posted
Ok Mac users, What cutting program do you use? I have been using SignPost for years, but it has not been updated since the 1990's. I am using Illustrator CS2, on system 10.3 and am looking for a simple plugin. If you know of any that are reasonable, and trouble free. Please advise.
Thanks, Bob C.
-------------------- Bob Cole American Sign Company 14163 Akron Canfield Rd. Berlin Center, Ohio 44401
A.K.A. Vinylman® Posts: 575 | From: Berlin Center, Ohio, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
There's MagiSign, check out the Merchant's Page here on Letterville.
I was looking into it and it looks pretty good but I haven't made the jump yet while I decide which direction to take the biz. Not sure if I want to invest too much more into vinyl cutting.
-------------------- "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
| IP: Logged |
posted
Bob, I'm not sure what plotter you have but I'm running a Graphtec 5100 and Graphtec provides a great Illustrator plug in with them called Cutting Master. Other than that the MagiSign is a good option.
I still have SignPost on my old G3 also. Both that and my G4 are plugged into the same 5100. Signpost uses HPGL and a serial connection whereas my G4/OS X uses GPGL and a USB connection. I can switch to cut from either workstation with a few keypad punches on the plotter which is pretty handy.
-------------------- Bill Modzel Mod-Zel screen Printing Traverse city, MI modzel@sbcglobal.net Posts: 1357 | From: Traverse City, MI | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
I'm going to have the same questions soon when I upgrade my Mac. I used to use SignPost but saw severe limitations while cutting large graphics for basketball courts. SignPost simply couldn't handle the large files, cutting very slow and not very smooth either.
I started using Flexi Sign (actually it's called SignMate, Flexi sold to Roland with only Roland drivers loaded)mainly for cutting. There are a few other tools that work well like inlines and 3D blocks, but we mainly use it as a cutting program.
My main concern with MagiSign is the way it panels large files. I've been told it cuts from menus. I really like to see my graphic on screen with the ability to move tiling borders where you want them. Sometimes it's advantagous to move the tiling border to avoid a lot of detailed areas being cut through with the weeding path. I can't imagine doing this from menus.
-------------------- Dave Sherby "Sandman" SherWood Sign & Graphic Design Crystal Falls, MI 49920 906-875-6201 sherwoodsign@sbcglobal.net Posts: 5400 | From: Crystal Falls, MI USA | Registered: Apr 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
I run a graphtec also with the same plug in on my macs... Cutting Master for about 2 years and it works geat. No more saving a number of files from different soft ware programs... just my set up my files with fonts not outlined for future updates and my cut files (fonts outlined). Flexi got tossed out the window!
-------------------- Rick Whitmire Trick Communications & Signs Box 1124, Hudson, WI Posts: 132 | From: Hudson, WI | Registered: Nov 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
Thanks to mention our NCS MagiSign solution. The opportunity for me to mention a special discount for Letterhead customers who want to order it before the end of September
Printer-friendly view of this topic