posted
I currently use Signlab 5 by Cadlink. Frankly, I can't stand it's editing and drawing functions and am becoming more intrigued by what I have seen advertised by CoCut (pro).
I think it would be a good thing to be able to cut (and save) files natively out of Illustrator or Coreldraw without having the oddball proprietary files that Signlab creates.
Plus, I called Cadlink the other day for some tech support and they said they don't support my version any more....period....not even for a fee. Gee, thanks Cadlink.
Anyway, does anybody use Cocut? I am also looking at Vinylmaster Pro (do they create their own weird file extensions too?)
What do you think of these two programs?
Very specifically - - I want a program that does a good job of allowing you to "round" all corners to a particular radius without screwing up adjoing paths....this is one thing that Signlab did very well. Great for weeding.
I tried the CoCut Pro demo....briefly, but noticed the "round corners" function didn't seem to work on all corners, and the ones it did affect were kind of distorted. Is this just an anomoly of the demo?
I should mention, I use the Summagraphics SummaSign D750 pro.
Thanks for your opinions on this....oh, and I don't want to spend a gob of money as I mainly cut....and don't care about the print aspects.
posted
Dahedi is a Dutch program I think, that lets you cut from Illustrator or ANY vector program, and directly from EPS files, or so the promotional literature said. You can download a free working trial version, which is limited to 1000 or 2000 nodes and 3 lines of text I think. (I haven't tried it though).
Lost of people like Corel (I don't)- version 7 is cheap enough and you can cut from it. Those who use Vinyl Master Pro like it. Others have said that something, maybe the trial/demo version did horrors to their PC.
Good luck.
[ September 10, 2003, 08:25 AM: Message edited by: Ian Stewart-Koster ]
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"...there are no limits when you aim for perfection..." Jonathan Livingston Seagull Posts: 7016 | From: Highgrove via Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia | Registered: Dec 2002
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posted
No special version of corel needed, we cut from 9 & 11, Grundy was using 10, now he uses 11. Just a question of loading the print driver, almost all plotters have a hpgl driver available. We create a dummy file which contains a template of the vinyl widths, then copy and paste vinyl elements (by color) into this file and arrange and cut from there... takes less time than exporting and reloading the file. When cutting add hairline outline (rounded corners) and remove fill. In the print layout dialogue box in corel we reposition image to bottom left of page in order to start cuts from front home position of vinyl roll... Works well. We also cut printed decals directly from corel. I'll have to do a step by step on that though, once you see how, registration is easy, you can even accurately compensate for print/laminator stretch.
posted
I use Cocut pro and realy like it. I like it for so many reasons that its hard to list them all. However, I can cut out of illustrator and corel and a few other programs. I actually have several cutting programs that way. IT works in all version of corel.
No one is as frugal as I am when it comes to something. If I could save money cutting directly out of Corel I would still be doing it. Often I get AI files from a customers designer and cut away with almost no preperation or import problems.
Go get the demo and play with it. You will be surprised just how good it is. IT will operate but makes a few extra "X" cuts in your work so you cannot use the samples. Thats no problem. You just want to see it run on small test piece anyway...
(Corel draw 9 is really inexpensive too. I see it for about 25 bux and the service packs are around. I have them if any one needs them. Corel 11 is in a price cut mode right now. Seen it around for about 100 bux.)
Whenever corel upgrades so does cocut for FREE!!!!!! When you are ready to cut your imge just click the start button and away you go. No special settings, no extra preperation, nothing to get in the way. And you can preview your cuts just before you make the final decision. This is perfect cuz you can see the actual cut lines and any errors if there are any.
No saving in proprietory file versions. It does so much more than just cut.. It makes great outlines It has power weed that saves much frustration when weeding. Its NOT a bridge but an acual part of corel or illustrator. Its a plug in. NO Exporting to cut. You can cut by colors It will trap It will auto weld over lapping if you wish. Has several ways to weld. It can change hairlines into a thicker line. LEts sat you have a script font that over laps but you forgot to weld it.. Cocut will automaticlly see that and ask if you want to weld. and convert hairlines to real lines. It will cut many copies of your work if if so needed. No need to look for any templates for you work. No need to find home starting point. No need to set outlines with no fill. Nothing extra. Its cuts are all smooth lines with no jaggies as can happen when cutting directly out of corel. You can adjust cutter speed and pressure. Great for cutting heavy or light materials.
you can rotate the image to fill the vinyl sheet. You can set the material sizes via paging the cutter. It will automatically optimize material use. It will panel for you. no surprises.. As you see the list goes on and on. I can use corel draw and cocut and do anything that any one else can do using some other program.
But, the time i save using CoCut pro with power weed is worth every penny it cost to buy it.. Well placed powerweed lines make it so you can weed almost as fast as you can pull the scrap away..
Most important.. I have never needed tech support to get it to run. I never had to call to ask how to use some feature. The only time I ever heard from Cocut is when i reged the program... When a new Corel comes out i goto cocut site and get the updated cocut. FREE!!!!!
Best money for cutter software I ever spent. I'll not ever go back to cutting directly out of Corel. In fact, I threw away all the info I had about direct cutting from Corel. Wouldn't know where to start..
Its so easy my son is cutting stuff for his high school buddies and making his own money. And I have never shown him how to do any of 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: 5278 | From: Im a nowhere man | Registered: Jul 2001
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posted
Ray..That "how to" actually applies pretty much to Roland cutters only. Other plotters will be a different deal.
But as far as cutting direct from Corel without any bridges or plug-ins is concerned. It is about as simple as anything can be, once the initial setup of the machine, driver and software is done. Any difficulties that folks have is always a case of the individual not doing the setup correctly, or not understanding the importance of certain settings.
I have spoken to many people on the phone and been able to walk them through the setup in a matter minutes and then hear the familiar sound of the cutter working properly.
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
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