Vector vs. Bitmap- In order for the vinyl cutter to cut an image, the image must be in vector format. JPG's are bitmaps.
1. Find your image and copy it to computer memory. choose one that has a lot of contrast between colors. Photographs that have a very busy background and relative uniform in color are almost impossible to convert properly.
2. Paste your image in Corel Draw.
3. Click on your image to select it.
4. Click on "Bitmap" from the top menu then click "Convert to Bitmap".
5. Change the settings to "CMYK- Resolution 300dpi and put a check mark beside Anti-aliasing, Transparent Background, and Apply ICC Profile" like the following box.
6. Then, click "Bitmap" from the top menu then click "Trace Bitmap". This will open the image in Corel Trace.
7. With the image visible in Corel Trace, click "Image", slide down to "Mode" and click "Black and White".
8. In the dialog box, change the number as you watch the image. When the image becomes most clear, with few or no unwanted dots, click OK.
9. Click "Trace", then " By Outline". This will make the image visible to the right. This view is your finished look.
If it does not look correct, you can play with the "Accuracy" bar then click the pencil icon to view the new setting. If it still does not look correct, undo back to where the image is color and try to start again with step 5 above.
10. When you are pleased with the image, click "File", then "Exit". Answer "Yes" to the question "Trace results for bitmap have changed, do you want to save the changes".
11. Now, back in corel draw, move the image to expose the original bitmap. Select the bitmap and delete it.
12. Select your traced image, resize it and move it to the correct location on your vinyl.
13. With the image selected, click to make it have no fill.
14. With the image still selected, click to make the outline have a hairline with and make the outline black. The image is now ready to save and cut on the vinyl cutter.