-------------------- Kevin Betz KB Sign Company 21321 Ulrich Clinton Township, MI 48036 kbsigncompany@att.net Posts: 229 | From: Detroit, MI | Registered: Sep 2003
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Hi Kevin,all I have ever used is Gerber software.I have Omega premium 1.56, I want to upgrade to Omega 2.0, but everyone says don't waste your money on it unless u have a edge or do alot of digitizing. I have Corel 8 or 9, I got it mainly for the fonts [ 1,000 ], have never used it. The instruction book seemed very hard to understand. Maybe im missing out on not learning Corel. I remember U & your dad from past Letterhead meets, your dad from as early as Kansas City, & U from way back in Niles, Michigan meet. I remember U chasing young girls all weekend. Anyway,I am loyal to Gerber,have used Gerber since 82'[ Arty - Compugraphic, made by Gerber] 84' Arty 4b, still have it, Gerber Fast Track 1300 since it came out, never a problem [ nock on wood ] I'm still cutting vinyl on the Fast Track w/ the original blade. The Gerber hatters will say it's really a Muto plotter, Gerber cost to much,etc.
Good Luck, Kent Moss
-------------------- Kent Moss Greg Moss Signs Posts: 363 | From: Wilbraham, MA / Charleston,SC | Registered: Nov 2003
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Hey Kevin! I have Graphix Advantage 6.2, and I cut with a powder blue 4E. Its older brother the dark blue 4B is waiting to be hooked up too. That way I can have 2 dinosaurs cuttin' dat demon vynull at the same time! Can you imagine how noisy it's gonna be? I also have Corel but also just stole the fonts. Love...Jill
-------------------- That is like a Mr. Potato Head with all the pieces in the wrong place. -Russ McMullin Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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still using 1.56 each day to print on the Edge here. if you are comfortable with the Gerber software stick with it. it's another tool to have handy as you work your craft.
-------------------- Scott Pagan Admark Graphic Systems Admark Motorsports Graphics 9700 Metromont Ind Blvd Charlotte, NC 28269 www.admarkgraphics.com Posts: 325 | From: Charlotte, NC | Registered: Nov 2001
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I use Gerbers GA 6.2 and plot through Gerbers GS15plus. Most of my work is designed in CorelDraw 8 and then exported to the GA 6.2. Some functions, such as outlining, I prefer the GA 6.2, but for the most part I find CorelDraw to more than meet my needs.
My machine, a Dell 600 w/ 80g HD and 512m RAM, also has a printer and scanner besides a zip drive, cd burner, chip reader and a dail-up internet connection, things that seem to have as much importance as the plotter and software anymore.
Right now, I have no intentions of any upgrading, but we'll see.
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I have grown up with the gerber since 1983. I truly like the program. I am lucky enough to have my Dad as my mentor. He has complied most products from the edge to the router. I sometimes get lost with all this technology, but still find it fun. I still have the 4b and gets the job done, a little slow compared to the Hs15Plus but what the heck.
-------------------- Kevin Betz KB Sign Company 21321 Ulrich Clinton Township, MI 48036 kbsigncompany@att.net Posts: 229 | From: Detroit, MI | Registered: Sep 2003
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I have used Gerber since about 1993 - Those were the days. A fast 286 processor and a digitizing tablet. I miss digitizing. Now I use 1.54 Omega - I am still faster on the Graphic Advantage versions.
-------------------- Dennis Baughman Midtown Signs LLC 3840 Warwick Blvd. Kansas City, MO 64111 dennis@midtownsigns.com Posts: 14 | From: Kansas City | Registered: Jun 2004
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""Good judgment comes from experience; and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" - Will Rogers Posts: 3485 | From: Beautiful Newaygo, Michigan | Registered: Mar 2003
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learn corel.....when you do...IT WILL SET YOU FREE.......youll wonder why gerber didnt look at it ...hehehehehehehehehe
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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I have used Gerber since early 92, started with a Sprint Lettering machine,then a PC with 4.3 GA and a GDS 2 Digitising station with Apple 2 computer.
Today I run Omega CP software, on 2 stations, an Edge, Wacom tablet, Gerber and Summa plotters, and I drive my router with Signlab, but my preferred everyday program is Omega...something about "the devil you know"
I have Corel and Illustrator too OP but like my old gerber best.
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Kevin I use it up here in the North too... Omega is nice.I am running 2 copys of it. Stay away from the 50" Odyssey plotter. Not the Typical Gerber Quality I have grown up with, and expect.. I Know I would never purchaseone again. I have one that is about to get replaced by a Monkey on Crack with an exacto. My brothers also have one with a bad head.. STAY AWAY!!!!! I have loved everything else Gerber we have had.. I am a Die hard Gerber Man. ( disapointed now, but still Gerber)
I keep hearing about the 4B from Jill Beans ,,, LOL Great piece of machinery, just like the HS750, True Workhorse.... Bravo Gerber!!
******whipering*****
No odyssey,, stay away from the Odyssey, Do not look into the fancy christmas decoration they put on the front. It is there to take your mind off the Plotter.... Any Questions about it call me.. I ain't mad.. Just Bummed...
I can hear all the "Did you buy the Extended Service Plan People" You never needed it before.. Plug it in, Run it for 10-15 years, all day,all night if you want.. " Warranty... We don't need no Steenkin warranty" Like A Rock.....
Cya!!!!!!!
When was the last time you had to reboot yer quill.....
-------------------- Mike Contreras MAX Sign & Design Gladstone , Michigan Posts: 84 | From: Gladstone , Michigan | Registered: Jun 2000
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Gerber is all I've ever really used (as far as sign programs go) Not meaning to change post but ...
