posted
i upgraded to INSPIRE when it came out, then FLEXI when IT came out. I still use CASMATE and I think INSPIRE is the BEST of them all. What little I've used FLEXI, I think it sucks in comparison to both CASMATE and INSPIRE.
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Rich, I'm a Casmate user that has the latest revision of Flexi and still uses Casmate. I think I'm stuck in a rut. I'd like to make a break through into Flexi. Been to Mark Rugan's class, watches the video, etc., but still prefer Casmate.
What do you want to talk about?
Oh, I have a box containing Flexi version 6, new in the box with the seal yet unbroken, and would like to sell it.
-------------------- The SignShop Mendocino, California
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 6714 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
I'm with Rick and Bob, I can't stop using Casmate!!! I also have Flexi. Its just taking space on my hard drive!
-------------------- 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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Rich We have been using CASmate here since '95, and I really like it much better than Flexi or some of the other programs that we have seen at the shows & seminars. I know someday we will have no choice to switch to a new program, but I hope that is a long time from now. What kind of questions did you have?
-------------------- Jim Hansen Tri-Star Graphics Bethel, Ct. 800-716-6500 e-mail:tsgracingdecals@aol.com www.tsgracingdecals.com Posts: 51 | From: Bethel, Ct. usa | Registered: Jan 2001
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This is my story... Recently we needed to upgrade our computers to newer ones. While trying to locate our CASmate disks for re-installation, we found that we could not locate the old disks. Tried calling Scanvec but got no response from them. They totally have given up ALL support on this product. We desperately need to find someone with the disks so we can re-load the program and retrieve the old files for our existing customers. We are using 6.52 version. We are still using on one of our old computers that is barely operating to painstakingly use old jobs, but I am scared that sooner or later the computer is going to quit on us and we will be left without any means to convert the jobs. So, I am reaching out to any CASmate users to see if I can possibly ask for a copy of the disks???? Since Scanvec no longer supports the product, I don't think it would fall under any copyright infringements, will it?? I will most definitely send you disks if necessary.
We actually want to keep using CASmate because of its ability to create our menus. we create a lot of magnetic menus and CASmate has a great text tool...better than using composer for the edge. It allows us to setup a template and go back and re-type menu info much easier than other products.
Any help would be appreciated...Thanks guys
-------------------- Rich Lampman J & R Graphics 755 Whittier Rd. Spencerport, NY 14559 rjou812@yahoo.com Posts: 5 | From: Spencerport, NY, USA | Registered: Oct 1999
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posted
Seeing a post about Casmate always pulls my string. I have an imaginary sign in my shop that has changeable letters on it, and almost every day a higher number appears: 121 days without using Casmate...and counting
I have switched to SignLab. Along with Rob Ivers' CD on how to use SignLab I was FINALLY really able to make the switch. I am able to import my Casmate files with little or no trouble and actually do that and work in SignLab instead of Casmate. I will always have a soft spot in my heart for it, and will never get rid of it on my computer. Working in Casmate in a way is like being home, until it crashes and then I become very abusive of a "family" member.
I have a perfectly fine, complete, Inspire in a box. I never could learn that, and we do not have a relationship. Will almost give it away.
I am rambling, what was the question??
Just checked, and new stuff appeared on the thread while I wrote this and answered the phone etc. I have all possible Casmate discs, incl 6.52. Just write and will ship, have done it before and all I ask is to get them back.
Bottom line: Casmate is in my opinion wonderful, and easy, and familiar and outdated. SignLab has finally, as I said with the CD's help, taken over my production of design and files. It is weakest in the area of plotting, where I think Casmate shines. Also, in a limited fashion I can run my Edge with it, and once I have the new module Cadlink, the SignLab people have promised for so long that my hair has grown gray over it, I am sure I can run it as well as I could with Omega.
I know nothing about Flexi.
Sorry I'm disjointed...I get emotional over Casmate.
-------------------- Myra A. Grozinger Signs Limited Winston-Salem, NC
signslimited@triad.rr.com Posts: 1244 | From: Winston-Salem, NC USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Reading this post brings me back to what I was attempting to voice in a post a couple of weeks ago.
We, the sign making professionals, are stuck with adapting existing software capabilities to meet our needs. Why not, as a collaborative effort, put a list together of what we expect software to do. Not just what we want it to do, but how we want it to do it. Take that list along with the names of the contributing Letterheads, send it to the software developers telling the that we are tired of the limitations the existing software has and let them know that if they would develop software to the specifications we provide and include the contributors in the beta testing, they would have X number of prospective customers.
With over 3000 members, most of which I would think are using some sort of vinyl cutting software, I would think that we should be able to turn some heads. Also, with that many people, cost should be able to be kept down to a minimum. I wouldn't have a problem with spending a few thousand for software if it did what it should.
