The author of the example Cindi Dornellas shares her experience:
"This tutorial is created with AKVIS ArtWork Pen & Ink feature. The purpose of this tutorial is to illustrate the capabilities of this program to create a high-contrast pen & ink drawing to be used with electronic cutting machines that have drawing abilities with pens."
We hope that everyone who loves the idea of scrapbooking will find this article interesting and useful.
Here is the description of the process:
Hint: Depending on the image you choose, you might find better results with using a B&W image as an original. Even though the AKVIS program will convert it to B&W – sometimes the results are better when you start with a B&W image.
Move the Sharpen slider to 100.
Click on the save button to save your image.
There are many electronic cutting machines out there. They use a cartridge with a blade and ‘cut’ out images/shapes. Most of these cutting machines now have a cartridge to accommodate holding a ‘pen’ (in place of a blade). This allows the electronic cutting machine to ‘draw’ rather than ‘cut’.
Most of these cutting machines have software associated with their company. There are also several third party software companies that work with the machine. Sure Cuts A Lot (SCAL) or Make The Cut (MTC) are two of them. This tutorial shows how to bring your Pen & Ink image into SCAL and utilize a cutting machine as a ‘drawing tool.
Then go to Cutter -> Mat Size and set your mat size to your preference. This example shows a 12”x12”.
Click on image, in SCAL go to Cutter then Preview and your traced AKVIS ArtWork Pen & Image image will display red.
In your cutting machine, make sure you have replaced your blade with a pen. Turn on your machine, hook up the image to your computer using a USB cord. Load paper onto your cutting mat. Turn on your machine. Be sure to select ‘load cutting mat’ click on the ENTER button and your mat will go into the machine and is now ready to ‘draw’.
Back in SCAL, go to Cutter and select cut with (Choose your Machine).
Change your settings.
Cut Settings -> Holder should be PEN
Speed and Pressure -> Material – use the pull down arrow to select the type of material that is on your cutting mat. Click cut button.
You will see a progress bar on your computer monitor.
Ta Da! Your original image converted to a drawing using AKVIS ArtWork Pen & Ink.
There are many brands of electronic cutting machines. All have various capabilities and all have support forums. I believe the AKVIS programs would be a huge benefit to a designer using one of these machines.