Special Line Types

EasySIGN now supports several 'special' line types, besides the already implemented "Print & Cut" line.

Now there also is for example the "Cut through" line, which can be used to cut vinyl completely through the backing, instead of just the top layer (*). This enables the user to create a workflow that prints a sheet of stickers, cuts their contours, and separates the stickers from the backing paper, all from one single worksheet!

With these special lines, it will also be possible to access other features of a cutting plotter that were not possible before, like pouncing, and specific pens. With this project we hope to be able to support more brand-specific functions as they become available on your hardware.

* Only available on specific plotter drivers

How to apply a special line?

Just select the object you want to use as a Print & Cut line, a Pounce line, a Cut through line, a Device specific tool line or a Device specific user line. Then select from the menu "Edit, Convert to, Line Type" and select the line type you want to use. You can also use the right mouse button menu for this or assign a shortcut key to a line type you use often.

The implementation of Special Line Types has also an impact on the plot dialog. The plot dialog has actually gained more control. You can now select from an easy to use list (1) the type of lines you want to plot or deactivate the ones you do not want to use. This list will only show the lines that are used in your worksheet making it much easier to handle. As a special note, the "Normal lines" you will see in the list are all the cut able objects.

Say for example you have a worksheet with stickers printed and now want to plot the Print & Cut Lines to cut out the stickers. Just select the plot command and in the plot dialog make sure that only the Print & Cut lines are selected.

In the worksheet itself commands like "Edit, Select by object" will make it possible to select all object that have a Special Line Type applied.

Auto Drag tool

The Auto Drag tool is a special toolbar that is optimized for editing nodes. It will help experienced users do get the job done more quickly and it will make it possible for new users to edit nodes without any prior knowledge.

A new and very easy way to edit nodes without the hassle of first understanding the meaning of groups, combining, convert to curves, effects etc., this tool will automatically do all of this for you.

	Auto open/close If a node is closed this tool will open it, if you drop an open node onto another open node it will close these two nodes. Even when the other node is part of another object.
	Auto delete With this tool selected every node or line that is clicked on will be removed.
	Auto cut On every line or curve that is clicked a new open node will be added.
	Auto line/curve If you click on a line it will become a curve and if you click on a curve it wil become a line.
	Auto move Called this way to keep the naming convention in order. Basically this tool enables you to select any node, curve or line and move it around or change its appearance.
	Settings This option will open a dialog with some drag tool specific settings.

With every option is a right mouse button menu (context menu) available. This context menu will change with whatever node and/or line is selected.

To see an extensive explanation of the Auto Drag Tool view this Tip & Trick.

(Ook beschikbaar in het Nederlands)

As usual a lot of new drivers, print profiles and enhancements.

Compatibility for Coreldraw™ version 14 (X4) has been added.