posted
Well now that i have the latest fix to Omega and have worked with it a while, I'm still disapointed. I know it is a step up from GA but GA didnt dump me everytime i turn around. I am tired of getting error messages, especially when they dont have anything to do with what im doing at the moment. The program will crash, not my computer. I have to give Gerber a failing mark on this step in their software. I Loved Graphics Advantage and we as consumers deserved a product that would not fail us everytime we turn around. My computer is big enough, fast enough and has enough memory to handle this without blinking an eye. I think Gerber should refund all our money and send tecks to our shops to get GA up and running again. There, what do you think?
------------------ Kevin L. Kleinhans Alma Signs (Signs Be Me) Alma, Michigan 517 463-6851
Posts: 139 | From: Alma, MI USA | Registered: Dec 1999
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posted
I dunno. I have 3 copies and they are all working perfectly. What kind of problems are you having? One thing you may want to check is RAM. When your resources are starting to run low, Omega will have a tendency to crash. From my experiences, its a good idea to have at least 256 megs of ram. All three of mine have 320 megs. Also, you may want look at how many programs you have running in the background. You can do this by pressing CTRL+ALT+DEL. You shouldn't have more than 6 or 7 programs running at one time. If you have more than that, your resources are probably being sucked up by non-essential programs running in the background.
posted
We have been running Omega for a month now. We have not had some of the problems described in posts I've seen. It does seem to run slower (executing commands). The computer it's on has plenty of power. Glenn do you have any comments on why it takes longer to execute commands?
------------------ Jim Mulligan Cardinal Manufacturing, Inc. Indianapolis, IN
Posts: 121 | From: Indianapolis, IN | Registered: Feb 2001
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I had similar problems in the beginning but recently Omega has only crashed a few times. If I remember to save frequently, I have no problem. Glenn is correct in the system resources thing, Especially if you have a brand name computer such as Dell or Compaq or any other. The propritory software that comes with it usually loads the resources to death on boot up.
Even though I built my own system, I too run low on resources, I have 256 meg of ram and still run low sometimes. Mainly because I forget to close out composer windows that I had previously opened. IE check to see how many files you have open at one time.
The first month or so of ownership I wanted to throw Omega out the window but now you couldn't pay me to go back to GA 6.2
Memeory is soooooo cheap right now that even at 256 I'm going to add more soon.
Good Luck
------------------ Bob Rochon Creative Signworks Millbury, MA bob@creativesignworks.com
"Some people's kids"
Posts: 5149 | From: Millbury, Mass. U.S. | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Oy-vey-mega...is definitely not up to Gerber's high standards. I've had my Oy-vey-mega 1.54 for a month now and although there are more features I like than I don't like, it still needs a lot of work. Has anyone tried to really zoom in to edit linework lately? The image either disappears or is upside and backwards. A semi-mild zoom works fine but when you get in really close...run for the tall grass, folks. The Edit Fill Colors doesn't work correctly either. If you're working with process colors and select Edge Match, you get something wholly other. The only work around I've found is to select Edit and then manually plug in your CMYK formula. State of the art...I think not. Also, once you assign an Edge color to something...try to get the color back to none. I've been able to do it once, but I can't remember how on Earth I did it. Then there's the issue of screen resolution. I spent about two hours trying to get a Stroke to look correctly on screen only to discover that in zoom mode ...it does look OK...out of zoom it's way to thick! Line editing isn't much fun either. In GA you could grab your Eraser Tool and delete a point that was between two curve segments and the point would disappear and the curve would SMOOTH OUT. Now the curve becomes pointed and you have to edit it. That wastes a lot of time and since I do work for a whole bunch of shops around the country, I'm constantly editing scanned images and struggling. And some of the words that come out of my mouth...the devil made me do it. When it comes to printing on paper, or Paper Print...that's a whole new experience. It's quite possible it's me screwing up, but sometimes the printer just won't print what I'm seeing on the screen. If it's me, I apologize in advance. If it's not...there must be a work-around and I'll find it...if it's there. Yep, Omega isn't quite there yet. But, I've got confidence in Gerber because they know that "bad press" doesn't do them any good. They want, and indeed they should want, happy...ney....very happy customers. So then, I'm sure they will be working nights and weekends trying to get their new program "bullet-proof". Once that's done, then they will go on to develop the next, latest, greatest, slickest software yet and offer this software at a reduced rate to us paying "beta testers". C'mon Gerber...don't let us down...please fix this sick puppy and bring this "Nightmare On Elm Street" to and end.
