FineCut 8 for Illustrator: The Best Plug-in Software for Mimaki Cutting and Printing
How to Download FineCut 8 for Illustrator
If you are looking for a powerful and versatile software that can help you design, cut, and print with your Mimaki devices, you might want to check out FineCut 8 for Illustrator. FineCut 8 is a plug-in software that works with Adobe Illustrator, one of the most popular vector graphics editors in the world. With FineCut 8, you can create cutting data on Illustrator and send it to your Mimaki devices with ease. You can also enjoy various features and benefits that FineCut 8 offers, such as cutting start position specification, overcut function, register mark creation, and more.
download finecut 8 for illustrator
In this article, we will show you how to download FineCut 8 for Illustrator, how to install and activate it, how to use it, and how to upgrade to FineCut 9 for Illustrator. By the end of this article, you will be able to use FineCut 8 for Illustrator like a pro and make the most out of your Mimaki devices.
What is FineCut 8?
FineCut 8 is a plug-in software that enables you to design and create cutting data on Adobe Illustrator and send it to your Mimaki devices. It supports various Mimaki devices, such as UCJV300 Series, CJV300 Series, CG-FXII Series, CF22-1225, CFL-605RT, CF2 Series, CF3 Series, DC Series, and more. You can check the full list of supported devices on the Mimaki website.
FineCut 8 is compatible with Adobe Illustrator versions from 8.0.1 to CC2018. However, it does not support Adobe Illustrator CC2019. If you want to use FineCut with Adobe Illustrator CC2019 or later versions, you need to upgrade to FineCut 9 for Illustrator.
Features of FineCut 8
FineCut 8 has many features that can help you design and create cutting data on Illustrator more efficiently and accurately. Some of the main features are:
Cutting Start Position Specification: You can specify the cutting start position on your design by using a special mark or by clicking on the desired point.
Overcut Function: You can set the overcut distance for each corner or curve on your design to prevent incomplete cutting.
Register Mark Creation: You can create register marks on your design automatically or manually to align the cutting data with the printed data.
Cut and Print Function: You can cut and print your design with one operation by using a Mimaki device that supports both functions.
Cut Line Creation: You can create cut lines on your design by using various tools, such as line tool, rectangle tool, circle tool, polygon tool, freehand tool, etc.
Cut Line Editing: You can edit the cut lines on your design by using various tools, such as move tool, rotate tool, scale tool, mirror tool, join tool, divide tool, etc.
Cut Line Output: You can output the cut lines on your design by using various options, such as cut and print, cut only, print only, etc.
Cut Line Preview: You can preview the cut lines on your design by using various options, such as show/hide cut lines, show/hide register marks, show/hide cutting start position, etc.
Cut Line Simulation: You can simulate the cutting process on your design by using various options, such as speed, acceleration, blade offset, etc.
Benefits of FineCut 8
FineCut 8 has many benefits that can help you improve your workflow and productivity with your Mimaki devices. Some of the main benefits are:
Easy and Intuitive Interface: FineCut 8 has an easy and intuitive interface that allows you to access all the functions and settings from the Illustrator menu or toolbar.
Seamless Integration with Illustrator: FineCut 8 integrates seamlessly with Illustrator, allowing you to use all the features and tools of Illustrator to create and edit your designs.
High-Quality and Accurate Cutting: FineCut 8 ensures high-quality and accurate cutting by using advanced algorithms and settings that optimize the cutting data for your Mimaki devices.
Time and Cost Saving: FineCut 8 saves you time and cost by enabling you to design, cut, and print with one software and one device, eliminating the need for multiple software and devices.
Versatile and Flexible: FineCut 8 is versatile and flexible, allowing you to work with various types of materials, such as vinyl, paper, cardboard, fabric, etc., and various types of applications, such as signs, stickers, labels, decals, etc.
How to Install FineCut 8 for Illustrator
Now that you know what FineCut 8 is and what it can do for you, let's see how to install it on your computer. Before you install FineCut 8 for Illustrator, you need to make sure that you meet the system requirements and that you have the installation file and the serial number ready.
System Requirements
The system requirements for FineCut 8 for Illustrator are as follows:
Operating System
Adobe Illustrator Version
CPU
Memory
HDD Space
Windows 10/8.1/7 (32/64 bit)
8.0.1 - CC2018 (32/64 bit)
Pentium 4 or higher
1 GB or more
100 MB or more
Mac OS X 10.6 - 10.13 (64 bit)
CS5 - CC2018 (64 bit)
Intel Core 2 Duo or higher
1 GB or more
100 MB or more
Installation Steps
The installation steps for FineCut 8 for Illustrator are as follows:
Download the installation file from the Mimaki website: You can download the installation file from the download page. Choose the appropriate file for your operating system and Illustrator version. For example, if you are using Windows 10 and Illustrator CC2018, you need to download the file named "FineCut8_for_AI_Win_Ver851.zip". Save the file to your computer.
Extract the installation file: You need to extract the installation file before you can run it. To do this, right-click on the file and select "Extract All". Choose a destination folder for the extracted files and click "Extract". A new folder with the same name as the file will be created in the destination folder.
