FAQs & Troubleshooting

Close

CM250

FAQs & Troubleshooting

FAQs & Troubleshooting

Date: 03/11/2019 ID: faqh00000726_000

How do I Create the Cutting Data (Scan to Cut Data) ?

A printed pattern or image or an original hand-drawn illustration can be scanned, converted to cutting lines for cutting/drawing with this machine, then saved as data.

img

You must update the latest software to use "Recognition mode" depending on your model.
For more information about the software version and update procedure, refer to “Downloads” page.

 

 

Creating Cutting Data

 

In this tutorial, we will save an illustration drawn on paper as cutting data.

 

img

----- Preparing the material -----

 

When using the “Scan to Cut Data” mode, use originals like those described below.
 

  • Patterns that are clearly drawn, with no gradation, fading or blurriness
  • Not using an extremely intricate design

image
 

----- Scanning -----

 

  1. Touch the “Scan” key in the home screen to select the scanning mode.

    img
     
  2. Select “Scan to Cut Data” in the scanning mode selection screen.

    img

     

    >> A message appears.

     

  3. Touch image , select the scanning mode, and then touch the “OK” key.
    First, test with grayscale recognition mode. If the desired cutting data is not created, test with color recognition mode.

     

    image

     

    image
    Grayscale recognition mode
    The cutting data is created after the illustration is converted to grayscale. Scanning in grayscale recognition mode is most appropriate for illustrations with clear outlines or distinct brightness differences.
    Processing is faster with this mode compared with the color recognition mode.
    If there are adjacent objects of the same color after an illustration has been converted to grayscale, select the color recognition mode.

     

    Color recognition mode
    The cutting data is created without converting the illustration to grayscale. Creating data in this mode may take some time.
    * The default color recognition setting is the grayscale recognition mode.

     

    Examples of illustrations appropriate for recognition mode:
    Examples Recommended recognition mode
    Outlines that are clear image Grayscale recognition mode
    image

    - Distinct difference in brightness between
       background and illustration

    - Different brightness of adjacent colors

    image
    Similar brightness of adjacent colors image Color recognition mode

    The edges of adjacent colors with the same brightness, as shown below, cannot be detected. In this case, use the color recognition mode.
    image

    (1) “a” and “b” as well as “c” and “d” have the same brightness.

     

  4. Attach the original to the mat, and then load the mat into the feed slot.
    Lightly insert the mat into the feed slot, and press img in the operation panel.

    Lightly insert the mat so that it aligns with the guides on the left and right sides of the feed slot and is tucked under the feed rollers.

    img (1) Guides
    (2) Feed rollers
     

    img
    >> The mat is fed in to complete the preparations for cutting.

    Depending on the machine model, the sizes of mats that can be used will differ. Check the “Maximum Scanning Area” under “Machine Information” in the settings screen.

     
  5. Press the “Start/Stop” button to start scanning.

     

    >> When scanning is finished, the scanned image appears in the screen.

     

----- Creating Cutting Data -----

 

The procedure for creating cutting data differs depending on the mode.

 

Grayscale recognition mode

 

  1. Select the cutting line type in the image editing screen.

    The image shape is detected and cutting lines are created based on one of three standards.

    For this example, touch img to create cutting lines using region detection.

    image
     

    (1) Outline detection
    If you wish to cut/draw along the outline of an image, select this option to convert the outline of the image to a cutting line. This is useful for saving as data an illustration drawn for an appliqué.

     

    (2) Region detection
    Select this option to detect the colored portions of an image as regions and create a cutting line around each region. Cutouts can be created using thick hand-drawn lines, such as borderlines of images or text illustrations. This option allows you to use not only cut-out patterns but the material from which portions are cut out, such as lace.

    (3) Line detection (Grayscale recognition mode only)
    Select this option to detect the center of lines and convert them to a cutting line. This is useful for detecting patterns consisting of multiple pieces and creating cutting lines for each piece.
     

    Lines thicker than 1.5 mm will not be detected as lines.