------------------ Louis A. Lazarus Milt's Sign Service, Inc. 20 So. Linden Ave. #5B 650-588-0490 fontking1a@aol.com
Posts: 560 | From: El Granada, CA | Registered: Apr 1999
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I love Omega! I am making money with Omega. I can do MORE than ever before with this software. I now think using Corel Draw is a total waste of my design time. Omega does it better and faster and mutlti-tasks it all to the Edge and Odyssey and even to my old 4B.
Node editing is a heartbreaker, and I do wish I could edit nodes like GA. However, I can get the job done.
In looking back how far my business has changed in just the last 5 years, Gerber software and equipment have kept me in business, feeding my family and paying the bills.
Sure, you want Omega to work just perfect, for everything it was designed to do and some things it was never ment to do. There is still much more work ahead for Gerber, and neat new things on the horizon. One day, 3D font rotation and warping will become available.
Where would you be if Geber never developed past its original plotter?
I think we all have a great deal to be thankful to Gerber for letting us push the envelope into a whole new frontier of sign making.
The one thing I hope Gerber will never do again is release defective or underdeveloped products and software, and then try to fix it with updates. That is typical of greedy thinking: "get the product to market and fix it later!" I really hate that. I don't make my signs with that attitude. When the product leaves here...it better be right! Well, that's a change corporate board members are responsible for.
In my opinion, I don't think the engineers and programmers that work for Gerber are happy about rush releasing their inventions. I think they are doing a great job with unbelievable corporate pressure on them...which is so uncalled for.
------------------ Draper The Signmaker Bloomington Illinois USA Stop in and visit a while! 309-828-7110 signman@davesworld.net Raptorman or Draper_Dave on mIRC chat
[This message has been edited by Dave Draper (edited February 18, 2001).]
Posts: 2883 | From: Bloomington Illinois USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
I am real happy with Omega. I still have not bought my new computer, just haven't gotten around to focusing on that, still using pentium 233 with 128 megs of ram. The only problems I have, sluggishness, memory problems are because of my computer, not Omega. Since the last 2 upgrades/revisions I have had very few crashes. I use it for virtually all my design work now instead of Illustrator or Corel Draw. I like copy/pasting a file into Photoshop, doing effects on it, then printing/cutting it. I feel I'm just starting to take advantage of all these techniques. I would like to see group/ungroup more like it is in Illustrator.
Note: I was having the problem with zooming in close as described above, but I fixed it by adjusting some graphics speed setting in windows. I think it was System properties settings in control panel. It slowed down some of my scrolling through files, too, but I figure my faster computer will fix that. ------------------ Chuck Peterson Graphics 1860 Playa Riviera Dr. Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Calif. 92007
[This message has been edited by Chuck Peterson (edited February 18, 2001).]
Posts: 1053 | From: San Diego, CA USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
I still haven't upgraded to omega, as for now I use sign lab till I have it like I want it, then I import into GA as a gad file, for the final changes, though you can print directly to the edge from signlab I only have the Foundation program in signlab at this time, which does not do fades and shades. For this I use corel and import a cmx into GA. I believe I will probably have to go to omega eventually, just as gerber quit supporting the Design Station 3, they will probably do that to GA before long. Hopefully by then, they will have all the bugs out of the Omega. Bill
------------------ Bill & Barbara Biggs Art's Sign Service, Inc. Clute, Texas, USA Home of The Great Texas Mosquito Festival Proud Third year Supporter of the Letterheads Website MailTo:twobeesusa@netscape.net
Posts: 1020 | From: Lake Jackson,Tx | Registered: Nov 1998
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I suspect its the way the software is written. Its been my experience in the past that any first-generation software is going to be slowwer than the next. When SignLab first came out, it was buggy and slow compared to today's version. I think Gerber is going to go through the same growing pains as any other software developer.
posted
What ticks me off is that they aren't in any hurry to send out those upgrades. For some reason I can't get a darn thing out of them. They point to the supplier and the supplier points back to them. Come on Gerber.....what's the deal?