I'm using GA 6.0 now, and have been since 4, punched into super-sprint before that (still have collecting dust next to the Summa)
For what we do 6.0 works great for me, but my (cutting) computer is getting a bit aged ... the boss is looking at large format printing and this comp. aint gonna do it. I heard that 6.0 wont work with windows XP ... is this true? Soooo if I upgrade to new whiz-bang comp. I have to upgrade OS, so have to upgrade to Omega to use my files? So I'll have to run both computers untill I get past the GA to OMEGA learning curve?
I also use Corel on pretty much a daily basis too, but do what I have to do in what program I feel better suited to do it in.
-------------------- Compulsive, Neurotic, Anti-social and Paranoid ... but basically Happy Posts: 2677 | From: Rochester, NY, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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I started out with gerber 4b- traded it in on a sprint, then got a design station for it 286 computer.The best thing about the designer program is it had corel 2.1 bundled with it as gerber print. I discovered I could work in corel and then import into the designer program. That worked for a while, then I got signlab, it blew gerber away at that time and still does in my opinion. I like the dependability of gerbers machines but their software leaves a lot to be desired. fortunately most things I can do in signlab or corel. However after I bought my edge I had to go to gerber software again for a while. graphic advantage 6.2 is what I have now but rest assured that I do most of my work in signlab and corel and then import into ga for the final print and cut. I also have a summa 750 pro plotter that works very well with signlab running it. That leaves my sprint to cut the edge output.I get good service from both gerber and signlab and I am learning to use corel effectively on my laptop. I also have vinyl master pro that so far I have just used clipart from as I couldn't seem to get it to plot to the sprint the service from them was non existent. Oh well what do you expect for 400 bucks (let me see is that two copies of corel upgrades?) I too am fixing to have to upgrade computer systems I am wondering about the comport connections of sprint and summa, I know summa will run on a printer port, but not sure if sprint will switch to usb anyone know? Guess if I really need to I could call tech support LOL Bill
-------------------- Bill & Barbara Biggs Art's Sign Service, Inc. Clute, Texas, USA Home of The Great Texas Mosquito Festival Proud 10 year Supporter of the Letterheads Website www.artssigns.com "MrBill-" on the chat page MailTo:biggsbb@sbcglobal.net Posts: 1020 | From: Lake Jackson,Tx | Registered: Nov 1998
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Just outta curiousity Kevin, why'd you ask? Did you have a question regarding Gerber software or hardware?
Posts: 465 | From: / | Registered: Jan 2000
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I wasn't going to reply to this, but I must open my "big mouth". In my own personal opinion, GERBER is a "joke"! It is the most cumbersome program I have ever used. When I travel to Nazareth Speedway, they have a GERBER there. What a pain in the a$$ !!! Of course you people who have never used anything else think it is the greatest thing on earth. What do I use? The "old" Casmate and Corel. Do you know how many rounds of golf I can play with the money I did not give GOOBER........oh, I mean GERBER?
-------------------- Tony Vickio The World Famous Vickio Signs 3364 Rt.329 Watkins Glen, NY 14891 t30v@vickiosigns.com 607-535-6241 http://www.vickiosigns.com Posts: 1063 | From: Watkins Glen, New York | Registered: Sep 2001
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Tony...you take that back! Just kidding. I guess the inferior sign software people gotta eat too. Just think, if Gerber sold to everybody, Flexi and the others would have no goals, and the price of Gerber would be too high.
""Good judgment comes from experience; and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" - Will Rogers Posts: 3485 | From: Beautiful Newaygo, Michigan | Registered: Mar 2003
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I've been driving my Edge and GSx Plus from Gerber's MacImprint/Illustrator combo since 99. The ability to print to the Edge right from Illustrator is simple and reliable. Both units running off USB ports.
Sometimes it seems that people forget that this is Gerber's own software, and one of their more progressive ideas also.
-------------------- Bill Modzel Mod-Zel screen Printing Traverse city, MI modzel@sbcglobal.net Posts: 1356 | From: Traverse City, MI | Registered: Nov 1998
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That's ok Tony it all comes down to what you know and how you can make money with it. I had a chance to try out a stellar program a year ago but could not make money with it, does it mean that program is a joke? Nope! it means I know what I know and use that to make the signs I do.
BTW why on God's green earth would anyone want to wack a tiny little ball so far and chase after it all day anyway. Geez
-------------------- Bob Rochon Creative Signworks Millbury, MA 508-865-7330
"Life is Like an Echo, what you put out, comes back to you." Posts: 5149 | From: Millbury, Mass. U.S. | Registered: Nov 1998
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I agree Bob.Talk about a WASTE of time and energy spent on something that is not even creative! BUT...with all that money being made,might as well pay someone to walk on thier grass while your are hunting that ball you just wacked the heck out of.
-------------------- PKing is Pat King The Professor of SIGNOLOGY Posts: 3113 | From: Pompano Beach, FL. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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I had not heard of any one using the Gerber software before I posted the question. I was just curious to see what everyone else thought. I know their prices are a little more, but because I grew up with them since day 1 I have never known anything else.
I have come to realize there is more than enough for me to make my Lay-outs with. With the advent of the computer brings more options. But I do like the sprocket set-up for the plotter. I believe it was the best design.
-------------------- Kevin Betz KB Sign Company 21321 Ulrich Clinton Township, MI 48036 kbsigncompany@att.net Posts: 229 | From: Detroit, MI | Registered: Sep 2003
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i 2nd toni's opinion....GA 6.0 after being used to corel, casmate,signlab, flexi.......is so redundant and time consuming to work in....again compared with other graphics programs....but if you were used to it and never used others... i can see how you would like it..it wont let you make any mistakes.....
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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