posted
... if you had the opportunity to buy any software for your digital printing what would it be? Corel Draw with plug ins, Flexi ??? And your reasons for choosing that software.
-------------------- Steve Levitt Signs Of All Kinds Okeechobee, Fl. 34974 Posts: 64 | From: Okeechobee, Florida | Registered: May 2003
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True Pat ... .. it's also true that craftsmen use quality tools.
I like that thunk tho' Pat..
You're a true digital printer... five digits on each hand..
There's no right answer in which software to choose. I happen to like Corel, I use it with everything from wide format digital, cutting, print & cut, desktop publishing, and engraving. I'm comfortable with it, and I've used it for over 10 years. Everyone else will tell you what they're comfortable with.. The software itself is only a tool..
note: for digital printing the rip (hardware or software) is as important as the design software, but I wouldn't buy software only because the rip is included.. from what I've seen combination packages do neither task well.
posted
That was good Pat. Thanks for the technical input!
Mike, thanks for the info on Corel Draw, I used Corel Draw back in "89" but haven't really looked at it sense, I’ll check it out.
When I first started working in a sign shop a quill or maybe a flat was the most technical equipment I used, unless you count a sand blaster, router or an overhead projector.
Well, times have changed and I've spent the last twenty years doing photo retouching / restoration and graphic design for a magazine publisher mostly using Adobe programs such as Illustrator, InDesign, Page Maker and Photo Shop.
I have not heard many people talk about the software they use in the sign business and just getting back into it I need to purchase new software. I would like to base my decision on the years of experience gained by a majority of people that use the software daily. (Like Letterheads.)
Thanks for your help.
Steve
-------------------- Steve Levitt Signs Of All Kinds Okeechobee, Fl. 34974 Posts: 64 | From: Okeechobee, Florida | Registered: May 2003
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I have been using CorelDraw since its first intoduction version 1. I'm currently working with ver. 9 and very happy with its capabilities. I have seen Adobe products used by others and it too is a capable program. Either way you have to invest a temendous amount of time to learn either one.
The old adage still holds true. Garbage in - garbage out. Both programs are capable of amazing things but if you dont have a clue about basic sign/print design then it wont make much difference what you use.
I would venture a guess that about 80% of the sign making population hasnt the slightest clue about what defines good design nor do they care to learn. There just arent any sign design police out there and the average customer has as much design sense as a rock.
Anyway I digress. Both Adobe and Corel are awesome programs. Take the time to learn them well.
Flexi's rip works well. I also use Z-spline along with Streamline and many of the KAI plug in filters.
What little vinyl cutting I do these days I still use my old original Anagraph DesignArt for the plotting only.
[ June 22, 2003, 02:10 PM: Message edited by: Bob Stephens ]
-------------------- Bob Stephens Skywatch Signs Zephyrhills, FL
What u will find in a general post like this is an assortment of opinions on what we all like best, but do we all do the same digital printing? do we all do wide format injet? thermal? I think it will depend on what you goal is and your inteded market.
For a Sign program I have used Gerber forever, most recently had the great opportunity to run with signlab for a while and was completely amazed. Signlab ran many digital printers and had great vector and bitmap editing tools.
On the other hand Gerber only runs gerber products and Corel in my opinion is great for desktop publishing but it is not made for signmaking right out of the box. Witha a program like Signlab or flexi, who would need corel?
-------------------- Bob Rochon Creative Signworks Millbury, MA 508-865-7330
"Life is Like an Echo, what you put out, comes back to you." Posts: 5149 | From: Millbury, Mass. U.S. | Registered: Nov 1998
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Bob Brings up an important point, "do we all do the same digital printing?"
The print technology you intend to use will have a lot to do with the right answer for you
If using a Gerber Edge for example, Signlabs new Thermal module affords you with superior control of print output against even Gerbers own software as well as being more compatible with other output devices you may aquire.
If you are a Mac user MacImprint will also be a consideration if you will be running an Edge, because you can take advantage of your existing skill with Adobe's software.
If an Edge is not the type of device you are considering, then all this advice is moot, so maybe some more specifics of your intentions will give you better advice.
quote:Originally posted by Bob Rochon: With a program like Signlab or flexi, who would need corel?
Or to put it another way, with a program like Corel, who would need Signlab or Flexi? Sorry Bob I couldn't resist. It's only because I had Corel first. If I had started with one of the others I'd singing a different tune I'm sure. Ah christ, get that fox outta here Steve!
SONGPAINTER Original Sign Music by Sign People NOW AVAILABLE on CD and the proceeds go to Letterville's favorite charity! Click Here for Sound Clips! Posts: 1974 | From: Orleans, MA, Cape Cod, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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man i've used corel draw with cocut and find it can do more than I ever believed.. Cost me about 200 bux and im doin the very dame stuff the guy down the road can do with his signlab that cost him so much more..
Oh, i almost forgot. I can cut using Illustrator too. so actually i got two sign design programs. I just did a sign sent to me via a AI file. sized it cut it installed it.. nice....
-------------------- 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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It has a useful rip program that has a user interface thats easy to use. Calibration lets you control all of the aspects of large digital format printing, including ink types, materials, and saturation.
The rip software also enables you "EPS" rip without having to convert from RGB.
"Thats my vote."
^^-in the heart of gold country... Richard Bustamante Nevada City, California www.signsinthepines.com
-------------------- Richard Bustamante Signs in the Pines www.signsinthepines.com Posts: 781 | From: Nevada City, California | Registered: Nov 1998
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