------------------ Bruce Evans
Posts: 913 | From: Chino, CA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Well, I still stand behind Omega, and Gerber 198%. I have had minimal problems with Omega since my first copy, and frankly, I love the package. Now I want to just say that the statement I'm about to make is not a pat on my own back, but a defense for Gerber....
I've become known as one of the best, if not best vinyl designer in this town, and the neighboring town. And that is said by some of the greatest buncha people in the industry... And what do I use? Omega. I can do things rocket fast in it... My buddy has Flexi... Another one has Inspire... Another lady has Signlab... and what do they all say? Man! You rock with that Omega! Say what you will about Gerber... But they are AOK with me. One thing I did figure out tho.. is if you run Norton Antivirus... turn the autocheck feature off... that makes Omega lag. Otherwise... its da bomb! later peeps Christian
------------------ Christian S. Budget Signs & Graphics Bradenton, Florida BudgetSigns.Graphics@verizon.net
posted
Bruce, We have not received our upgrade yet either! I was told gerber is sending the 1.54 version out in 'bunches'. How many others are still using 1.52? Does it matter? Is something fishy here!!
Jim Schneck Dorney Park
------------------
Posts: 27 | From: Whitehall, Pa USA | Registered: Oct 2000
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posted
While Oy-vey-mega will eventually be an improvement over GA, at this point in time it's not. GA didn't do everything that Omega is "supposed" to do, but what it did do, it did without crashing. Omega wasn't tested thoroughly and was released WAY BEFORE it was ready. To me, this can only mean one thing...simple greed. Not that there's anything wrong with that! The same way I "release" a sign to my customer as a complete product with no flaws, no missing letters and no chipped corners... is the same way Gerber should release their product to their customers. When you go down the "we'll fix it later road", you untimately alienate your customers. Yes, Omega works with simple, no brainer jobs. Whoop-dee-do! However, when you get into some rather complicated designs and your software isn't performing as expected, sometimes you have to vent...and vent I do...and often...and loudly. And I have called Gerber and I have sent them e-mail on these matters. Those on this board who love Omega and have no problems with it...go in peace...have a great life...and enjoy. I know what works and what doesn't work. I know what is a "computer glitch" and what is a software "bug". This program does have bugs and hopefully will be fixed in a timely and professional manner. As for making money with Omega...sure...I make money with it. But, if I spend 15 or 30 minutes "horsing around" with a feature that is not working, I've just lost 15 or 30 minutes of production time. This now happens about three or four times per day. I zoom in to fix or check some points and they disappear. Or, they are backwards. Or they are upside down. Or, the lines go somewhere?? I'm so happy for those who don't have this problem. For me, however, it's a headache. When I Erase a point on a curve and that curve goes "pointy" instead of automatically going to smooth and I have to zoom in and out trying to find the nodes to smooth out the curve, one at a time...I get another headache. What should take a few minutes now sometimes take 30 minutes with a "reboot" to boot. Again, Omega is mostly there but not quite good enough to call "professional signmaking software". If I went out a bought a brand new Corvette and one door was painted just a shade darker than the rest of the car I could say...Gee...it's a great car and it gets me from point A to point B. And, gee I can go faster than those other guys with those lame Porsches, Audis and Bimmers. In fact, some of them would say "Gee, you rock with that multi-hued Corvette"! But, I wouldn't be satisfied with my purchase. It would only be "reasonable" to expect the car was painted all the same color and it's only "reasonable" to expect the whole Omega program works correctly. That's all....just reasonable.
------------------ Louis A. Lazarus Milt's Sign Service, Inc. 20 So. Linden Ave. #5B 650-588-0490 fontking1a@aol.com
Posts: 560 | From: El Granada, CA | Registered: Apr 1999
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posted
While I haven't personally worked on Omega, the shop I help out at recently tried it out.
After a few weeks of evaluating it and going through many of the headaches described above, the decision was made to return it.
