in the device manager. It's due to the MB supplied drivers being not updated for SPs of XP. And without those drivers loaded into XP update doesn't recognise the USB systems correctly.

Fis is something like...

Load XP (no service packs)

Load motherboard driver

Load service packs.

If it's just being able to copy a file to the plotter you should be able to find a utility.

http://www.rdpslides.com/psfaq/FAQ00056.htm

http://geekswithblogs.net/dtotzke/articles/26204.aspx

http://www.ozgrid.com/Services/windows-printing-applications.htm (print on USB devices or remote devices over a LAN, even if the original application can not print on that type of device)