Messy file - Can't seem to make contour cuts

[Signsforwhile]

We received files from a designer on a project that we need to turn into contour cut decals and also rigid signs that will be cnc'd. The only problem is that I'm having trouble creating a cut path for either. The file is full of masks and broken up paths. Am I doing something wrong? Or is this thing going to have to be reverse engineered to get a cut path. There are even elements hidden by white boxes....There are about 16 of these that I need to deal with because....oh....the designer got fired...

 

[edgette]

If it were me I would make a copy of the file, delete out all of the inside gradients and elements you don't need, well the outer pieces together, make your cut path and move the cut path over the original design. I can't see what program you're using there but I use corel and that's what I do when I get files like these.

 

[SightLine]

Even easier than trying to delete stuff..... select all / copy / paste a duplicate of the entire peice. With the entire copy selected give it all some single random color, weld into one fat blob. Contour cut that, send to back and position perfectly behind the original.

 

[gabagoo]

Even easier than trying to delete stuff..... select all / copy / paste a duplicate of the entire peice. With the entire copy selected give it all some single random color, weld into one fat blob. Contour cut that, send to back and position perfectly behind the original.

 

[TyrantDesigner]

reversed engineered. I can see why he got fired ... poo poo design work.

the pin wheel and bottom of the circle at the top of the "L" that is cut off is covered by a white box, you can probably use the white box (copied a few times depending on software) to cut off the bottom pin wheel and circle fully. probably a 2 minute fix.

 

[Signsforwhile]

The major problem is that every fill is a mask. So each mask needs to be broken apart, then the bitmap deleted then I finally have an editable vector I can work with. The only problem is that every letter is broken into 4 - 8 pieces.........

 

[TyrantDesigner]

This might be a job for the vector doctor then. He can probably get you what you need no problem with minimal fuss.

 

[Signsforwhile]

 

[thewood]

Even easier than trying to delete stuff..... select all / copy / paste a duplicate of the entire peice. With the entire copy selected give it all some single random color, weld into one fat blob. Contour cut that, send to back and position perfectly behind the original.

Great advice. If you are still having issues with the masks, rasterize the graphic at 300 ppi and do an AutoTrace to create the cut line.