Aside from the weird crashes or lock-ups, & unusual inconsistencies in panneled edge prints, they just didn't see any benefit that would have been worth the cost of upgrading the remaining 3 computers, and purchasing the additional copies of it so that all 4 computers would run the same software.
------------------ EmpY® is also known as Mayo Pardo. Has wandererd Australia, currently in Elgin IL. Soon to be cutting stuff on my router table. 847 931-4171
posted
Well to exspand on my capabilities. I am a wiz with GA. I have read the guides and spent endless hours learning Omega. My computer is a HP Pavillion 6653 with 128ram. I know all about the programs that run in the background and have them set up to run when called upon. I dont normally open more than 1 omega window at a time. Now with 2 lines of copy both arched and with fills the program will constantly fail (crash). This is ridiculous. All I am attempting to do is adjust the starting and ending points of the fade. Gerber has failed us and taken our money. I started with GA3.5, bought all the upgrades, Plotter, scanner, Edge. I used to truely beleive in Gerber. I dont anymore, and I have the latest version too. Well Gerber?
------------------ Kevin L. Kleinhans Alma Signs (Signs Be Me) Alma, Michigan 517 463-6851
Posts: 139 | From: Alma, MI USA | Registered: Dec 1999
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posted
HP Pavillion? That may be your problem right there. I'm being serious.
Last week, the computer that serves as my art/design station failed. It had been a long time coming and I had no idea. My local computer wizard came by when I couldn't revive it. During the two hours he was here I got a lesson about computers. Not all are the same.
A few weeks ago, I updated my EstiMate program from version 1.5 to 1.61. No matter what I tried, I couldn't get 1.61 to function properly. I was constantly getting error messages. But, when I re-installed EstiMate ver. 1.5, EstiMate ran perfectly. After discussing the matter with Jonathon and Mark at Ampersand Software, we could only conclude that something was corrupt with my hard-drive and not the software. To be honest, I was a little bit skeptical, but I know Mark and he isn't one to put a problem off on someone else. Anyhow, I purchased a new HD, installed the OS and EstiMate 1.61 only. And would you believe it....I still got the same error messages. It had to be the software, right?......Wrong.
Well, my computer wizard took 3 older computers that I had salvaged and put them together to make one working computer. He put in the new HD that only had the OS and EstiMate 1.61. EstiMate worked perfectly. So I had him to install the old HD. Guess what.....EstiMate 1.61 worked perfectly too. Turns out the problem was either the CPU or motherboard.
This is where he educated me that not all CPU's and Hardware are the same. Some are just simply better than others. Brands such as HP and Compaq are more of the low-end, home use types. Computers such as Dell, use better quality components which explains why they are always a little more costly.
Another example would be the K6-3/450 computer that I bought 16 months ago from Tiger Direct. It was a cheap price and the computer worked fine until I installed GA 6.21 and tried to get it to drive our new Edge-2. No matter what I tried, it wouldn't talk to the Edge and the Edge kept giving me error messages. Gerber overnighted new boards to me and walked me through everything they could think of, but nothing worked. I got a piece of crap from Gerber, right?......Wrong. For my home computer, I had been using a K6-2/350 from TigerDirect. So I took it and tried to get the Edge-2 to work. It worked perfectly. I can't explain it. I then purchased a Dell P-3/600 and it ran the Edge-2 perfectly. I then tried to get my mom's computer to run the Edge-2 (an HP) and it wouldn't.
I bring all of this up to make a point. The problem isn't always the software. Software developers have a difficult task writing today's complex programs. This because not all computers are built and set up the same. Using Lou's analogy try imagining that you had to build a vehicle motor that was going to be used in every type of vehicle, no matter if it be a van, sports car, pickup or 18-wheeler. It just doesn't work that way.
I'm not about to be an apologist for Gerber. They are big boys and can take care of themselves. But frankly, keep in mind that Omega is a first generation software program. The problems expressed in this tread are not the least bit surprising to me. I had the same types of problems when SignLab first came out and they were no quicker in fixing the bugs than Gerber has been.
