USER GUIDE

EXTRACT
Installing SignTools

1. Insert SignTools compact disk into your CD-ROM drive.

2. The SignTools AutoRun prompt displays a graphic. Click on the
"Install SignTools" option. Or if the AutoRun feature of Windows isn't enabled
on your system, click the
Start button and choose the Run command. In the Run dialog box, type
"D:\Autorun.exe", where D represents the letter of your CD-ROM drive.
Then click the OK button. If you're not sure which letter your CD-ROM drive
uses, open Windows Explorer and look for the CD-ROM icon.
3. Follow the instructions shown on your screen.

Activating your SignTools Software

1. Open CorelDRAW.
2. Access SignTools from the "CorelDRAW Application Launcher"
CorelDRAW
versions 7 to 10
Application
Launcher

CorelDRAW 11
Application
Launcher

CorelDRAW 12
Application
Launcher

The SignTools 3 Activation Dialog box will appear.

3. You can click on the "Activate" button to commence

activation, or you can simply click on the "OK" button.

If you click on the "OK" button, the SignTools roll up menu

will appear. You have 25 uses of the program before
activation is required to keep using SignTools.

All SignTools functions will work without Activating the

program. However, if the Remaining Uses gets to "0"
SignTools will not work without being Activated.

Copyright © 1998 - 2004 A Signs

All rights reserved

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or

means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise
without prior written consent of A Signs.
 USER GUIDE
EXTRACT
When you click on the "Activate" button the following dialog box will appear.

STEP 1. Type in your Serial Number

(this can be found in the box
that your SignTools software
came in).

STEP 2. If you choose "Internet" it will

open the Activation Form
dialog box.

Simply fill in the form and click on the

"Submit" button and your SignTools
software will automatically Activate.

If you choose "Fax" it will open a

CorelDraw page containing the Activation
Form. Fill in the form and fax or email.

We will email or fax back your Activation

Key within 24 hours.

Copyright © 1998 - 2004 A Signs

All rights reserved

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or

means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise
without prior written consent of A Signs.
 USER GUIDE
EXTRACT
Configuring The CUT Tool

After installing and Activating your SignTools the next step is to configure
SignTools for vinyl cutting. Follow the instructions below.

1. Click on the "Cut" button. The "Cut" Dialog box will appear.
2. Next, Click on the "Settings" button. The "Cut Setting" Dialog box will appear
(see picture below).

3. Next, select your port from the

"Port Select" drop down.

Please note: If you are using a COM

(serial) port you will need to click on
the "Properties" button and configure
your port.

See your plotter's user manual for

more information.

4. Click on the "Apply" button, followed

by the "OK" button.

It is also recommended that you set

your Corel DRAW page to the
"Recommended maximum page size"
in the "Cut Settings" dialog box.

For step by step setup instructions see our support section on our website
www.asigns.com/signtools_cutter_setup.htm

Copyright © 1998 - 2004 A Signs

All rights reserved

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or

means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise
without prior written consent of A Signs.
 USER GUIDE
EXTRACT
Advanced Cutter Settings

Speed Setting:
Checking this box will instruct Signtools to use the speed setting already configured
within your cutter. Uncheck this box and supply a speed to have Signtools send the
speed command(s) instead.

Cutter Origin:
Position of the x, y co-ordinate origin (0,0). Lower left (default) will assume the lower
left corner page as the origin, while Centre will assume the centre of the page.

Post Cut Rollout Length:

The length of vinyl that will be rolled out once a cutting job is complete, assists in easier
separation of finished cut jobs.

Plotter Unit Options:

Plotter units are the standard HPGL unit of measure, default 40/mm. It is advisable that
you don't change it unless you were given instructions from A Signs or your SignTools
distributor.

5) Resolution (Windows 2000/XP only):

Selecting the High option will result in a higher resolution for jobs that do not exceed
1.6 metres (63 inches) in size, the Normal option (default) will result in the same
resolution for all size jobs. The High option is recommended for smaller images.

Copyright © 1998 - 2004 A Signs

All rights reserved

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or

means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise
without prior written consent of A Signs.
 USER GUIDE
EXTRACT
Installing and Configuring a Shared Cutter
NOTE: This section is NOT required for local cutter installations.
Follow the instructions outlined below, during which you should refer to the following diagram.

Shared Cutter

Cutter Server Client Computer

This section assumes you have successfully networked both Cutter Server and Client Computer,
and both machines and Shared Cutter are switched on.

1) Installing the Generic / Text Only printer on the Cutter Server:

To enable the cutter server for shared access you will need to install a Generic / Text Only printer
and driver. This driver is available with all supported versions of Microsoft Windows. You will need
your Windows install disk(s).

On the cutter server

1. Select Start -> Settings -> Printers -> Add Printer for Windows 98/ME/2000,
or select Start -> Printers and Faxes ->Add Printer for Windows XP.
2. Select Local Printer, and the port your Cutter is connected to, eg LPT1:
3. Select the Generic manufacturer and Generic / Text Only printer.

4. Select an appropriate name for your printer, eg: SignTools

5. Follow any further screen prompts to complete the operation, note that you do not
need to set the printer as default.

Copyright © 1998 - 2004 A Signs

All rights reserved

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or

means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise
without prior written consent of A Signs.
 USER GUIDE
EXTRACT
2) Sharing the Generic / Text Only printer on the Cutter Server
1. On the Cutter Server, select Start -> Settings -> Printers for Windows 98/ME/2000,
or select Start -> Printers and Faxes for Windows XP.
2. Right-Click on your newly installed Generic Printer, select Sharing
3. Select the Shared option.
4. The shared name will default (eg SignTools), or you may select a different name if you
wish, select OK. Your cutter should now be shared. You may verify this by browsing the
Network Neighborhood, and seeing the shared cutter on the network.

3) Installing and configuring SignTools on the Client Computer

1. Install SignTools on the Client computer - follow the standard install instructions on
page 6 of this manual.
2. Start SignTools, select Cut -> Settings
3. Select your cutter from the drop down list, and in the port settings select the
Network option.
4. Enter the Server Name (this will be the Computer Name of your Cutter server).
If you are unsure, check your Network settings on the Cutter Server, ie Select
Start -> Settings -> Control Panel, double-click on the Network icon.
5. Enter the Printer Name. This will be the shared name you have given your cutter.
See section 2) 4) above. Click OK.

On the client computer you should now be able to use SignTools in the
usual manner, with jobs being sent to your Shared Cutter.

Copyright © 1998 - 2004 A Signs

All rights reserved

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or

means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise
without prior written consent of A Signs.