3M Digital Designspatterns.3m.com/cutx/downloads/DD4InstallationGuide.pdf · Digital Design...

Digital Design Installation Guide 2/8/2017 - 3M Confidential 1

3M™ Digital DesignsInstallation Guide 2/8/2017


Introduction to 3MTM Digital Designs

3M™ Digital Designs is a software system for cutting kits of 3M film for automotive applications. The cut film parts protect vulnerable areas of the vehicles from scratches, chips and stains when they are applied to areas such as the bumper, door and trunk ledges, hood and mirror backs. Installers can download patterns for a specific vehicle make and model and then cut parts that are easy to install.

This Installation guide includes instructions for:

• Downloading the software• Installing the software • Registering the software• Setting up plotters• Viewing patterns • Cutting selected patterns


Installation Guide Table of Contents:

Chapter 1: Installing 3M™ Digital Designs Test Drive Software

6 Download and install the software 14 Running 3MTM Digital Designs for the first time16 Register for test drive software

Chapter 2: Activating 3M™ Digital Designs Full Version

21 Acquire a software activation PIN

23 Unlock software - full version

Chapter 3: Using the 3M™ Digital Designs Software

26 Downloading and viewing patterns34 Configuring the plotter or cutting device36 Performing a test cut40 Cutting a pattern


Before you Install - IMPORTANT:

Please Note: There are two versions of 3M™ Digital Designs software: Test Drive and Full Version. The Test Drive version allows you to evaluate the software with limited functionality, and it limits the number of cuts you can send to a plotter or cutting device to 30. This guide will give you instructions on loading both programs.

If you have any questions contact your 3M Distributor or 3M Sales Representative.

If you have an earlier version of 3M™ Digital Designs software on your computer, it must be uninstalled prior to installing a newer version. Follow the process below to remove any previous software versions:

• Go to Control Panel, Programs & Features.• Select your existing Digital Designs program and click Uninstall• Follow the prompts and restart your computer.• Set Internet Explorer or Google Chrome as your default browser.

Note: 3M™ Digital Designs does not currently support Apple devices. Use “Parallels” to run Windows on your device.

http://www.parallels.com/

http://www.parallels.com/


Chapter 1:Installing 3M™ Digital Designs Test Drive Software2/8/2017

Installing 3M™ Digital Designs Test Drive Software


Download and Install the Software

To begin the software download process, click on the link below, or copy and paste the address into your browser.

http://patterns.3m.com/

On the home page click the REGISTER button

http://patterns.3m.com/




On the register screen select TEST DRIVE under Step One. This will start downloading the 3MTM Digital Designs software.

If you are prompted to choose “SAVE” or “RUN,” choose “SAVE” and choose a destination on your computer where you can easily locate the file after the download is complete.

Once your download finishes find the executable file (3MDD3_WebDemo.exe). Double click to run this file and begin the installation. Follow the on screen prompts and refer to this guide if you need additional assistance.



Once the installation wizard starts, follow the on screen prompts

Select a language from the drop down and click OK

Select Next




Click the button I accept the terms… and select Next. You may print the license agreement if you wish before selecting Next.

You may change the default installation folder however this is NOT recommended. Select Next




Select Full Install then select NextOn the next screen select Next again

Check Yes I would like to upgrade or install cutting devicesSelect Next




In the wizard select the Manufacturer and Output Device that match your plotter, then click Next: This will install the driver for the selected plotter




Click Continue to automatically install fonts from your computer

Click OK to continueOn the next pop-up click OK again. It may take several minutes while it searches your computer for additional fonts. If the process freezes or you do not care about additional fonts from your computer, press the ESC key on your keyboard.




Click Finish to exit the installation wizardIt is recommended that you restart your computer after installing new software




Running 3MTM Digital Designs for the first time

To run 3MTM Digital Designs go to StartSelect All ProgramsSelect the 3M Digital Designs folderSelect 3M Digital Designs



If you already have an activation PIN, please skip to page 20: Chapter 2: Activating 3M™ Digital Designs Full Version

If you wish to use 3MTM Digital Designs in Test Drive mode select No

You will be automatically directed to the 3MTM Digital Designs pattern library server. This will be a browser window and the hompage is shown below. Close this window to return to 3MTM Digital Designs. You will need to find your MSN to complete registration. You MUST register in order to access 3M patterns.

Running 3MTM Digital Designs for the first time



Register for Test Drive Software

To find your Machine Serial Number click on Help in the menu barClick on About Paint Protection…

The Machine Serial Number is at the bottom of the pop up window. Write this down as you will need it to register your software. The MSN will either be 8-10 numeric characters, or 6-8 alpha-numeric characters. Do NOT include the ,0




To return to the 3MTM Digital Designs homepage click File, then Open 3M Sever…from the menu bar within the 3MTM Digital Designs software.

On the homepage click the REGISTER button




Click CREATE USER ID WITH MSN button to create a user profile and password.



Fill in the registration form completely. If you have not purchased an Activation PIN then leave this box blank. Once filled in, click the I accept the Extranet Access AgreementClick Submit to complete the registration process.An e-mail will be sent to the address provided in the registration form once access to 3MTM Digital Designs is approved.After approval, navigate to the homepage and click the LOGIN button using the E-mail Address and password you just created.



