posted
I think I finally need to upgrade to a new program as I am still running Casmate 6.52 and am getting tired of the problems I encounter the majority of the time when I need to import customers' files.
Can anybody share the pros & cons of Flexi and/or Signlab (or another option) so I can get an idea which way to go? I've been using CorelDraw 8.0 as a go between to import files and then export them into Casmate, but that doesn't work as well as it used to either. My biggest concern is simplifying the process of importing customer files, exporting is secondary.
posted
I've used both and it's Signlab for me, hands down; nothing even comes close. I use the import/export filters every day, creating files for the Goober Edge or even Photoshop. It's an amazingly powerful program and great support.
-------------------- Ricky Jackson Signs Now 614 Russell Parkway Warner Robins, GA (478) 923-7722 signpimp50@hotmail.com
"If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." Sir Issac Newton Posts: 3528 | From: Warner Robins, GA | Registered: Oct 2004
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-------------------- You ever notice how easily accessible people are when they are requiring your services but once they get invoice you can't reach them anymore
posted
Started with a private label version of SignLab years ago and upgraded to SignLab 7.0 Print & Cut. I also have CorelDraw x3 and between the two of them I can do everything I need to do and more that I have yet to learn. SignLab was very easy to learn and works great.
-------------------- Dana Blair Blair Signs Wooster, OH www.blairsigns.com
If sign makers go on strike, is there anything written on their picket signs? Posts: 835 | From: Wooster, OH, USA | Registered: Jul 1999
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posted
David, reread this part of his question: Can anybody share the pros & cons of Flexi and/or Signlab
-------------------- Dana Blair Blair Signs Wooster, OH www.blairsigns.com
If sign makers go on strike, is there anything written on their picket signs? Posts: 835 | From: Wooster, OH, USA | Registered: Jul 1999
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Brad, I prefer SignLab. It's the only sign program I have ever used and I find that AI files import well into SignLab. I use CorelDraw 12 to convert files to JPG's to send to customers. Like Dana using both of these programs I can do anything I need to do. My friend has Flexi and I played around with it. Not knowing Flexi, I found it hard to navigate. Judy
-------------------- Judy Pate Signs By Judy Albany, Georgia USA 229-435-6824
Live simply...Love generously...Care deeply...Speak kindly...Leave the rest to God. Posts: 2621 | From: Albany,GA,USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Thanks. Can anybody tell me what flaws there are with these programs... some functions that don't work right all the time or which you have to work around? For instance, Casmate will crash sometimes with cleanup, welding & distortions, which can be a real pain. I guess I'm looking for some specific concerns in order to weigh the disadvantages along with the votes of confidence.
posted
ive played with both, and casmate. from memory, i belive SIGNLAB is closer to CASMATE then flexi is. i like FLEXI how it does distortions, much easier then signlab. i liked CASMATE, was sort of a "corel" look a like SIGNLAB))))
-------------------- 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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posted
I have only used Flexi. It is easy to learn & once you study & get over the easy learning curve you can do just about anything you wish. It RIP's great also.
-------------------- Buren Harrelson Vinyl Ink Whiteville,NC Posts: 162 | From: North Carolina | Registered: Jun 2008
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posted
Joe, the latest version of Signlab has the distortions in a toolbox that comes up when you click on transformations. Text and everything else (context sensitive) is the same way; if you are setting copy, distorting something, or whatever the task is, it comes up with everything right in your window. The controls are super easy now - as compared to a few versions ago. Fitting copy to a circle or arc is a snap and you can see what you're going to get before you do it; no more trial and error. I hated it for about two weeks then "discovered" all the controls right at my finger tips and have been loving it ever since.
-------------------- Ricky Jackson Signs Now 614 Russell Parkway Warner Robins, GA (478) 923-7722 signpimp50@hotmail.com
"If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." Sir Issac Newton Posts: 3528 | From: Warner Robins, GA | Registered: Oct 2004
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ive hada demo of the signlab 8, i really like it, dont use much more then corel, normally. and at 63, dont see me buying it in this economy. and youre right i was talkin version 5.0.
