Step 1: Creating Printing Data

Measure the printing size of the object, set the printing area, and then create print data.
MEMO Follow the procedure below to operate FlexiDESIGNER Ver. 22.0.0, build number 4176. Operation methods may vary depending on the version of FlexiDESIGNER.
Procedure
  1. Measure the printing area (print surface of the object).
    This is necessary to set the printing area. Make a note of the measurement when you take it. The printing area of the acrylic stand is 130 mm (5.12 in.) wide and 90 mm (3.54 in.) long when placed horizontally. Put the cropped photo and message in this printing era, mirror it, and then print it.
  2. Start FlexiDESIGNER.
    1. Start Roland DG Connect Hub.
      • Windows 11
        1. Click Start - All apps.
        2. From the list of apps (programs), click Roland DG Corporation - Roland DG Connect Hub.
      • Windows 10
        1. Click Start.
        2. From the list of apps (programs), click Roland DG Corporation - Roland DG Connect Hub.
    2. Click the machine (BD-8) to use.
    3. Click Open for FlexiDESIGNER.
  3. Set the printing area according to the procedure below.
    1. Click the BD-8_Flexi-Icon_DesignCentral icon (A).
      The DesignCentral dialog box (B) opens.
    2. On the BD-8_Flexi-Icon_Documents tab (C), click the pull-down menu [▼], and then select Custom.
    3. Enter the printing area (130 mm × 90 mm [5.12 in. × 3.54 in.]).
      A printing area frame (D) is created in the design area.
    BD-8_Flexi_AcrylStand1
  4. Create data for printing.
    Here, the photos are imported, sized, and trimmed. The message is then added, the photo and text are mirrored, and then a white plate is created to prevent the colors of the printed object from showing through.
    1. Save the photo data to your computer.
    2. Click File - Import..., select the saved photo data, and then click Import....
      The blue dashed frame of the photo data size is displayed in the window.
    3. Click the desired location, and then paste the photo data into the design area.
      MEMO If the photo data size is large, use BD-8_Flexi-Icon_ZoomOutZoom Out or "Ctrl + Scroll" or other means to view the entire photo data.
    4. Select the photo data, and then adjust the size.
      1. Select the loaded photo data.
      2. In the DesignCentral dialog box, select the Proportional check box.
      3. Enter a size close to that of the printing area and then press Enter.
        Adjust the size based on the size of the image to be trimmed. Here, set a width of 150 mm (5.90 in.) for the printing area (130 mm × 90 mm [5.12 in., 3.54 in.]).
        BD-8_Flexi_AcrylStand2
    5. Perform trimming.
      1. Hold down BD-8_Flexi-Icon_FigureRectangle Tool, and then select BD-8_Flexi-Icon_OvalOval Tool.
        Since this frame will be used as an outer frame for trimming, click BD-8_Flexi-Icon_PaintLineEdit and then configure the settings as follows.
        • BD-8_Flexi-Icon_Paint tab:No fill
        • BD-8_Flexi-Icon_Senshu tab: Type of line: Solid line; Line color: Red
      2. Select the BD-8_Flexi-Icon_SelectSelect Tool, and then move the frame to determine the position to be trimmed.
      3. With the image and frame selected with the selection tool, click Arrange - Mask - Mask.

        The image is trimmed with a red line.

      4. Use the [Select Tool] to move the photo to the frame of the printing area and check that there are no problems with the size.

        Zoom in/out using the DesignCentral dialog box or the interface item around the selected photo.

    6. Place the message.
      1. Select the BD-8_Flexi-Icon_TextText Tool.
      2. Click a location close to where you want to enter the text, and then enter the text.
      3. Click BD-8_Flexi-Icon_SelectSelect Tool, and select the text entry.
      4. Click the BD-8_Flexi-Icon_DesignCentralText tab in the DesignCentral dialog box, and then adjust the font and size.
      5. Use BD-8_Flexi-Icon_SelectSelect Tool and select the message, then click Arrange - Convert to Outlines.

        The message text are converted to the state of shapes (they do not change in appearance) so they can be mirrored.

      6. Change the color and lines of the Fill/Stroke Editor dialog box.
    7. Mirror the photo and message.
      1. Select the photo and message in the BD-8_Flexi-Icon_SelectSelect Tool.
      2. Click Arrange - MIrror..., and then press Enter.

        The photo will be inverted, centered on the right side.

    8. With the image and message selected, click Arrange - Align - Vertical Center to Page.
      BD-8_Flexi_AcrylStand3
      The selected photo and message will be placed in the vertical center of the printing area.
  5. Click File - Save to save the data.