posted
Well, it is with some trepidation that I venture back into Letterville today, still in search of Anagraph DesignArt 3.5 pro with an operating Dongle. I asked the same question a few days back and was shocked by the ensuing flame fest. I’ve tried to figure-out just where things went wrong. I asked for so help locating some old software and explained my originals were lost when a fellow who borrowed them never returned them. I mentioned it was needed for a school program that I teach (it has a sign-making component). A couple of fellows responded that they couldn’t help but suggested I switch to newer software. I responded back, this was probably the first wrong turn, and said I just needed the DesignArt and not really any advice or comment on my choice of program. I realize now that I should have said early on that I need the particular software for a legacy machine that will only run with DesignArt 3.5. To those gentlemen who voiced their opinion and provided advice about using more modern applications, I agree with them and I do use other “modern” programs but for this component I don’t have any option. If I didn’t communicate effectively to them or was disrespectful to them then I apologize.
Others were more helpful in their posts with good advice and a couple of offers for assistance. There were however, a couple of fellows who made shocking responses that seemed to be seething with sarcasm and anger. I really don’t have a lot I can say to those folks, they made a lot of assumptions and were quite slanderous in their words. Such behaviour is without justification and they should be ashamed of their actions.
I would like to set the record straight for anyone who is interested. I have been visiting Letterheads since 1998 and have always been respectful and helpful to others. I have sold-off my sign business years ago and went back into teaching in a small rural school. A few years back I started to loan my old Gerber cutter, software and materials to the school (free of charge) so that the kids could be exposed to a sign-making plotter as an output device as part of their Information Communication Technology course. The grade 6 and 7 kids loved watching the old stepper plotter buzz away as it drew-out the lines and graphics onto vinyl. The kids used it, along with other more up-to-date programs, to make some really creative and beautiful signs for the school. It was a lot of fun. Old equipment, being what it is, breaks down, and a couple of years ago I need to buy another copy of DesignArt 3.5 and a dongle ( I never consider pirated “dongleless” software). I placed an ad on Letterheads and was fortunate enough to find a copy for $250 US. After shipping, customs, duty and exchange the cost was $500 Canadian. I paid for this myself (without reimbursement) and again allowed the school to use my equipment gratis. Recently I loaned my equipment to a local sign-maker who was trying to rebuild his business ( he was hoping to possibly buy the gear and my intent was to use the proceeds to buy a new Stika or similar machine for the school). Well, he ran-off without paying, sold-off a bunch of my stuff and left me to recover a plotter without any software or key. So, here I am, looking for obsolete software for a legacy machine. I’m donating its use, paying of the program myself and not making any financial gain other than my regular salary.
So, other than my poor choice of words in responding to some of the earlier responses, what have I really done wrong? Why have some been so rabid in the posting about this issue? This isn’t a woe-is-me response, this is just someone writing in shock and amazement about the wrong conclusions that some people draw from a story they know very little about.
I realize that I probably should have chosen my words for both the original post and response better. It should have been placed in the classified ads (which is what I am going to do now) and probably left at that.
My thanks to those who have been helpful. My apologies to those I may have offended, and my sympathies to those who had to read the rants.
Sincerely, Rob Hoban
PS: Wanted to buy DesignArt 3.5 with Dongle
Private party wishes to purchase an old copy of Anagraph DesignArt 3.5 with a dongle. I loan my old Gerber plotter to a local school (free of charge) to be used as part of a technology unit. I need to replace the software in order to make the unit work. I am willing to pay a reasonable amount but as this is money coming out of my own pocket (with no reimbursement or financial gain) I ask that the price be as low as possible. Unfortunately this machine will only run on the DesignArt so I can’t consider other software. I appreciate whatever assistance you can provide.
-------------------- Rob Hoban Look 2R Designs Grimshaw Alberta Posts: 18 | From: Grimshaw Alberta | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
I read your previous post, and couldn't understand what all the fuss was about, I don't think you need to apologise.
I think a sad thing here is that, at times people are all set to jump on anybody or anything. reading too much between the lines or assuming that everyone is after a free lunch.
I have never used Anagraph products but know a chap here that used to service and fix anagraph equipment, In fact my switchbox for my old Gerber Sprint/S750 set up has anagraph bits in it.
I will call him tomorrow and see if he has any ideas.
If that falls through I hope you find what you need, and that the kids enjoy your enthusiasm, and introduction to the sign business
posted
Rob, I have a copy of DesignArt 2.0 and a dongle for it. I also have a set of diskettes for 3.0 but have no idea whether or not they will work satisfactorily with the 2.0 dongle. I do know that the 3.0 installs and will allow saving of a job since that's what we used it for when we were still supporting Anagraph formats with our clipart and logo collections.
I do not have version 3.5.
If this is of interest to you, I will sell it to you for $75 US payable by major credit card and will include UPS Standard Ground shipping or US Mail in that price.
You can reach me by email or phone.
-------------------- Fred Weiss Allied Computer Graphics, Inc. 4620 Lake Worth Road Lake Worth, FL 33463 561 649-6300 allcompu@allcompu.com Posts: 427 | From: Lake Worth, Florida | Registered: Feb 2003
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-------------------- 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
Why not just download Anaplot ( a bridge program) from Anagraphs website for free.It allows you to import from almost any graphics program and cut.Import as an AI. file and your up and running.Has the same look and feel as Design Art but with editing limitations.
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Rob, Check with that program that Steve just told you about, & if it does not work, get back to me. I have an Anagraph, & got the Design Art Pro program with it when I bought it. The people I bought it from gave me 4 floppies as installation disks that they made for me, but I had trouble installing them ( I was new to all this computer stuff ), & they actually drove an hour up here to install it in my computer. I have a dongle, also. If you want them, I will give them to you. Helping the school is really great, & I would be happy to be able to help you. I cannot guarantee you will not have trouble installing, but you sure can give it a try. I had to change programs, because Design Art kept freezing up on me. E mail me at thewordinsigns@alltel.net I am in Pennsylvania. Bobbie Rochow
-------------------- The Word in Signs Bobbie Rochow Jamestown, PA 16134
724-927-6471
thewordinsigns@alltel.net Posts: 3485 | From: Jamestown, PA 16134 | Registered: Oct 2002
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Thanks to Steve's advice I visited Anagraph on the web and downloaded their Anaplot bridge program. Well, after countless hours of fiddling and fighting with their latest driver (thank goodness I kept a copy of the old gerber stepper driver which is what I finally had to use) I was able to get the computer and plotter communicating! The old girl still wheezes alot and isn't very fast... but she's cutting again! Not bad for a plotter that's nearly 20 years old and has "been around the block" so to speak. Though limited, the Anaplot bridge program allows the kids to access all the old job files made previously with DesignArt over the past years on file as well as use it to bridge their work from newer software into language the old Gerber speaks! The price was right.... the Anaplot was free.... but the advice and support from everyone who replied to my request for help was priceless. My thanks to all of you and later this season, once the kids get their vinyl stuck and paint dried I'll post some of their work on the portfolio page. All the best everyone.... and it turned out "nice" again!
Regards, Rob
-------------------- Rob Hoban Look 2R Designs Grimshaw Alberta Posts: 18 | From: Grimshaw Alberta | Registered: Nov 1998
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