Chapter 2:Activating 3M™ Digital Designs Full Version

2/8/2017

Activating 3M™ Digital Designs Full Version


Acquire a Software Activation PIN

To purchase an activation PIN contact your local 3M Distributor or contact your local 3M representative using the instructions below:Navigate to the 3MTM Digital Designs server homepage:INSERT LINK HERESelect REGISTER

On the next page select PURCHASE SOFTWARE ACTIVATION PIN



Acquire a Software Activation PIN

From the drop down menu select your country. The contact information and/or ordering instructions for your country will display on the web page.



Unlock Software Full Version

Once you have an activation PIN you can activate the full version of the software.To run 3M Digital Designs - go to StartSelect All ProgramsSelect the 3M Digital Designs folderSelect 3M Digital Designs



Once 3MTM Digital Designs has launched, click Yes in the pop up window to complete software activation and unlock the full capabilities of the software.

Fill in the form and click Activate SoftwareYour 3MTM Digital Designs software is now running in Full Version mode

Unlock Software Full Version



Chapter 3:Working with 3M™ Digital Designs Software

2/8/2017

Working with 3M™ Digital Designs


Patterns are downloaded from the 3M Server. To get to the server follow these steps:Within 3MTM Digital Designs click File, then Open 3M Sever… from the menu bar within the 3MTM Digital Designs software.

On the homepage click the LOGIN button

Downloading and Viewing Patterns




Use the E-mail address and password you used to register your software in order to login to the Enterprise Network. The E-mail address is your Username. Please include the @domain.### example: [email protected], or [email protected]




To locate a specific pattern you can either click Browse Patterns, or you can enter the Year, Make, Model, Trim of the vehicle in the quick search box. Example: 2015, Ford, Fusion, Titanium.

If you selected Browse Patterns you will narrow the list of patterns with each selection from the drop down menus. The Model and Trim drop downs are inactive until you select a vehicle Make.




Once the desired pattern has been located (example shown is 2016 Ford Fusion Titanium) select the pattern from the list. In this case, there is only one pattern that matches the Library, Year, Make, Model, and Trim selected. This will expand the pattern to view available Face Sheets and Cut Files for that pattern.

Select Download Cut File to save the pattern to your computer so that you can view and cut it within the 3MTM Digital Designs software.



Select the Click to Download Pattern File button to download the pattern to your local drive. By default, this should save to your Downloads folder.

Click the Save button to download the file. Then select a location that you would like to save the file to. Choose somewhere that you can easily navigate to again later.




Once the file has been downloaded click the X in the upper right hand corner of the window to close it.

To return to the 3MTM Digital Designs software, close the web browser by clicking the X in the upper right hand corner of the screen.





To open your downloaded pattern in 3MTM Digital Designs select File, Open Local…

Browse to the saved file, select it, and then select Open




When you open the file in 3MTM Digital Designs, you should see an image similar to the one below. If you do not see this image, press F7 on the keyboard to automatically zoom to show the entire kit.



In the main menu select Cut, Plotting DefaultsIn the pop up window, use the drop down to select the driver that matches your plotterIf you have an option of using HPGL or GPGL, choose HPGL

If your device driver is not listed in the drop down, then in the main menu select File, Install, Cutting Devices. A wizard will open for you to install the driver for your cutting device. If your device is not listed in the wizard, contact your local 3M Distributor.

Configuring the plotter or cutting device



Configuring the plotter or cutting device

Try using the default setting at first, if this does not work, then try changing the Port Location as follows:Click the Setup buttonSelect the Port tabMake sure that the Port Location matches where your plotting device is plugged in. For example, if you are using your plotter via a USB connection, then one of the USB ports should be selected.



The purpose of a test cut is to ensure your computer and your plotter are properly connected, and your plotter settings are working correctly to cut film before you attempt to cut larger patterns. Incorrect settings could lead to wasted material, money, and time. Many cutting devices have a built in [Test Cut] feature. If you are using Digital Designs in Test Drive mode, we suggest using that feature first so that you do not use any of your 30 cuts while setting up your plotter. For more information on your specific cutting device, please refer to your cutting device manufacturer.

• Select a small part from the pattern (like a door cup) or create a small circle and select it by clicking on it, or by dragging the mouse to create a box around the part.

• Selected part or parts will turn RED and will show anchor points around them.

Performing a Test Cut



Select Cut, PlotA cut preview will appear

If you are satisfied with the preview, select Cut Now to send your cut file to the plotter





You should see a box like the one shown below which indicates the software is sending information to the plotter.If the “Bytes sent: 0” never increases or changes, there is a communication problem between the software and the plotter.



Once the cutting device has finished, select Stop Cutting in the dialog boxIf you select the Select button, the software will send the same cut file to plotter again

Select Close from the menu bar to return to the workspace




To cut a pattern, select the parts on screen you wish to cut by clicking and dragging to create a box around the parts

Selected parts will be highlighted in RED and have anchor points (boxes) showing the extent of the selected area

Cutting a Pattern



Just like in the test cut, select Cut, PlotA cut preview will appear

If you are satisfied with the preview, select Cut Now to send your cut file to the plotter

Cutting a Pattern



Once the cutting device has finished, select Stop Cutting in the dialog boxIf you select the Select button, the software will send the same cut file to plotter again

Select Close from the menu bar to return to the workspace

Cutting a Pattern

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