Cutter Marks Pro
Script for Adobe Illustrator
Latest update 5/17/2023, version 1.9
Pro version of the script Cutter Reg Marks adds options for mark shape, swatch both fill or stroke, saved settings, and more.
- Choose layer for marks, or create it
- Choose swatch for marks, or create it
- Separate swatch fill and stroke, process or spot
- Specify mark size and shape round or square
- Alter position of fifth, odd dot
- User-configurable localization
For the InDesign version of this script, see Cutter Marks Pro InDesign.
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use forever
Script adds five registration dots as shown. Pro version includes options for mark size, shape, swatch both fill and stoke, and adjusting position of 5th dot.
How to use the script
The script creates five registration dots that flatbed cutting plotters use to align cuts to the printed content. The marks created are the size, shape, and color specified by the user.
The interface has three sections: Position, Marks, and Settings. Set the desired options and click the OK button to begin.
Section 1: Position
Offset, X and Y — the distance from the left (X) and from the top (Y) marks are placed from the selected reference (set below). Each axis, X and Y, may be set to different values. Set the measurement units in the drop-down list. When units change, values are converted to the equivalent value using the new units.
Relative to — the reference from which marks are placed. Artboard places the marks inside the artboard area, the value of the Offset away from the artboard edge. Layer places the marks outside the selected layer's contents, the value of the Offset away from the contents.
Layer — when Relative to Layer is selected, choose the layer that is the reference. All elements on the layer determine its bounding box, away from which the marks are placed.
Repeat every, X and Y — for very large layouts. In addition to the normal registration dots, this option repeats each corner dot at the interval set separately for the X and Y axes. For normal use to create five dots, leave these inputs zero.
5th dot — indicate which margin, left, top, right, or bottom, the 5th (odd) dot is placed. Then enter a percentage of the distance across or down to offset the mark. The value is a percentage of the distance between marks, from the left when placed in the top or bottom margin, or from the top when placed in the left or right margin.
Randomize position — if enabled, marks are not precisely aligned, rather shifted one point in various directions. Required in some workflows to ensure the cut layer is upright in relation to the printed content.
Section 2: Marks
Size — the size of each mark. Set the measurement units in the drop-down list.
Shape — choose round or square.
Layer — select the layer to which marks are added. The script looks for a layer named “Reg Marks” and selects it if the layer exists. If not, the drop-down list displays the choice [Create layer], which creates a new layer atop all other layers. Or choose another layer.
Name — enabled when the Layer drop-down list is set to [Create layer]. The default name is “Reg Marks”. Use the default or enter another name.
Fill — enable to fill each mark with the swatch selected in the drop-down list. The script looks for a swatch named “Reg Marks” and selects it if the swatch exists. If not, the drop-down list displays the choice [Create swatch], which creates a new swatch. Or choose another swatch.
Overprint — enable to overprint the fill color of each mark.
Name — enabled when the Swatch drop-down list is set to [Create swatch]. The default name is “Reg Marks”. Use the default or enter another name.
Process — the swatch color type is set to Process Color.
Spot — the swatch color type is set to Spot Color.
C M Y K — the swatch color build values, each 0 to 100 percent.
Stroke — enable to stroke each mark with the swatch selected in the drop-down list. The script looks for a swatch named “Reg Marks” and selects it if the swatch exists. If not, the drop-down list displays the choice [Create swatch], which creates a new swatch. Or choose another swatch.
Overprint — enable to overprint the stroke color of each mark.
Name — enabled when the Swatch drop-down list is set to [Create swatch]. The default name is “Reg Marks”. Use the default or enter another name.
Process — the swatch color type is set to Process Color.
Spot — the swatch color type is set to Spot Color.
C M Y K — the swatch color build values, each 0 to 100 percent.
Stroke weight — enter the desired weight (width) of the stroke in points.
Section 3: Settings
The current options may be saved and restored later. Select from the Load drop-down list to choose saved settings, and the current options are updated. Click the Delete button, and the saved settings selected in the Load drop-down list are permanently removed. Click the Save button, provide a name for the settings, and the current options are preserved. If the name already exists, the user may choose to replace the saved settings. Or click the checkbox Replace settings, and choose the settings to replace.
The script provides default saved settings named [Default]. These settings cannot be deleted but may be updated to the current values. Save settings, click the checkbox Replace settings, and choose [Default].
Language
By default the script language is US English, which does not require further download or configuration. To have the script interface display other languages, choose from the available languages below. Download and copy the .i18n file to the script folder alongside the script. When launched, the script detects the language file and displays interface text in that language. If your language is not listed, download the English file and translate it. The file is plain text formatted as JSON, containing interface text in English, and a second value for its translation, which for the English file is the identical text. Copy the file and rename it to replace “en” with the relevant code for your language, then edit the file to change each line’s second value to the translation in your language. For more detailed instructions of how to edit and install i18n files, see How to Localize Scripts.
English: cutter-marks-pro-en-i18n.zip
FREE 30 DAY TRIAL
Single-user perpetual license
Pay once, no subscription, use forever
Change log: cutter-marks-pro.txt
For help installing scripts, see How to Install and Use Scripts in Adobe Creative Cloud Applications.
IMPORTANT: scripts are developed for the latest Adobe Creative Cloud applications. Many scripts work in CC 2018 and later, even some as far back as CS6, but may not perform as expected, or run at all, when used in versions prior to 2018. Photoshop features Select Subject and Preserve Details 2.0 definitely fail prior to CC 2018 (version 19) as the features do not exist in earlier versions. For best results use the latest versions of Adobe Creative Cloud applications.
IMPORTANT: by downloading any of the scripts on this page you agree that the software is provided without any warranty, express or implied. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Always make backups of important data.
IMPORTANT: fees paid for software products are the purchase of a non-exclusive license to use the software product and do not grant the purchaser any degree of ownership of the software code. Author of the intellectual property and copyright holder William Campbell retains 100% ownership of all code used in all software products regardless of the inspiration for the software product design or functionality.