-------------------- 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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posted
I have an old version of flexi- and really like it. As OP says, distortions, but also outlines & proper shadows are really good. I also like its node editing properties & tracing. I much prefer it to Corel, but I'm using corel more as the fellow who does some digital printing for us prefers that, and I do some vectorsising for him, so flexi sits by the wayside as I get better at being multiskilled.
Signlab I tried briefly & did not like. Maybe that was the flexi ingrained in me!
-------------------- "Stewey" on chat
"...there are no limits when you aim for perfection..." Jonathan Livingston Seagull Posts: 7014 | From: Highgrove via Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia | Registered: Dec 2002
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posted
Sounds like you're going to get as many opinions as people here......but they're all good ones. I think maybe it's what you feel the most comfortable with and have used the most. Early on, I learned Corel, then some Casmate, then some Aldus Freehand on mac, then Flexi. I have liked Flexi the best. I still use it. It has pretty much all the "altering" capabilities I need, and allows me to go back and forth from AI pretty easily. I like things simple....like me.
But you need to do some investigation; maybe get some demonstration CD's, or whatever to see what you feel you'd be the most comfortable with. Also, I don't know if cost is a consideration; but compare the features of different programs, to be sure you get the most features for your buck. Again, money-wise, Sign Warehouse has a knock-off of Flexi that is basically identical, but a good bit cheaper. Maybe check that out.
-------------------- Dale Feicke Grafix 714 East St. Mendenhall, MS 39114
"I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." Posts: 2963 | From: Mendenhall, MS | Registered: Apr 1999
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posted
I have used Flexi for 15 years. It is the only thing that I have used. It is easy to use. I cut and print from it. I don't know of any real drawbacks of it. I'm a simple minded non-computer person and it works for me.
posted
Beg to differ Stephen, but Signlab is a Cadlink product not related to Corel.
I've got both Signlab and Flexi in the shop, actually much prefer design in Corel... The original question mentions that the biggest concern is importing customer files, I honestly havent seen any graphic product that comes close to Corel in this regard. One of my biggest reasons for constantly upgrading Draw has to do with keeping abreast of import filters. The upgrades are relatively inexpensive and each new version usually has improved content or features.
-------------------- Mike O'Neill
It has yet to be proven that intelligence has any survival value. - Arthur C. Clarke
posted
Mike brings up an option I was considering - getting the latest version of CorelDraw and using it in conjunction with Casmate. After all, I am an expert with Casmate and know how to work around its flaws. My main concern is importing files from customers which have been created in new 24 & 32 bit programs. I wonder if that would be a better solution? Or are there new features in Signlab or Flexi which I would find invaluable?
I would definitely go with Coreldraw! I love it. I hate Signlab and Flexi. They suck.
I don't know if the fact I've never operated Signlab and it's been about 6 years since operating Flexi should make any difference or not in my assessment.
-------------------- Jon Jantz Snappysign.com jjantz21@gmail.com http://www.allcw.com Posts: 3395 | From: Atmore, AL | Registered: Nov 2005
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posted
I'm on an old version of Signlab and Corel 8 & 9. (don't throw those tomatoes too hard..)
I design in corel and cut in lab. For basic setup with outlines and shadows, lab does a better job and I do it all there. But for fine design and tweeking things to perfection, I've always prefered corel by far.
I LOVE the combination of the two together. They both have their pros and cons for sure. And since you wanted some cons..
Cons of lab 5
Can't save/export files as a jpg. I have to export as an ai then bring it into corel and create the jpg. Silly but true. And a royal pain, but I do it because I'm saving about $2000 (actually more, I need new computers to run new lab too) by not upgrading. heh
Can't open more than one file at a time. I sure hope they fixed this one! Lotsa cutting and pasting.
I don't accept customer files so I don't worry about that part.
The screen always looks pixilated. Corel has an enhance mode I work in all the time for excellent clarity. Nothing looks smooth in lab. I bring it in corel to check it via ai mode.
Cons of corel 8 & 9
Doesn't have the power lab does for doing perfect vector shadows.
Doesn't reproduce clean outlines, they always need editing
The pros outweigh the cons by far. I love the two together and couldn't fathom doing what I do with only one of them. I use both daily.
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