Multiple pass raster in Corel

[Dieter Henss]

I am trying to set up a graphic so that when I send it to the laser I will get multiple raster passes. The only way I have found so far is to this is to hit the start button on the printer again. I have tried to put two identical items on top of each other in different colors, with this I only get the output from the top color. I have tried to put the items on different layers, again I only get the top item. My goal is to create a graphic that contains multiple raster passes, and one vector pass. Any comments or suggestions are welcome.

Thanks for all the help in advance.

Dieter

[Dan Hintz]

If it's a B/W image, make your copy a different color and assign it to a second raster. For example, on my ULS I could make 8 overlaid copies in red, green, blue, etc. and have all of them set to 'raster'. Then I'd get 8 runs of the same image.

If the image is grayscale and/or you're using 3D mode, you'll have to hit the 'go' button a second time.

[Bill Jermyn]

I would print as raster only, press the start button twice, then print vector only. Would that work?

[Scott Shepherd]

What machine do you have?

[Dieter Henss]

Thanks for all the quick replies.

I have a Universal V-460 with a 50 watt laser, and not too sure which version of the driver (not at that machine right now).

The reason for the request is that I am playing around with 3D and MDF. I have found that the lower power setting give me less char on the edges, but do less to the material. So my thought is to do multiple passes to achieve the results of the higher power settings.

Dieter

[Dieter Henss]

Dan,

Thanks for the suggestion. I tried the multi color idea, and only the top most color prints. I even tried to put each color on different layers, and again only the top most color prints.

Dieter

[onur cakir]

Hi Dieter,

On print dialogs box set "number of copies" to 2. That should trigger laser for 2 passes.

[Richard Rumancik]

On print dialogs box set "number of copies" to 2. That should trigger laser for 2 passes.

But won't that duplicate the vector cuts as well? He wants multiple raster passes and a single vector.

This sounds like it would be useful to do, I have used the workaround methods on my system but you'd think you could "embed" the 2nd (or 3rd) pass right in the file. On my LaserPro I am not sure if it is possible. . . from what I remember, it seems like it combines all bitmaps into one and "flattens" it to a single pass.

Would be nice if the driver allowed you to enter "number of passes" on a layer by layer basis. Then you would not even have to doctor the file up with overlapping images.

[Scott Shepherd]

On the ULS, you should be able to just copy it, make it a different color (make sure that color is on the ULS color palette) and then print it. Also, make sure that color is set to Raster and that it's all set right. I've done that numerous times, so I know it'll work. Something simple you're missing, I think. Double check all those settings and make sure the 2nd color is setup right and you should be good to go.

[Rodne Gold]

Surely the 3d function works only with greyscale?
I cant see how assigning it to different colours will result in multiple passes?
I would run the greyscale and vectors as 2 sep files and just repeat the greyscale till you get the depth
or
Run the greyscale with a lot of power , then run a "polishing pass" , which is a pass at much lower power and higher speed to "clean" the char.
3d is not a great option on lasers.
One thing i have never tried , but might work , is to run the mdf wet or damp - might reduce char.
Otherwise perhaps use a brass bristeled cleaning brush on it after to scour off the char?

[Michael Wintermute]

I copy anything that I want repeated on to page 2 , 3 ,etc, then set the laser to autostart.
I do this on a Xenetech.
Mike

[Dieter Henss]

Thanks for all the great comments.

I tried a little test. On my page I put a circle and a square. The circle I made red and the square I made green. I set my speed and power for both colors and made sure they were both set up as raster. When I hit the start button, the circle prints completely, and then the square prints.

If I take the square and cover the right half of the circle, the left half of the circle prints, and then the square prints.

Looking around in Corel’s help section, I found some information about overprinting. I tried the settings as shown with no luck, the left side of the circle prints, and then the square.

I am eager to find a way to make this work, so keep up the good suggestions.

Dieter

[Scott Shepherd]

Contact ULS about it. I think you have something set wrong. As mentioned before, I do this from time to time and haven't experienced the issues you are mentioning. I don't have the same model machine as you do, so I can't be sure it's the same, but an email to ULS or a call to them should answer this really quickly.

[Dan Hintz]

Hmmm, as Steve said, something isn't set up correctly. Even with vector optimization (which should have no effect on raster), the unit should finish with an entire color before moving on to the next.

[Dieter Henss]

Dan and Scott,

When a job that contains multi colors is sent to the machine each color is fully printed before the next color starts. The only exception to this is when one color covers part of another color. In this case the lower object is printed as if it stops where the top object starts. Then when the color for the top object starts, that object is fully printed.

Dieter