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Hello, I am considering updating my software, I currently have Rolands Signmate which has been discontinued . I'm considering Signlab or Flexi Sign, I down loaded the trial version of Signlab which seems harder and more complicated to use than my current software, but has more options.
Right now I only have a vinyl cutter and do not plan anytime soon to get a digital printer. I'm just trying to get a few opinions on what letterheads are using and prefer.
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I'll probably get blasted for this, but I don't care. Gerber Omega is DA BOMB! Many consider only price when purchasing such an important tool.
If cost is a factor, buy it online from the Letterville classifieds or Ebay. If you are only cutting vinyl, you can buy the entry level Omega and upgrade if you ever purchase an Edge. In either case, I'd reccomend Adobe Illustrator or Corel Draw as a design software. Both work well with Gerber.
""Good judgment comes from experience; and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" - Will Rogers Posts: 3503 | From: Beautiful Newaygo, Michigan | Registered: Mar 2003
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Most of the software described to me as "DA BOMB!" blew up in my face.
There's lots of options. Probably the cheapest is Corel. Many plotters will cut directly from it. I've been using Corel since version 3, although I don't cut from it. I use Flexi for that.
There are certain things Flexi does better than Corel and there are many more that Corel does better than Flexi. I use each one in the way I'm comfortable with.
-------------------- David Harding A Sign of Excellence Carrollton, TX Posts: 5104 | From: Carrollton, TX, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Todd, if you are using Signmate is it safe to assume you also have a Roland plotter? If so, you can go right to CorelDRAW or Illustrator and using the Roland printer driver, run the plotter directly from within Corel or Illustrator. You'll miss out on a few nifty production tools this way but it works.
-------------------- "If I share all my wisdom I won't have any left for myself."
Mike Pipes stickerpimp.com Lake Havasu, AZ mike@stickerpimp.com Posts: 8746 | From: Lake Havasu, AZ USA | Registered: Jun 2000
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I'm currently using both SignLab 7 and Gerber Omega 2.2. I've also used Flexi and a few other "sign specific" software programs. I also use Corel Draw, Illustrator and Freehand.
Flexi, SignLab and Omega are good and all three have features that the other does't have. My suggestion is to look over each one carefully to see which one you feel more comfortable with and will provide the best support. I've not dealt with Flexi with concerning any support issues, but I have dealt with both CadLink and Gerber. Both go about handling support differently, but my experience has been good with both of them.
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I use Vinyl Master Pro.... One of the best buys today its easy and its made specifically to cut vinyl Ive said it before... The fonts you get with this program are worth the purchase price you are not far from here come on over some afternoon I'll show it to you.... and we can swap race car lettering stories
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Todd..I would agree with Mike, IF you are using a Roland cutter.
It is an easy, painless and inexpensive way to do things.
If you need more info feel free to either e-mail or call me.
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
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All software is total crap if you do no know how to design, no matter what it costs. Make "Good" design your primary objective then take your pick of any program. They all work well, but garbage in = garbage out if you don't understand the basics. Expect to invest a lifetime if you really want to set yourself apart from everyone else.
-------------------- Bob Stephens Skywatch Signs Zephyrhills, FL
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if you got a roland, get corel 10,11,12 and that is all you will need for 90% of sign work. and it will cut right from corel draw. if you need all the added EXTRA FEATURES.. boone got it right..VM PRO $399 or somwhere in that area and i dont understand doin design work in corel...AND CUTTIN FROM OMEGA... which buy the way is in the $2000-4000 DOLLAR PURCHASE PRICE AREA!!!!
-------------------- 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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Bob I agree - I usually conceptualize the job in my head - then make it happen in Omega. Like anything else in life . . you git what you pay for . . .
-------------------- Carl Wood Olive Branch, Ms Posts: 1392 | From: Olive Branch,MS USA | Registered: Nov 1999
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Rolands Signmate IS Flexi. They simply provided only Roland drivers and re named it. If you upgrade to Flexi, the learning curve might be a little smaller than going to a different program, but I'd think that a new version of Flexi is going to be very different from an older version. Some of the tools should be similar if not the same.
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USe your Corel draw. and then get Cocut pro a plugin that operates within corel draw.. Get it used for around $300 bux and you will have every thing you will ever need for vinyl cutting.
Cocut pro will overnight get you beyond the learning curve people have cutting direct from corel draw.
My experience says there is no need to spend more than $6oo.00 bux to cut vinyl fast efficient and without loads of vinyl wasting mistakes.
Cocut will make your drawings. Press the icon and Cocut will cut it.. Its that simple. Cocut operates just like a job manager in Flexi or signlab.
-------------------- Leaper of Tall buildings.. If you find my posts divisive or otherwise snarky please ignore them. If you do not know how then PM me about it and I will demonstrate. Posts: 5278 | From: Im a nowhere man | Registered: Jul 2001
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Thanks guys, the main reason I want to upgrade is my current Signmate program will only run on Windows 98 and I have been having a lot of problems with the program shutting down, freezing, etc. I use Corel Draw and Illustrator , but don't feel as comfortable with them as I do with Signmate. I guess I'll take my time and decide what I'm going to do. Thanks Again Todd www.land-designs.com
-------------------- Todd Land Land Designs Bridgewater, NY tland@twcny.rr.com Posts: 66 | From: Bridgewater ,ny | Registered: Oct 1999
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