    Difference in cutting lines depending on detection standard

     

    Example 1
      (1) Outline detection (2) Region detection (3) Line etection

    Original

    imageimage

    Cutting lines

    img img img

    Finished project
    after cutting

    img img img

     

     

    Example 2

      (1) Outline detection (2) Region detection (3) Line etection

    Original

    image

    Cutting lines

    img img Does not apply since there are no outlines
    for each color in the original. Does not apply since there are no outlines for each color in the original.

    Finished project
    after cutting

    img image

     
  2. Use the touch pen to touch image  and drag it around the screen to trim the cutting lines to be saved as data, and then touch the “Save” key.

    image

    >> Touch image to change the minimum object size that will be detected and the conversion threshold.
    For details, see Adjusting Image Detection Levels

     

Color recognition mode

 

  1. In the image trim screen, use the touch pen to drag image to trim the image to the size to be imported.
    image

    Trimming the image to the desired size can reduce the amount of time required to convert it to cutting data.

     

  2. Touch the “OK” key to confirm the trimmed area.

     

    image
     
  3. Select the detection standard in the image editing screen.
    The image shape is detected and cutting lines are created based on one of two standards. For this example, touch image to create cutting lines using region detection.
    image (1) Outline detection
    (2) Region detection

     

    Difference in cutting lines depending on detection standard 
      (1) Outline detection  (2) Region detection
    Original image
    cutting lines img img
     

    Finished project
    after cutting

     

    Finished project
    after cutting

    Finished project
    after cutting

    img  imageimage

     

    Touch image  to change the number of colors and the minimum object size that will be detected.
     

    (1) If the cutting lines were not correctly detected, change the number of colors to be detected. If a color that appears as a single color is detected as separate colors, reduce the number of colors. If adjacent colors with a similar brightness are detected as a single color, increase the number of colors.

     

    (2) Small unnecessary patterns (dotted lines, etc.) can be excluded from cutting data.
    For details, see Adjusting Image Detection Levels
     

     

    (3) Touch the “OK” key to apply the settings. When the number of colors is changed, the “OK” key changes to the “Preview” key. After changing the number of colors, touch the “Preview” key to check the results.

     

    When making a stamp, for example, the image may not be converted to cutting data if it contains a gradation or areas that are only partially filled with a color.

 

 

----- Saving Data -----

 

  1. Select the destination where the data will be saved.
    Select the desired location. For this example, select the machine.
    image

    (1) Machine
    (2) USB flash drive
    (3) CanvasWorkspace (Wireless network models only)

    This is available only after a connection has been established with CanvasWorkspace.
    (4) Computer

      >> Touching a key starts saving the data. When the data has been saved, the following message appears.

     

    image

     

     
  2. Touch the “OK” key to finish saving the data.

    >> The destination memory selection screen appears again.
     
  3. Press img in the operation panel to feed out the mat, and then peel off the original from the mat.
     

----- Recalling Cutting Data -----
 

Saved cutting data can be recalled for cutting.
 

  1. Attach the material for cutting to the mat, and then load the mat.

    >> For details on attaching the material, see “Attaching & Peeling off the material”.

    >> For details on loading the mat, see “Loading and Unloading the mat”.
     
  2. Recall the saved cutting data.
    img

    >> A preview of the pattern layout appears.
     
  3. Touch the desired destination, and then select the desired pattern.

     

  4. Edit the cutting data as necessary, and then cut or draw.

     

    img

     

    img

    Small spots and unwanted lines created during scanning can be deleted after a scanned image is converted to cutting data.

     

    1. After recalling the cutting data into the pattern layout screen, use the editing functions for selecting the spots to delete.

      img
      (1) Touch for selecting multiple patterns in the specified area
      (2) Unwanted spots and lines

       

    2. Specify the area of the unwanted spots, and then touch the “OK” key.

      img
    3. Touch img to delete all of the selected spots.
      img

 

 

Related FAQs

Related Models

CM100DM, CM250, CM350, CM350e, CM350H, CM350R, CM550DX/ CM550, CM650W, CM650WX

If you need further assistance, please contact Brother customer service:

Content Feedback

To help us improve our support, please provide your feedback below.
Step 1: How does the information on this page help you?
Step 2: Are there any comments you would like to add?

Please note this form is used for feedback only.