All I can tell anyone is that, regardless of the software, if you are getting the "blue screen of death" and other errors, the problem may not be the software. Those of you who having problems with Omega locking up or crashing may want to try the software on another computer. You may find that it works better on one than another. And that the problem is the hardware or hardware configuration.
posted
Although Omega is a great step forward, and generally do the stuff I want, it's still got it's fair share of bugs and problems.
I been working with computers for about 17 years now and do believe I know a thing or two about them.
Having worked with Gerber software since the old GA 3.0 days along with other programs such as Corel Draw, Illustrator, Photoshop, 3DSMax etc. I dont have big problems adapting between different programs or "ways to work".
I think Omega in general is a big imporvement over GA, but in some areas I think Gerber has gotten it all wrong..
Take detail editing of a shape for instance.. changing an un-even 'ugly' curved part with way too many nodes was so easy, and you got a perfect clean curve all the time. With Omega however, it's another story.. usually it takes a few tries and some detail-editing by hand.. and even thats a pain sometimes...
Same goes for the "rubber-band" [red]selection-box you had when you selected an object.. it was sooo nice to have those red lines as a "guide" when you were moving objects or just wanted to align something "in a hurry".. Cant understand why Gerber removed it!?!
Same goes for the online help.... another thing that's gone from 'excellent' to bad in Omega. :-(
Last october I ordered a Gerber Edge font for my system... I've still not received a version that works! i've called and mailed my distributor about a dozen times about it... last thing I heard was that Gerber them selfs cant seem to "compile" a working version for any system(!) - that was 18 days ago.
I must admit that I'm still using a rather old build of it tho... Ver. 1.52 - build 17. Not by free will tho... I've been asking for new versions for months - first I was promised 1.53... and 18 days ago I was promised 1.54... I've yet to receive any of them. (we even paid for a "free-support" deal!)
Last August we bought a new Fast-track plotter aswell... excellent product - but I'm still trying to get hold of the manuals... :-(
Right now... I'm just too tired of wasting *my valuable time*, calling my rep. to ask if he's managed to get hold of them yet, when I could be making money instead.
------------------ -- All the best, Edwin Solheim AS Solheim Reklame Langhus, Norway
I agree. And, in your situation I think I'd be raising cain. Maybe its time to fire off a couple letters to the big bosses at Gerber and light a fire under someone's foot over there.
We've been having to deal with a problem with Bank of America. After 4 weeks of no results we fired off a certified letter to the CEO of the bank. Now we have the underlings there falling over themselves trying to help us get the matter straight.
posted
Well...its a shame....perhaps a case of shareholders before customers....whatever it is its put me off being 100% Gerber, and that's from someone that although I have Signlab Colormaster 5, do over 90% still with my good old GA, we have Gerber plotters too. But when it came to changing plotters I bought a Summa Sign Pro tangential machine.
I have seen and played with Omega at the shows, just wish it got more thumbs up from more users, I wonder howmany other loyal customers they have lost.
------------------ Henry Barker #1924 akaKaftan SignCraft AB Stockholm, Sweden. A little bit of England in a corner of Stockholm www.signcraft.se info@signcraft.se
Posts: 1552 | From: Stockholm, Sweden | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
My personal opinion is that bad programming is the problem with Omega. That does not mean in any way that the entire program is bad...but obviously some parts are. A sensible thing to do would be to figure out what works and what doesn't and you could call that Step 1. Once Step 1. is completed with a reasonable degree of thoroughness and the problems are isolated it would then be reasonable to proceed to Step 2. which would be to fix the problems found in Step 1. If you think about it logically...it doesn't seem all that tough to do. Find...then fix. Once Step 2. is complete it would then seem rational and reasonable and sensible to test the results and make sure (this time) everything works. That would then be Step 3. and 75% of the job would be done. Step 4. would simply consist of sending out some CDs to those who have purchased Omega, in good faith and with a reasonable expectation that it would work, and include an explanation of what was wrong and what has been fixed. It's just a simple and reasonable FOUR STEP PLAN of action that Gerber might undertake so as to correct this ailing program. While it is possible that some problems are the computers themselves, it is really unlikely since most everybody who has problems has one thing in common...Omega! I would also like to apologize to Gerber on an item on which I was critical. You can assign an Edge color and then change that color to NONE. In this case, it was operator error and a foolish mistake. You just have to know which boxes to check or not check...simple as that. When you have a software program with known bugs it becomes all too easy to blame the software every time something doesn't work. With GA, for instance, I had a lot of faith in the program because I really couldn't find anything that didn't work. So, when I encountered a problem, I assumed it was me, not the software, and proceeded to find a remedy keeping that in mind. With Omega, it's a 50/50 "kind of thing" and I'm not sure if it's me...or Omega that is screwing up. Again, I would like to encourage Gerber to buckle down and get this program fixed so they ....and we....can be proud of it.
