Layer convention by operation
CORTE, VINCO, GRAVAR and REFERENCIA, with color, line width and rules written in a file that the macro and the preflight read.
Deliverable: the shop's convention in JSONOcto for cutting and engraving
The script checks the file. The machine is started by the operator.
On the laser, the driver decides whether to cut or engrave by line width and color; on the plotter, only the outline exists; on the CNC, an open curve does not become a part. Octo standardizes layers and lines with a CorelDRAW macro, checks exported artwork before the queue, builds signage plates on sheets from a spreadsheet and separates vinyl by color. Power, speed, material and releasing the machine stay with people.
Pen colors in PLT8and only outlines are exported
HPGL scale1,016plotter units per inch
Sources13listed at the end of the page
01
What Octo does before the machine.
Six possible deliverables, drawn from the survey. All of them work on a copy of the artwork, all of them check the result by the file's content, and none sends anything to the machine.
Prep macro in CorelDRAW
On the _corte.cdr copy: color and line per layer, text to curves, open curves flagged, document unit restored and a single undo.
Cutting preflight on SVG
Thick line, wrong color, open path, live text, bitmap, duplicate, tiny object and out of bounds, with no CorelDRAW open and without changing anything.
Deliverable: findings per object and file held or releasedSignage plates in batch
A spreadsheet of texts becomes sheets with outline and cut holes, engraving text and part code; text that does not fit becomes a pending item.
Deliverable: SVG sheets, sheet map and pending itemsVinyl separated by color
Text to curves, one layer per fill color, segments joined, paths ordered so the blade travels less and one HPGL per color.
Deliverable: cut files with sha256 and lengthMachine and driver inventory
Which machines, drivers and color tables each shop uses, and which line limits were measured on the bench with the operator.
Deliverable: table of measured limits per machine
02
Eight arms, one predictable file.
The same Octo cycle, applied to cutting prep. Each arm has a narrow role; people approve the artwork, choose the power and start the machine.
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Discovery
Maps what already exists
Machines, drivers, color tables and layer conventions in use, and where the artwork comes from.
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Data
Writes the convention
Layers, colors, maximum line width, smallest object and usable area in a file that the macro and the preflight read.
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Security
Works only on the copy
The macro refuses the original file; nothing is sent to the machine; names on name plates handled with the data protection officer.
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Architecture
Chooses the path
Macro in CorelDRAW, checking on SVG, Inkscape and vpype, or COM on a workstation with licensed CorelDRAW.
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Development
Writes the macro and the scripts
Prep, preflight and generators, with the source of each rule noted in the file.
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Review
Checks by content
A file with a known error must be held; a fictitious batch must yield the expected number of sheets. "It exported" is not a check.
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Release
Delivers to the queue
Checked files and report in the queue folder. Cutting is the operator's decision.
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Documentation
Records what applies in the shop
The convention, the line limits measured on the bench per machine and who approved each batch.
Octo prepares and checks the file. It does not operate the machine, does not choose power or speed and does not approve artwork.
03
Each task, its own path.
The criteria Octo uses to choose, with the documented limit of each path.
| Task | Path | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Standardize layers, colors and hairline | VBA macro in CorelDRAW | Only on the copy; a single undo |
| Convert text to curves | VBA macro or headless Inkscape | Original text stays in the source artwork |
| Check exported artwork | Python on SVG | No license, no interface, read-only |
| Generate plates from a spreadsheet | Python generates SVG per sheet | Pending item when the text does not fit |
| Separate vinyl by color | Inkscape + vpype | One HPGL per color; test cut |
| Export to plotter or cutter | PLT (HPGL) or DXF | Outlines only; eight pen colors in PLT |
| Vectorize a received logo | PowerTRACE | Centerline or outline; human review |
Process a folder of .cdr | COM on a workstation with CorelDRAW | License and logged-in user |
| Compensate for kerf | Offset in the drawing or in CAM | In one place only, decided by the operator |
| Send to the machine | Driver or manufacturer software | Always with the operator |
04
From the error on the bed to the checked file.
Three steps. Each one only makes sense after the previous one has shown results in your shop.
A proposal, not a promise
Convention and preflight
The shop writes the convention and Octo checks the queue against it, without changing anything.
- Layer convention in a file
- Findings per object
- Line limits measured on the bench
Macro-based prep
The macro applies the convention to the artwork copy; the preflight confirms it.
- Color and line per layer
- Text to curves
- Report per file
Batches from data
Plates, tags and vinyl generated from a spreadsheet and master artwork, with pending items and sheets counted.
- Sheets built and counted
- Vinyl separated by color
- Who approved each batch
05
Confirmed in a source.
Each point below has a source published by Corel, Microsoft, the open-source project or the responsible body. Object and method names are checked in the Object Browser of the installed version. The sources are in the next section.
5
points with a published source, each with its reference shown alongside.
- ConfirmedPLT carries outlines only, in eight colors
- Only outlines are exported; colors limited to black, blue, red, green, magenta, yellow, cyan and brown; Bézier curves become straight segments; 1,016 units per inch.Source: CorelDRAW 2026 help, HPGL Plotter File
- ConfirmedHPGL or DXF for cutters
- The help recommends HPGL or outline DXF formats for plotters and computer-controlled cutters.Source: CorelDRAW 2026 help, recommended formats for exporting
- ConfirmedVersion 2026 and updates
- CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2026, with updates 27.1 (July 2026, includes a fix for importing large DWG and DXF files) and 27.2 (September 2026). Subscription or one-time purchase.Source: coreldraw.com, updates and product page
- ConfirmedHeadless text to curves
- Inkscape 1.4 converts text to curves on export (
--export-text-to-path) and saves SVG without editor namespaces (--export-plain-svg).Source: Inkscape 1.4 man page (Debian trixie) - ConfirmedThe macro's unit is not the screen's
- The width read by a macro depends on
ActiveDocument.Unit; the developer forum recommends converting or restoring the original unit.Source: community.coreldraw.com, developer forum
06
What Octo does and what stays with you.
Octo prepares everything, but it does not sign. The document of record stays with whoever is accountable for it.
Octo prepares
Surveys, calculates, organizes and generates the files: cut outlines, layers by color, checklists and reports.
Deliverable: material ready to checkYour team checks
The designer or the client approves the text and artwork. The operator checks material, power and speed and runs the test cut before the batch.
Step: test cut by the operatorWho approves
Octo does not operate the machine or set power or speed. Artwork approval stays with the client or the art director; the machine, with the operator.
Approval: client, art director and operator
07
Sources.
Official Corel pages (product, updates, help and developer forum) and open tools, consulted on Oct 31, 2026.
- CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2026Product announcement
- Version 2026 updates27.1 and 27.2; DXF and DWG
- Product pageSubscription and one-time purchase
- CorelDRAW 2026 requirementsWindows
- HPGL Plotter File (PLT)2026 help: outlines, eight colors, scale
- Recommended formats for exporting2026 help: HPGL and DXF for cutters
- Convert outline to object2021 help
- Trace bitmapsCenterline and outline
- Inkscape 1.4, man pageCommand line
- vpype, documentationPlotter pipeline
- vpype, command referenceread --attr, forlayer, stat, write
- Inkscape 1.4 DXF extensionorg.ekips.output.dxf_outlines
- vpype on GitHubMIT, HPGL
Your cutting queue, checked before the bed.
The assessment starts with the convention your shop already uses and a read-only preflight on a sample of artwork. You get the list of what would stall the machine, what depends on whom and the questions only your operator can answer.