Does anybody use Signtool3 three to drive their plotter? Every couple of times that I send a job to my cutter it locks up signtools, then I restart it and it will cut a job or two and do it again.
Any suggestions?
[ December 04, 2006, 11:13 PM: Message edited by: Blake Koehn ]
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
i tried their "demo" in my corel 7(that far back)it messed the contour feature up so bad, removin sign tools demo didnt help. had to wipe h/d and reinstall corel and all other programs.
Posted by Ian Stewart-Koster (Member # 3500) on :
I used to have Signtools 2- the full version- and it was fine. You couldn't plot from it though. Sometimes demos are a different kettle of fish though...
Isn't Andrew a merchant here?
Posted by Blake Koehn (Member # 5984) on :
I am not complaining about sign tools, it is cool plugin... It just has one small problem.
Posted by Laura Butler (Member # 1830) on :
I bought it a long time ago and now don't even bother putting it on a new or re-formatted computer. contour never worked properly. The text was bigger then pop up windows so I could never totally read it...it just kinda ran off the side.
It had some cool stuff and when I contracted the maker they got back with me quickly but I could never get the problems resolved.
Posted by Blake Koehn (Member # 5984) on :
All of you need to download the latest demo. Whatever problems they had earlier, they have fixed.
I use it every day, it makes short work out of things like shadows, outlines, multiple copies and weed borders. I even use it to drive my plotter. It cuts correctly every time and I like the wysiswyg principle that cuts out all the extra steps. The only thing I dislike is that it freaks out after the plot and must be restarted.
Andrew is a merchant here and he has returned my email quickly, however we have not gotten the problem solved yet. I was wondering if it did it for different plotters or just because I am using a piece of @#$% Vinyl Express.
Posted by Andrew Gourvelos (Member # 1425) on :
Hi Blake, I assume that you tried uninstalling CorelDraw, deleting the Corel Directory and re-installing the CorelDraw, before re-installing SignTools. Also does your Vinyl Express (Lynx) cutter give you any errors on the control panel. If so what is the exact error?
At the end of a cut SignTools 3 sends a reset command to the cutter. Perhaps your cutter doesn't like it for some reason. To establish whether this may be the problem, try manually resetting the cutter between plots. You may have to turn the machine off and back on. If this works let me know I will look into writing a new configuration file.
Laura and Joe, since both of you have used SignTools ( full version and demo ) we have fixed the glitches. I recommend that you both try the latest demo version which can be downloaded from the following link:-
Laura, you will be able to activate the demo version with your current SignTools serial number.
Posted by Ian Stewart-Koster (Member # 3500) on :
There's no cheap upgrade from version 2 to 3 is there Andrew? The version 2 I have had a floppy disc with it to make it work with Corel 7 Select Edn. and a book/booklet of all that was in the program.
Actually, does version 2 work with WinXP, or Corel 12? I was using it under Win98se and I haven't tried since then.
Posted by Andrew Gourvelos (Member # 1425) on :
Ian, SignTools 2 will not work with Windows XP or CorelDraw 12. The good news is the upgrade price is only $185 AUD ($145 USD).
Also here is a list of the improvements and new features in SignTools 3.
New Tools
1. Relief Outline - Creates an outline around an object that has a relief space between the outline and the object. 2. Relief Outline & Shade - Creates an outline & drop shade around an object that has a relief space between the outline & shade and object. 3. Emboss - Created an appearance that the lettering or object is embossed out of the background. 4. Vinyl Saver - A powerful nesting tool that optimizes your files to use less vinyl. 5. Auto Numbering - Creates consective numbers quickly and easily. Has many options including:- Choice of Font, Size, Weedbox, Place horintally or vertically, etc. 6. Cut - Direct cutting from the SignTools menu. No need to export files or place hairline outlines to get the objects to cut. Design in full color, with or without outlines.
Enhanced Tools
1. Descriptive Text - Comes with an extra 50 templates to choose from as well an an option for single color effect. 2. Price Formattor - Comes with new templates. 3. Rego Marks - Now has the option for 2 or 4 rego marks as well as an option to place them inside the object(s). 4. Color Seperator - Now has the ability to select the colors that you require. Also now names the pages by color. 5. Weedbox - Now has the option to apply an individual weedbox each object objects with one click. 6. Stripe Effect - New options including a choice of Horizontal, Verticle or Angled stripes. Also on Horizontal stripes you can now choose starting and ending points.
New Interface
SignTools 3 has a new floating interface. It is now interactive and has a look that is both modern and helpful to the user. When you place your curser over a SignTools button it shows you the look of the effect. This can save you much time when deciding which shade or decoration to choose. It can also help you remember exactly what a specific tool is used for.
Posted by Ken Holden (Member # 5653) on :
I bridge corel 10 to an old pnc-1000 Roland plotter with Signtools 3. After the last fix for win xp, it has been very reliable.
My only complaint is it takes forever to cancel a job if vinyl happens to snag. I don't know where the problem lies but I can lose up to a half hour.
Ken
Posted by Andrew Gourvelos (Member # 1425) on :
Ken, When the "vinyl happens to snag", I would suggest that you delete the print job, then turn off your cutter for 3 seconds before turning it back on.
Posted by Ian Stewart-Koster (Member # 3500) on :
Andrew, I've had the same issue as Ken (without Signtools), and even after a 2 minute break of being off, the plotter wants to continue the mess it began. It seems weird. It can take ages & ages to clear the job from the Printers queue in the computer.
Posted by Andrew Gourvelos (Member # 1425) on :
Ian and Ken, The reason for it occuring is that plotters have a battery and there is still data in the buffer. If your plotter has a "clear buffer" or "reset memory" option, you should be able to stop it by choosing the option. I can't remember whether the Roland PNC-1000 has it as an option, but most quality plotters that are less than 10 years old do. For more information refer to your plotter's user manual.
Posted by Jon Jantz (Member # 6137) on :
I've found the best way to cancel on the older Rolands (PNC-1000, etc.) is to just turn off the machine if things go awry... then I pop up the printer queue and cancel the job there. It won't go away instantly but it will say "Cancelling."
When I turn the printer back on, load and size the material, it will attempt to start cutting again... as soon as it starts moving to cut, I turn it off again for a few seconds, turn it back on, hit the button again.. it may do this 2 or 3 times but finally it will quit, the job will disappear out of the queue and you can start over...
I have CoCut and I remember waiting for about 10-15 minutes for the PNC-1000 to cancel a job before I figured out that little sequence...
Hope it helps.....
Posted by Ian Stewart-Koster (Member # 3500) on :
JOn, that's what I do too- thanks- I was hoping someone may have known a quicker "software control solution" !
Posted by Ken Holden (Member # 5653) on :
Thanks Jon, I'll try that.
Ken
Posted by Miles Cullinane (Member # 980) on :
I have been using signtools for years and I have only praise for it. I have learned that you need to leave it begin the process of cutting before trying to continue in Corel. I have used it in Corel 8,9,12 and now XP and it's always been stable.
Andrew has been quick to respond to any call for help from me when changing computer or the like. he even phoned me in Ireland from Australia Once! there's Service!!
Karen, The signtools software is simply a series of corel scripts telling Corel what to do. Some people cut straight from Corel. So the contour tool in signtools is only going to be as good as the contour tool in Corel.
Blake, Do you try to use the computer too quickly after sending the command to cut. in case you do just leave the plotter get started before doing anything else on the puter.
hope that helps
Posted by Andrew Gourvelos (Member # 1425) on :
Miles, Thank you for the kind words. You are right about waiting until the plotter starts cutting before the continueing to use the computer.
![[Smile]](smile.gif)