Run the installation file: To run the installation file, open the extracted folder and double-click on the file named "setup.exe" (for Windows) or "FineCut Installer" (for Mac). A dialog box will appear asking you to select a language. Choose your preferred language and click "OK". The installation wizard will start.
Follow the installation wizard instructions: The installation wizard will guide you through the installation process. You need to accept the license agreement, choose a destination folder for the program files, enter your serial number (which you can find on the product package or on the Mimaki website)), and confirm the installation settings. Click "Next" or "Install" to proceed with the installation. Wait for the installation to complete.
Restart your computer: After the installation is finished, you need to restart your computer to apply the changes. Click "Finish" or "Restart" to exit the installation wizard and restart your computer.
Activation Steps
The activation steps for FineCut 8 for Illustrator are as follows:
Launch Illustrator: After restarting your computer, launch Illustrator from the Start menu (for Windows) or the Applications folder (for Mac).
Select FineCut 8 from the Illustrator menu: On the Illustrator menu, select "FineCut8" and then "About FineCut8". A dialog box will appear showing the version and serial number of FineCut 8.
Click on the activation button: On the dialog box, click on the button that says "Activation". A new dialog box will appear asking you to enter your activation code.
Enter your activation code: You can find your activation code on the product package or on the Mimaki website. Enter your activation code in the dialog box and click "OK". A message will appear confirming that your activation is successful.
Close the dialog boxes: Close the dialog boxes by clicking "OK" or "Close". You have successfully activated FineCut 8 for Illustrator.
How to Use FineCut 8 for Illustrator
Now that you have installed and activated FineCut 8 for Illustrator, you can start using it to design and create cutting data on Illustrator and send it to your Mimaki devices. Here are some of the basic steps on how to use FineCut 8 for Illustrator:
Design and Create Cutting Data on Illustrator
To design and create cutting data on Illustrator, you need to follow these steps:
Create a new document or open an existing one: On Illustrator, create a new document or open an existing one that you want to use for cutting. Make sure that the document size and orientation match the size and orientation of the material that you want to cut.
Create or import your design: On Illustrator, create or import your design that you want to cut. You can use any of the tools and features of Illustrator to create or edit your design, such as drawing tools, text tools, color tools, effects tools, etc.
Create cut lines on your design: On Illustrator, create cut lines on your design by using FineCut 8. To do this, select "FineCut8" from the Illustrator menu and then select "Create Cut Line". A dialog box will appear showing various options for creating cut lines. You can choose from different types of cut lines, such as line tool, rectangle tool, circle tool, polygon tool, freehand tool, etc. You can also adjust various settings for creating cut lines, such as line width, line color, line type, etc. Click "OK" to create cut lines on your design.
Edit cut lines on your design: On Illustrator, edit cut lines on your design by using FineCut 8. To do this, select "FineCut8" from the Illustrator menu and then select "Edit Cut Line". A dialog box will appear showing various options for editing cut lines. You can choose from different types of tools, such as move tool, rotate tool, scale tool, mirror tool, join tool, divide tool, etc. You can also adjust various settings for editing cut lines, such as overcut distance, blade offset, corner quality, etc. Click "OK" to edit cut lines on your design.
Create register marks on your design: On Illustrator, create register marks on your design by using FineCut 8. To do this, select "FineCut8" from the Illustrator menu and then select "Create Register Mark". A dialog box will appear showing various options for creating register marks. You can choose from different types of register marks, such as standard mark, cross mark, or barcode mark. You can also adjust various settings for creating register marks, such as mark size, mark position, mark color, mark number, etc. Click "OK" to create register marks on your design.
Preview cut lines and register marks on your design: On Illustrator, preview cut lines and register marks on your design by using FineCut 8. To do this, select "FineCut8" from the Illustrator menu and then select "Preview". A dialog box will appear showing various options for previewing cut lines and register marks. You can choose to show or hide cut lines, register marks, cutting start position, etc. You can also zoom in or out, pan, or rotate the preview. Click "Close" to exit the preview mode.
Save your design as an Illustrator file: On Illustrator, save your design as an Illustrator file by using the standard save function. To do this, select "File" from the Illustrator menu and then select "Save". Choose a name and a location for your file and click "Save". You have successfully created cutting data on Illustrator.
Cut and Print with Mimaki Devices
To cut and print with Mimaki devices, you need to follow these steps:
Connect your Mimaki device to your computer: You need to connect your Mimaki device to your computer by using a USB cable or a network cable. Make sure that your Mimaki device is turned on and that the drivers are installed correctly.
Load the material into your Mimaki device: You need to load the material that you want to cut and print into your Mimaki device. Make sure that the material is aligned properly and that the media sensor is set correctly.
Select FineCut 8 from the Illustrator menu: On Illustrator, select "FineCut8" from the Illustrator menu and then select "Output". A dialog box will appear showing various options for outputting cut lines and register marks.
Select the output mode: On the dialog box, select the output mode that you want to use. You can choose from different output modes, such as cut and print, cut only, print only, etc. Depending on the output mode that you choose, you may need to adjust some settings, such as print quality, print speed, cut speed, cut pressure, etc.
