We have tried to make this software available for as many devices and browsers as possible. It is possible that you may encounter issues with older browsers which we can't avoid. If you come across a bug or other problem you don't think should occur, please let us know so we can try to correct it. Please remember this software is under ongoing development.
Users can now optionally sign up for an account which then stores all saved chip set data remotely. You must sign up before you can log in for the first time. If you have locally saved sets then on successful registration you will be prompted to copy them to remote storage. Your local storage of existing sets will stay intact whether you migrate or not and will be visible/available to edit when you are logged out. If you are logged in you are always working with remote storage, if you are logged out then it is always local. You can transmit data between the local and remote storage at any time using the 'Share Set' function. Users will be logged-in automatically after successful registration. Note that all inlay images, whether set data is local or remote, are and have always been stored remotely, and will expire shortly after one year from uploading.
To return to the main left hand menu from any specific option page, click the close button at the top left. Refreshing the screen or using the back button will cause the tool to reload and you will lose any unsaved data.
The software comes with 3 pre-loaded inlays. Other inlay designs can be uploaded by clicking the Add images button or dragging an image into the box provided. Uploaded inlays will be added to the list below, and can be selected for the current chip being worked on via the radio button next to them, and deleted if no longer required by clicking the waste basket icon to the left. Inlay shape can be selected on the same page. Note that not all inlays are recommended for every mold, and you will see a warning if you select a combination not recommended by CPC. That does not necessarily mean the combination is not available, but you should check with CPC to confirm the results will be acceptable.
Within ‘Inlay’ you can select whether your chips will be single or double sided. Use this option if one or more chips are double sided. Within ‘View’ you can flip between the view of the Fronts or Backs. Under ‘Save as PNG’ you can select whether to output both sides in one file or just the current view.
This option allows you to load any previously saved chip sets. The default option clears the currently loaded set so please be careful to save any work. Uploaded images are saved on the same server as the software so it is not currently possible to load a set that you may have created on a different device.
Allows you to save the set currently being worked on, either by overwriting an older version of the same set, or as a new set with name of your choice. Please make sure the current 'main' chip being worked on has been saved to the set shown at the bottom of the screen first if required.
Allows deletion of any previously saved set.
This allows you to select existing saved sets and generate a link so they can be imported by other users (or opened on your other devices if you are not an account holder). Sharing will automatically save the shared sets to remote storage, so this option can be used if you did not migrate all files when signing up for an account.
Option to view or hide the textual chip information on both the working screen and output files.
Spot Levels, which partly determine pricing, are shown (L2 etc.) after the spot name, and refer to the levels shown in the pricing table on this page
A choice of different colored backgrounds for the working screen and output files.
Creates an output .png file of either the current main chip or all chips in the current set. The .png file will open in a new tab of the current browser from where it can be saved to your local device (typically by right clicking and 'saving as'). The default actual size output scale is 0.75.
Toggles between fullscreen and fixed size for those browsers which support this option. Note that the software is designed to work without the need for full screen anyway.
Dropdown selects from 39mm & 44mm size options.
Dropdown lists and selects the molds available for the selected chip size. You can also use the arrows to scroll through the options.
Dropdown lists all main spot combinations available for the selected chip size by groups. For example 414+ will allow you to design for spot combinations 414, 4A14 & 4Q14, The textual chip information on the main screen will show you the specific combination selected. Other more complex patterns may be possible but are too numerous to provide for here. You can also use the arrows to scroll through the options.
Firstly, you can select the object (B=base, 1=spot 1 etc.) that you wish to set the color for. Then select the required color for that object from the 38 color swatches shown. These are the current 38 CPC clay colors.
Dropdown allows you to select any current objects where editing is possible. Selections grayed out are not available for the current chip. Applicable options for rotation, positioning and sizing are provided. The reset button will return those object settings to their default position.
Click on the main chip to see options for saving it as a new chip in the set (which will appear as small icons below the main chip), or to overwrite an existing chip in the set (for example, when editing).
Click on the small chip icons in the current set to allow any chip to be loaded to the main screen for editing, or to alter its position in the set, or to delete. IMPORTANT - remember to Save Set from the left menu if you want to be able to reload it in future once the session is closed.
A caution warning will appear in the top right corner of the main screen if either an inlay size is selected that is not recommended for the current mold, or a color/spot combination has been selected that may cause an increased risk of 'split spots'. You can click on the caution to view the warnings and see the explanation of split spots here. All cautions will also be shown on the .png output files.
Please be aware that while we have made every effort to make the designs and colors as accurate as
possible, they may vary slightly from the finished chips as all monitors and printers produce different
results. If the preciseness of colors is important, please order color sample chips from CPC.
Note that the submission of an order created using this software in no way obligates CPC to accept
that order.
In order to manufacture any chips, separate high resolution artwork files need to be provided for all inlay designs and these will be subject to CPC printing tolerances and specifications.
Copyright 2015 CPC, J5, PCF & Vitaliy Shirokiy. All rights reserved.
Large scale values (>0.75)
may cause a problems in
some browsers. Please, save
your progress before you
try to use the large values.