I am outputting from Anagraph Design Art and Inspire. I use Corel Draw to scan, edit and create graphics. Corel is great but unless you are using a Roland plotter, without a bridge program, you have to export your job to cut somewhere else. Corel's text tools aren't as good as I'd like to see. Like most shops, I use up to five different programs to achieve the end result depending upon what I am working on. When you think about it, that's pathetic. Why shouldn't we expect to have an industry specific, do-it-all software program?
-------------------- Dave Johnson Saltsburg, PA
724-459-7240 Posts: 228 | From: Saltsburg, PA | Registered: Dec 2001
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My name is Doug & I am a Casmate-aholic. Wow Myra, 121 days clean!!! I've never missed a day of my Casmate fix in 7 years that I was actually cutting vinyl.
I also have Inspire in a box un-used. My Flexi 7 has been here a week & although I've already been avoiding it, I have begun to experiment & read the manual. I think it will be a good detox program for my re-hab.
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Hi Myra- I tried to send you an email yesterday but it was returned...probably our email here...it often does that for some reason...could you email me at rlampman@corsairdisplay.com
-------------------- Rich Lampman J & R Graphics 755 Whittier Rd. Spencerport, NY 14559 rjou812@yahoo.com Posts: 5 | From: Spencerport, NY, USA | Registered: Oct 1999
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I agree, just when you get a program that basically does what you want they upgrade it or discontinue it. Then the upgrade gets rid of the very option that you liked. Go figure.
I also use Anagraph Design Art, but for some reason it has become unstable. I do like using CASmate, now, it really isnt a bad program. (Of course it has become obsolete) But like most i suspect, i like different features of each program. I use Corel, Illustrator, Photoshop & Omega. Not one of the programs will do everything i need. Just seems that someone would get it together and produce a program that is a do-all program. I will be first in line to test a beta program and give input too. Do you think it is likely to happen?? But it seems unlikely.
-------------------- Rich Lampman J & R Graphics 755 Whittier Rd. Spencerport, NY 14559 rjou812@yahoo.com Posts: 5 | From: Spencerport, NY, USA | Registered: Oct 1999
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INSPIRE is one program that DOES DO EVERYTHING! I cut vinyl and print on a Colorcamm and also LARGE FORMAT. The bitmap editing tools are the greatest.....it imports, exports, converts files, and supports ole (you can actually import the whole Corel program, and others, into INSPIRE and use the their editing tools!). The INPIRE RIP is flawless and quick. It also opens Casmate files. WHY IN GODS EARTH THEY DISCONTINUED THIS PROGRAM IS SO FAR BEYOND ME......!
posted
I think the software developers should send representatives into sign shops to spend some time lurking over the shoulders of those that are adept with the programs. For me to put into words what I want would be of little effect compared to what they might see if they watched.
Casmate allows custom toolbars and I can program in my own shortcut keys. If a software designer would watch my toolbar and the shortcuts, they could learn much.
Casmate has this way of sorting that was originally for machine direction that is ridiculous! Some of the things we need to do with it to work in color are longer paths than they should be. The program was not originally designed for color.
Casmate's text editing and node editing tools are hot still. It has numerous bugs that reveal themselves in a manner more frustrating than explaining "why" to a teenage daughter on her period, yet I still continue enjoying both.
Casmate is far from the perfect program, but I find it much more to my liking than anything else that I've seen.
-------------------- The SignShop Mendocino, California
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 6714 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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The only problem with CASmate is it won't run smoothly in 32bit operating systems like Windows 98, 2000, ME, or XP. Most CASmate users find this out the hard way when they upgrade their pc's or buy new ones. If you don't care for the Flexi user interface, you might want to try VinylMaster Pro. It is very similar to CASmate; even has the same gradient color engine. It has all the design tools needed for vinyl graphics, scans pretty well--although not as easily as Inspire Pro--and is less expensive than a FlexiPro upgrade. We make less money on it than we do on Flexi upgrades, so I probably shouldn't suggest this, but I don't like to see people feeling "stuck" in a no-win situation. You can download a demo at signsupplyofkentucky.com .com and see what you think. The link to the demo is at the bottom of the page.
-------------------- Jerry Barrax SSK SIGN SUPPLY Lexington, KY 800-255-0165 Jerry@sskonline.com GBarraxjr@insightbb.com Posts: 1 | From: Lexington, KY | Registered: Oct 2002
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I have Casmate 6.52 running on four computers that all have Win 98SE and find no more problems than I did with Win 95. It is a 16 bit program, consequently, a dead end. It went as far as it could. I understand it not to work well with the new operating systems, but many using XP anlo have a version of 98 also installed, so they can still do the Casmate thing.
-------------------- The SignShop Mendocino, California
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 6714 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
I was playing with Corel files inside Insire this morning. Everything seems to go good until you try using Corel hot keys. Insire crashes if I use Corel hot keys.
-------------------- Dave Johnson Saltsburg, PA
724-459-7240 Posts: 228 | From: Saltsburg, PA | Registered: Dec 2001
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