I hope someone has a quick answer to this question.
I am buying another sign company's customer list and job/design files along with their pricing and related files. It's a good deal - but we cut vinyl in Gerber Graphix Advantage ver. 6.2 and they use CadLink's SignLab
So my question is how can we import or open .CDL files with Gerber's software - or will I need to get the SignLab program also in order to open them?
I'm fairly sure I can export them to a useable format later (out of SignLab and into Graphix Advantage) like .eps or the like - but I will need to get them open first to do that!!
Thanks for any advice!!
Posted by Bill Biggs (Member # 18) on :
If you have signlab you can export them as a gad file (gerber artwork definition) then import them into gerbers graphic advantage. However I don't think anyone imports cdl files, they need to be converted to eps or ai files to get into corel. I have sign lab and it has a corel filter, so I can just copy paste signlab into corel and vice versa I believe signlab is a good value. Hope this helped, Bill
Posted by Jay Allen (Member # 195) on :
Just the sort of answer I was looking for, Bill. I thank you very, very much for taking the time to type out the answer.
I'll let you know how we solve this little glitch. Thanks, thanks, thanks again!!!!!!
Posted by Sonny Franks (Member # 588) on :
Jay, I don't know of any other any program that will open and convert .cdl files except Signlab. Since buying the program might be cost prohibitive, maybe a friend with Signlab could convert them for you (or someone in Letterville?) Make sure of the version compatibility, however, as a new file won't open in an older program.
Posted by Henry Barker (Member # 174) on :
Jay,
I have Gerber Omega and Signlab E6, you can import Gerber 6.0 and 6.2 files direct into Signlab, but not vice versa, without changing format.
I use Signlab to drive my router, but still do most work in Omega and have no problem picking up Gerber files in Signlab. Would be glad to help if you need to convert a few, if its loads and loads, there is another option! I did a crossgrade to Signlab a couple of years back at a trade show, I got Signlab 5 Colormaster for well under $1000 as you could already prove you had a "real" sign programme from a competitor. I think they work really well together, Signlab has some really neat features, as does Omega over GA.
They compliment each other, I upgraded to E6.1 but haven't bought the Edge module, I drive that from Omega.
Rob Ivers does a great video/training CD that guides you through all the basics of whichever Signlab you use,should you choose a change. I found that a great help having been all Gerber for many years.
Posted by Doug Allan (Member # 2247) on :
As I'm sure you've already considered, the seller might be the most convenient signlab owner to assist. That way if they have a lot of unconverted fonts that may create difficulty later, they could be opened, converted, & exported one by one from the sellers computer as part of the deal. Sounds like a good job for a responsible teen Posted by Jay Allen (Member # 195) on :
Thank you all for the time and energy in answering. I think I have a plan of attack now - and wouldn't without the experience and advice you've offered me.
This will mean a great deal to my business - so your consideration in answering means far more than you might imagine. Tha last few years have been tough (sound familiar?) - and this may well get us in a position to pay down some of that debt we rang up.
Is thanks enough? It doesn't feel that way - but it comes with sincerity.
Jay
Posted by Kent Smith (Member # 251) on :
Hi Jay,
I have SignLab on mine just for the export features and unusual fonts and find that of all the formats, .ai are the best to export to Gerber from there. I have a source so let me know if you need some help.
Posted by Wesley Lewis (Member # 4642) on :
I have worked with Gerber, SignLab, and Coreldraw. Graphics Advntage in my opion is anything but an advantage. They have already told you about using .ai, .eps,.gad and.jpg. If you you use .ai files you will end up welding fonts and objects back together. I found you can export as .dxf and .cmx from CorelDRAW then import. If you are using Gerber Adv. with newer versions of other software there is no way around all problems. GA is either 8 bit or 16 bit software. In todays world a dinosar of a program. Even if you Gerber Omega you can't open all Advantage File. SL & Corel will save lots of hrs.
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
I did a crossgrade to Signlab a couple of years back at a trade show, I got Signlab 5 Colormaster for well under $1000 as you could already prove you had a "real" sign programme from a competitor. I think they work really well together, Signlab has some really neat features, as does Omega over GA.![[Dunno]](graemlins/dunno.gif)