Cut preferences

Use these preferences for layouts that will be output as CF2, EPS, or ACM files with instructions for the plate cutting table.

Create cutting file when outputting layout

To enable creation of cutting files when you output a layout, select this check box and then select the format of the cutting file.

Note: You can override this global preference as needed for hot folder workflows that preprocess the individual files before placing them in a final layout for output. In this case, overriding the automatic creation of cutting files in specific hot folders prevents the creation of unnecessary files. To disable the automatic creation of cutting files, in the layout setup that you are using to create the .cta template referenced by the Auto Arrange hot folder, from the Cut File menu, select Don't Create.

Min split length

(Applies only to the ACM format) By default, any cut line longer than 508 mm (20 in.) will be cut from the center outward to prevent the plate from moving or lifting on the cutting table. To edit this default value, select this check box and specify the minimum Length. The cutting table knife will then move both clockwise and counterclockwise on cut lines that are this length or longer.

Round corners

To have rectangles cut with rounded corners, select this check box.

Corner radius

Specify the radius amount for round corners.

Create one combined cut path for Step and Repeat 

To output a single cutting path that combines all the individual stepped files from a Step and Repeat layout, select this check box.

Plate position for cutting

To define how the plate is placed on the cutting machine, select Face down  or Face up .

Note: If Face down is selected, you will mount the plate on the cutting machine face-down by flipping the plate vertically from its face-up position.

Camera marks

(Applies only to the ACM format) Cutting tables that use ACM files require camera marks, which the software automatically places in the output TIFF file. Select the desired camera mark:

Plus
Cross
Circle
Custom	For the software to recognize and use a custom camera mark in a layout, the mark's file name must start with CameraTarget.

Camera mark location

(Applies only to the ACM format) Specify the placement of the camera marks in relation to the bounding box of all TIFF contents in the layout. At least two camera marks must be placed. The automatic placement of the camera marks is determined by the Cut Preferences setting for Camera Mark Location and the Layout > Output > Flip setting.

Note: After output, the camera marks will appear in the calculated position on the layout. You can also check the camera marks by opening the plate TIFF in Preview mode.

Camera mark count

(Applies only to the ACM format) Place either 2 or 4 camera marks. For some configurations, 4 camera marks provide a more precise cut. 

Cut direction

(Applies only to the ACM format; available only if the Min split length check box is cleared) Select either Clockwise or Counterclockwise.

Rotate

To rotate the cutting file so that it matches the orientation of the plate on the cutting machine (if necessary), select the Rotate check box and then select the required degree of rotation.

Flip

To flip the cutting file so that it matches the orientation of the plate on the cutting machine (if necessary), select the Flip check box and then select Vertical or Horizontal.

Auto apply embedded mask

Select this check box to automatically apply the Plato embedded mask in the LEN or TIFF file upon opening the LEN or TIFF file in a layout.
Note: To specify the crop margin in a layout, go to Layout Setup > Auto applied embedded mask margin.

Include marks

Select this check box to include separation marks within the cut shape.
Note: This setting does not apply to separations with a custom cut shape applied.

Label etching

(Applies only to the ACM format) You can etch (slightly cut) the label on the plate before inking the label. Etching the label provides more permanent labeling.

Label position

(Applies only to the ACM format) Specify whether to place the label at the center, top, bottom, left, or right side of the plate or TIFF file.

Include mask

(Applies only to the ACM format) Select this check box to use the Label position with masked separations.
Note: For separations that are cropped by a mask, the label position is always Center, regardless of the Label position setting. 

Label font size

(Applies only to the ACM format) Specify the default or maximum font size for labels on the back of the plate. For small TIFF images, the label automatically shrinks to fit.

Label text

(Available if Plate position for cutting is set to Face down or Face up) Select the text options to engrave in the labels on the back of the plate:

• File name
• Separation name
• Date
• Time

Label orientation

 To define the orientation of the labels, select Right reading  or Wrong reading  (mirror image).

Margin

To define the margin around the cut image, type a value in the Margin box.

Folder

By default, the cutting file is placed in the same folder as the layout output TIFF file. If your workflow requires a different default location, click Select. For example, you can specify a location on another workstation, such as the cutting table controller.