Once installed, here is a basic workflow to test ECUT:

Step 1: Design your shape. Draw a simple circle or a star in Illustrator.

Step 2: Apply Cut Contour. Select your shape. Go to ECUT > Set Cut Contour. ECUT will duplicate the shape onto a new layer named "CutContour" and color it 100% Magenta (C=0, M=100, Y=0, K=0).

Step 3: Add Registration Marks (for Print & Cut). If you are printing first, go to ECUT > Create Crop Marks. Choose a Type (Type 1 is most common). Adjust the offset (how far the marks are from the artwork). Click "Generate."

Step 4: Configure your Cutter. Go to ECUT > Settings. Select your machine brand (e.g., Roland GS-24). Set your blade offset, cutting force, and speed. (These settings are critical; too much force cuts the backing paper; too little doesn't cut the vinyl).

Step 5: Output. Load your material into the cutter. Ensure the cutter is powered on and connected via USB or Serial. Click ECUT > Output. The plugin will ask you to align the laser pointer (if using registration marks). Then, watch your machine work.

Important: ECUT works on both Windows and Mac, but the installation varies slightly. Always check the version compatibility with your specific Illustrator build (CC 2015 to CC 2024+ are generally supported).

Step-by-Step Installation (Windows):

Step-by-Step Installation (Mac):

Note: Some versions of ECUT are distributed as .ZXP files (Adobe Extension Manager). You will need the Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop App or Anastasiy’s Extension Manager to install these.

ECUT instantly creates a cut line around any shape. It allows you to set:

Need 100 circular stickers on a 20" x 20" sheet? Manually copying and pasting takes minutes. ECUT’s step-and-repeat tool does it in seconds, with precise spacing, gutters, and bleed control. You can even create dynamic "random" layouts for camouflage or textured backgrounds.