posted January 04, 2007 05:10 PM
We have ordered our Roland 54"digital printer and are patiently awaiting its arrival. We need a design program to make the most of the printer's capabilities. We currently have Signlab Seven but it will be too limiting when it comes to the more artistic aspects. Which program would be best suited...Photoshop, Corel, or what are your suggestions?
-------------------- Stu Friesen Box 99 Estevan, SK S4A 2A2 306-634-5975 Posts: 97 | From: Estevan, SK | Registered: Feb 2006
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posted January 04, 2007 05:53 PM
CorelDraw is a must. . . then Photoshop. . .then Eye Candy. . . .good luck with you headaches!
-------------------- John Arnott El Cajon CA 619 596-9989 signgraphics1@aol.com http://www.signgraphics1.com Posts: 1443 | From: El Cajon CA usa | Registered: Dec 1998
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posted January 04, 2007 06:17 PM
corel draw.. I am not sure about your machine but u may be able to coax a limited printing ability with it..
-------------------- 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: 5274 | From: Im a nowhere man | Registered: Jul 2001
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posted January 04, 2007 06:24 PM
We had Corel before we got the VersaCamm and love them both. Corel is a great program, unlimited possibilites as far as we are concerned. There are a bunch of people here in Letterville who are very knowledgeable about both programs, so just ask if you need help.
-------------------- Jane Diaz Diaz Sign Art 628 W. Lincoln Ave. Pontiac, Il. 61764 815-844-7024 www.diazsignart.com Posts: 4102 | From: Pontiac, IL USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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posted January 04, 2007 06:43 PM
I use Illustrator and Photoshop...I have an older version of Corel...just haven't needed it not to mention that they don't support the Mac OS with their newest version.
posted January 04, 2007 07:22 PM
Corel Draw and Photo-paint as a suite that includes Trace and some other stuff. A decade ago, Draw was a decade ahead of most "sign" programs in design capabilities. Photo-Paint has most of the capabilities of Adobe PhotoShop but cost a whole lot less. Thru Corel you can access excellent Q&A newsgroups under cnews.corel.com.
Old version 9 does most of what I need done, and I suppose you can still find in for under $40 thru unleash.com (Graphics Unleashed). Which itself is a website worth bookmarking. But if you're starting from scratch and see it as an investment, then you may consider the latest version, X-something. Several folks here have said very good things about it, and it is not really expensive. Nothing like Adobe, that's for sure! To qualify for an "upgrade" price discount, you need a previous version. These should be very cheap, and old Version 3 was so common (as a give-away for buying a DTP system in those days), that they didn't even have serial numbers. And Corel accepts them anyway. Another advantage to the current Corel is that you get the printed manual. At least they say you did for the previous version 12. If you're new to the program, a book is worth the money.
Almost forgot: Corel is a lot of fun to play with. Lots of users find nifty little tricks that the designers hadn't thought of.
-------------------- Bruce Williams Lexington KY Posts: 945 | From: Lexington, KY, USA | Registered: Mar 1999
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posted January 04, 2007 07:38 PM
Dale said "Corel...not to mention that they don't support the Mac OS with their newest version." --------------- Huh? What's wrong with those people? I thought Corel and Mac had gone to some effort to become compatible. They are for Corel 11, anyway. Stu doesn't say which OS he's using. If it's Windows, it shouldn't be a problem. You can make files that will open/import in Mac.
-------------------- Bruce Williams Lexington KY Posts: 945 | From: Lexington, KY, USA | Registered: Mar 1999
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posted January 04, 2007 07:48 PM
I never thought these words would be uttered from my lips...
Corel X3 rocks.
-------------------- Bruce Bowers
DrCAS Custom Lettering and Design Saint Cloud, Minnesota
"Things work out best for the people who make the best of the way things work out." - Art Linkletter Posts: 6454 | From: Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Registered: Jun 1999
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posted January 04, 2007 09:18 PM
Adobe CS2 Illustrator and Photoshop.
I was Corel only until I went to work for a company that only had Adobe programs....I honestly can't see going back to Corel. Mind you, I haven't used their latest versions.
In my opinion, easy compatability between your vector program and your rastor program is very important...by keeping them in the family, you know it works, and works consistantly.
-------------------- Joe Endicott NEXCOM (Navy Exchange Service Command) Signing Programs Specialist Virginia Beach, VA jeendicott@msn.com
"I want to be Stereotyped....I want to be Classified." Posts: 681 | From: Virginia Beach, VA USA | Registered: Mar 1999
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posted January 04, 2007 10:17 PM
PhotoPaint X3 rocks, too.
