How To Use Fluid Mask In CADlink Software

00:00:09

1. Use Fluid Mask to remove image backgrounds for printing, contour cutting, white ink printing, and laser engraving.
2. Note that Fluid Mask is available as an integrated feature or add-on depending on the CADlink package.
3. Confirm Fluid Mask availability for Digital Factory, SignLab, and EngraveLab.
4. Use Fluid Mask to handle complex edges such as fine hair and detailed shapes.

00:01:05

1. In Digital Factory:
2. Select the job in the queue.
3. Click the Jobs menu.
4. Select Edit with Fluid Mask.
5. In SignLab or EngraveLab:
6. Select the graphic on the work area.
7. Click Image from the top menu.
8. Select Fluid Mask.

00:01:41

1. Select Edit with Fluid Mask.
2. Allow the Fluid Mask application to launch.
3. Confirm the selected file loads automatically.
4. Observe blue outlines representing areas of similar color tones.

00:01:41

1. Adjust the edge detail percentage: Lower percentage creates fewer outline groups
2. Select an Edge Blending option: Medium for most jobs
3. Toggle edge visibility using the control at the bottom of the dialog.
4. Adjust mask opacity as needed.

• Higher percentage creates more detailed edge groups
• Feather for gradual transitions
• Smart for strong color or pattern separation

00:02:10

1. Adjust brush size using the slider in the top-left corner.
2. Use the [ and ] keys to decrease or increase brush size.
3. Use the hand tool and zoom tool for navigation.

00:02:39

1. Use Keep, Delete, and Blend brushes with: Exact mode for precise edits
2. Use additional tools: Erase
3. Use Select tool, Clean tool, Hand tool, and Zoom tool.
4. Use Select Background Color and Create Cutout buttons to finalize output.
5. Access the Color Workspace button when needed.

• Local mode for flood-fill behavior
• Patch tools
• Forced Edge tool
• Color sampler
• Preview cutout tool

00:03:14

1. Select the Delete Local brush.
2. Set brush size to 153 pixels.
3. Click background areas around the subject to mark for deletion.
4. Switch to Delete Exact brush.
5. Remove unwanted areas such as small artifacts.
6. Go to the Image menu.
7. Select Autofill with Keep.
8. Use Delete Exact brush to clean blended areas if needed.
9. Set background to the transparent checker pattern.
10. Click Create Cutout.
11. Go to the File menu.
12. Select Save and Apply.

00:04:14

1. Return to the originating CADlink application.
2. Apply contour cut lines if required.
3. Print or engrave the job without the background.

00:04:14

1. Select the Exact Blend brush.
2. Set brush size to 40 pixels.
3. Brush over fine hair areas.
4. Protect the blended mask using the Protect Mask option.
5. Select the Delete Local brush.
6. Delete background panels behind the subject.
7. Go to the Image menu.
8. Select Autofill with Keep.
9. Use Delete Exact brush to clean remaining blended areas.
10. Set background to checker pattern.
11. Click Create Cutout.
12. Zoom in to inspect fine hair details.

00:05:18

1. Use CADlink automated white underbase features.
2. Print onto colored objects or garments using the masked image.

00:05:49

1. Import the job into Fluid Mask.
2. Open the Color Workspace using the bottom tool palette icon.
3. Select Histogram mode.
4. Set graph type to Hue.
5. Click the tallest histogram column to select dominant colors.
6. Hold Shift and click adjacent columns to include similar colors.
7. Select Add Delete Mask to Colors tool.
8. Close the Color Workspace dialog.

00:06:46

1. Confirm Delete Local brush is active.
2. Review red-highlighted delete areas.
3. Go to the Image menu.
4. Select Autofill with Keep.
5. Confirm kept areas appear green.
6. Set background to checker pattern.
7. Click Create Cutout.

00:07:13

1. Use the transparent output for: Contour cutting
2. Apply the cutout across CADlink software workflows.

• Sticker production
• Printing
• Engraving