Select the Mimaki device: On the dialog box, select the Mimaki device that you want to use. You can choose from a list of supported devices or search for a device by name or IP address.
Send the cutting data to your Mimaki device: On the dialog box, click "OK" to send the cutting data to your Mimaki device. A message will appear confirming that the data has been sent successfully.
Start the cutting or printing process on your Mimaki device: On your Mimaki device, start the cutting or printing process by pressing the appropriate button. Wait for the process to complete.
Unload the material from your Mimaki device: After the cutting or printing process is finished, unload the material from your Mimaki device. Be careful not to damage the material or the device.
Tips and Tricks for FineCut 8
To use FineCut 8 more effectively and efficiently, here are some tips and tricks that you can try:
Use keyboard shortcuts: You can use keyboard shortcuts to access some of the functions and settings of FineCut 8 more quickly. For example, you can press Ctrl+F (for Windows) or Command+F (for Mac) to open the FineCut 8 menu, Ctrl+Shift+R (for Windows) or Command+Shift+R (for Mac) to create register marks, Ctrl+Shift+C (for Windows) or Command+Shift+C (for Mac) to create cut lines, etc. You can check the full list of keyboard shortcuts on the FineCut 8 manual. You can also customize the keyboard shortcuts by using the "Keyboard Shortcuts" option on the FineCut 8 menu.
Use the simulation function: You can use the simulation function to check how the cutting process will be performed on your design before sending it to your Mimaki device. To do this, select "FineCut8" from the Illustrator menu and then select "Simulation". A dialog box will appear showing various options for simulating the cutting process. You can choose to simulate the cutting speed, acceleration, blade offset, etc. You can also pause, resume, or stop the simulation at any time. Click "Close" to exit the simulation mode.
Use the online information function: You can use the online information function to get the latest information about FineCut 8, such as updates, announcements, tips, etc. To do this, select "FineCut8" from the Illustrator menu and then select "Online Information". A dialog box will appear showing various types of information that you can access. Click on the type of information that you want to see and a web browser will open with the corresponding web page.
How to Upgrade to FineCut 9 for Illustrator
If you want to use FineCut with Adobe Illustrator CC2019 or later versions, you need to upgrade to FineCut 9 for Illustrator. FineCut 9 for Illustrator is the latest version of FineCut that supports Adobe Illustrator CC2019 and CC2020. It has some new features and improvements over FineCut 8, such as:
Support for Adobe Illustrator CC2019 and CC2020: FineCut 9 for Illustrator is compatible with Adobe Illustrator CC2019 and CC2020, allowing you to use FineCut with the latest versions of Illustrator.
Support for Mimaki UCJV300 Series: FineCut 9 for Illustrator supports Mimaki UCJV300 Series, which are integrated print and cut devices that use UV-curable ink.
Improved Cut Line Creation: FineCut 9 for Illustrator has improved the cut line creation function by adding new options, such as offset path, round corner, etc.
Improved Cut Line Editing: FineCut 9 for Illustrator has improved the cut line editing function by adding new options, such as align tool, distribute tool, etc.
Improved Register Mark Creation: FineCut 9 for Illustrator has improved the register mark creation function by adding new options, such as mark size adjustment, mark position adjustment, etc.
Why Upgrade to FineCut 9?
You may wonder why you should upgrade to FineCut 9 for Illustrator if you already have FineCut 8 for Illustrator. Here are some of the reasons why you should upgrade to FineCut 9:
To use FineCut with Adobe Illustrator CC2019 or later versions: If you want to use FineCut with Adobe Illustrator CC2019 or later versions, you need to upgrade to FineCut 9 for Illustrator. FineCut 8 for Illustrator does not support Adobe Illustrator CC2019 or later versions.
To use FineCut with Mimaki UCJV300 Series: If you want to use FineCut with Mimaki UCJV300 Series, which are integrated print and cut devices that use UV-curable ink, you need to upgrade to FineCut 9 for Illustrator. FineCut 8 for Illustrator does not support Mimaki UCJV300 Series.
To enjoy new features and improvements: If you want to enjoy new features and improvements that FineCut 9 for Illustrator offers, such as improved cut line creation and editing, improved register mark creation, etc., you need to upgrade to FineCut 9 for Illustrator. FineCut 8 for Illustrator does not have these features and improvements.
How to Upgrade to FineCut 9 for Free
The good news is that you can upgrade to FineCut 9 for Illustrator for free if you meet certain conditions. The conditions are as follows:
You have a valid serial number of FineCut 8 for Illustrator: You need to have a valid serial number of FineCut 8 for Illustrator that you can find on the product package or on the Mimaki website. You need to enter this serial number when you install or activate FineCut 9 for Illustrator.
You have a supported Mimaki device: You need to have a supported Mimaki device that is compatible with both FineCut 8 and FineCut 9. You can check the list of supported devices on the download page or on the environment page.
You download FineCut 9 for Illustrator from the Mimaki website: You need to download FineCut 9 for Illustrator from the download page. Choose the appropriate file for your operating system and Illustrator