-------------------- Bruce Bowers
DrCAS Custom Lettering and Design Saint Cloud, Minnesota
"Things work out best for the people who make the best of the way things work out." - Art Linkletter Posts: 6454 | From: Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Registered: Jun 1999
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posted January 05, 2007 09:05 AM
Me too. Used Corel since 3. X3 is a "got to have". Photopaint X3 definitely rocks. I have Adobe, but have never really had the inclination to bother with it. Everything I have EVER wanted to do can be done in Corel.
Mind you I suppose that might change when I win my lottery and buy my CNC. But I know nothing about CNC software and what it needs to do.
P.S. I have a Roland 54" too.
-------------------- Deri Russell Wildwood Signs Hanover, Ontario
You're just jealous 'cause the little voices only talk to me. Posts: 1904 | From: Hanover, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Dec 1998
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posted January 05, 2007 09:23 AM
In the publication industry, it's better to use Adobe than Corel, I'm told: Sometimes text codes and formatting don't match up, and you can waste thousands of pages. But for signs and most of what we do, Corel delivers the goods. And the price difference is substantial.
-------------------- Bruce Williams Lexington KY Posts: 945 | From: Lexington, KY, USA | Registered: Mar 1999
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posted January 05, 2007 09:47 AM
I like this Corel X3 more than my CAS-m... m-m-m-m-m-m-m.... CAS-May..... CAS-May... Nope. Can't even say it.
If I did, I would have to be DrCorel... Ain't gonna do it... Read my lips... Hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!
-------------------- Bruce Bowers
DrCAS Custom Lettering and Design Saint Cloud, Minnesota
"Things work out best for the people who make the best of the way things work out." - Art Linkletter Posts: 6454 | From: Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Registered: Jun 1999
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posted January 05, 2007 05:00 PM
Thanks for all your replies. Do any of these programs limit the number of computers you can load the same program on? We have 3 systems and I don't want to have to buy 3 of the same program. We are using Windows XP on all 3 computers which are all within 2 years old.
-------------------- Stu Friesen Box 99 Estevan, SK S4A 2A2 306-634-5975 Posts: 97 | From: Estevan, SK | Registered: Feb 2006
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posted January 05, 2007 05:08 PM
I guess Im the Odd Man out.. Love My Signlab (do all the basic Design There),Import into Photoshop CS2 and do all the Eye Candy then Illustrator CS2 for the CutPath.. Hate Corel with a Passion.
posted January 05, 2007 07:23 PM
You always were a little different there, Bill... Why stop now?
-------------------- Bruce Bowers
DrCAS Custom Lettering and Design Saint Cloud, Minnesota
"Things work out best for the people who make the best of the way things work out." - Art Linkletter Posts: 6454 | From: Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Registered: Jun 1999
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posted January 05, 2007 11:42 PM
Stu...most program licenses are for a single station. Multiple licenses can sometimes be purchased at a discount, but that can be tough to find. Can't say that I haven't installed single licenses on multiple stations, but I'm sure not gonna say I have.
-------------------- Joe Endicott NEXCOM (Navy Exchange Service Command) Signing Programs Specialist Virginia Beach, VA jeendicott@msn.com
"I want to be Stereotyped....I want to be Classified." Posts: 681 | From: Virginia Beach, VA USA | Registered: Mar 1999
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posted January 06, 2007 08:33 AM
"Do any of these programs limit the number of computers you can load the same program on? We have 3 systems and I don't want to have to buy 3 of the same program" --------------------- If you have the Corel CD, just install it where-all you want. No prob, that I've ever heard of. The only stupid hassle I've heard, which must apply to lots and lots of programs, is that some Operating Systems won't run old programs and some new programs won't work on old OSes. I believe other people have hacked a trail thru that mess and can tell you what works and what doesn't.
-------------------- Bruce Williams Lexington KY Posts: 945 | From: Lexington, KY, USA | Registered: Mar 1999
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posted January 08, 2007 04:46 PM
I have SignLab, Corel X3 and Adobe Creative Suite CS2. I now do most of my work in Adobe. The reason i switched to Adobe twofold.
First is training. There is just so much more training available for all Adobe products than for the other choices.
Second is my business plan which is to move my business more toward graphic design. Adobe is the 1000 lb gorilla in that arena (IMH0).
However, Adobe products are expensive and, as mentioned above, you will need a license for each computer.
-------------------- Steve Racz Racz's Handcarved Signs Posts: 1078 | From: New Jersey | Registered: Jan 2004
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