Question Is "RasterLink Tools" a version of "FineCut"? And...

You can use Rasterlink exactly how you used Versaworks. Just set the CutContour spot color and open it in Rasterlink. It should see it as a print cut job.

 

FineCut is a plug in for Corel. They also make one for Illustrator. We chose Corel. All our plotting is done directly in Corel. You can use macros to set your file up at each workstation. Adding weed lines, registration marks and such. We only used Rasterlink for printing. We now use an HP with Flexi RIP but still plot with the mimaki. Mimaki doesn't care what your cut color color is.

rta vinyl designed and setup at individual workstations. Once approved I setup my weed lines then select what I want to cut and hit a macro. The selected is exported as an eps to a specific temp folder with a specific name. I then go across the room to my plotter and workstation open Corel start a new doc then hit a macro that imports that file. Load my vinyl then use the FineCut plug-in which no more than a toolbar with specific macros assigned to the icons. hit the plot selected icon then set other parameters.This cuts down on the amount of time to search for the original file. Once I'm done cutting it I can close without saving. The idea is to not tie up the RIP station so the print tech can keep prints giong.

print and plot vinyl takes a little more. Everything still set up at each individual workstation then exported to a hot folder on the network for print. Our print tech handles al the incoming prints. Prioritizes etc.The print setup consists of more self made macros to automate. You'll need a designated cut line any color doesn't matter and on a seperate layer (layer name doesn't matter) move all cut lines to the cut layer and turn off printing for that layer (macro). Next I use another macro to create the specifically named registration marks and reg layer.
Once it's printed/laminated load it into the plotter then open corel from that workstation and open the orig file. Turn off all layers and just leave the cut layer and registration layer. Line up te print as needed then tell it to read the reg marks. Again use the FineCut tools to start the process of plotting. Once finished hit close and don't save.

 

I'm not 100% sure if they are still doing it but a lot of my customers have upgraded to Rasterlink 6 for free. You deactivate your Rasterlink 5 and then download 6. Enter your 5 password when it asks and it should allow you to use 6. Keep in mind that the password for 5 was longer than 6 so just type in as much as you can and it should work. 6 is much more stable and has more features than 5 for sure.

 

Here's the link to the full installer for Rasterlink 6. It downloads a smaller program that then downloads the full program. Keep in mind you will want to uninstall 5 before installing 6. It's worth a shot. I have had many customers do it successfully. You don't want to update as it doesn't work. You want to use the full installer. Hope this helps!