------------------ Louis A. Lazarus Milt's Sign Service, Inc. 20 So. Linden Ave. #5B 650-588-0490 fontking1a@aol.com
Posts: 560 | From: El Granada, CA | Registered: Apr 1999
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posted
Wow, You guys really lay it on the line. that is what I say too! Gerber, Fix the danged thing, and send us all a free upgrade. I got away from Gerber once, by going to Sign Lab, Got back in with Edge, Now maybe I better look to sign lab again. At Least they have always tried to help me. Gerber hasn't even tried to get me to buy omega, maybe that is a blessing. Or they are waiting to dump an old one on me before an upgrade?(Thats what happened with my Sprint 3 upgrade and my Gerber Design Station Bill
------------------ Bill & Barbara Biggs Art's Sign Service, Inc. Clute, Texas, USA Home of The Great Texas Mosquito Festival Proud Third year Supporter of the Letterheads Website MailTo:twobeesusa@netscape.net
[This message has been edited by Bill Biggs (edited February 20, 2001).]
Posts: 1020 | From: Lake Jackson,Tx | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
I hate it. I hate it, I hate it. I have a Dell w/256k memory, I have gone into the MSConfig file and turned off programs running in the background and I am still having severe problems with Omega. On top of all this, my rep doesn't call me back. I called him last week and then again this morning. Nothing. Our latest problem is that the design that I am working on now shows the stroke or fills is on. I'll turn it off and make one or two moves/actions and it will turn on again. This causes me problems later on. I don't have problems with crashes but I am still having problems with coloring and bringing objects to the front. Today I could not turn one object blue, one black, and the other white.
------------------ Laura Butler Vision Graphics and Sign 560 Oak St. Lapeer, Mi 48446 810-664-3812 visiongraphics@tir.com
"Anything thats comes from my shop, comes from the right brain."
Posts: 2855 | From: Attica, Mi, USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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If your rep isn't calling you back, maybe you should tell us who he is so the rest of us can avoid him.
As to your problem with assigning colors and such, I've offered to help, but you've never taken me up on it. It sounds to me like you are just having a difficult time learning a new program. I just got Photoshop 6, Freehand, Flash, Fireworks, and Premier. Talk about a headache!!
If you are having a tough time setting up an Omega file, feel free to contact me. I'll be glad to help.
posted
I too am glad to help if I can, sometimes just two people thinking something out, instead of one is whatcha need. "Two heads are better than one" I have had NOOOO problems recently with my Omega. Email me, or call me at 941-755-6719 Laterz Christian
------------------ Christian S. Budget Signs & Graphics Bradenton, Florida BudgetSigns.Graphics@verizon.net
[This message has been edited by vinylman777 (edited February 28, 2001).]
posted
One of my questions with Omega as it was with GA is why on earth would Gerber some of the things they do..? For instance, you draw a square, give it an Edge Fill Color of Ruby Red and a Stroke of Black. You draw another square and it gets the same fills and strokes. Why would they do that? To my idiotic way of thinking...I would draw a square, fill it with a color, stroke it with a color and then if I drew another square, it would have a fill of NONE, stroke of NONE and then I would assign the fills and strokes I wanted. This bothers me to no end bcause it just seems ass-backwards. Can anybody tell me why they do that?
------------------ Louis A. Lazarus Milt's Sign Service, Inc. 20 So. Linden Ave. #5B 650-588-0490 fontking1a@aol.com
Posts: 560 | From: El Granada, CA | Registered: Apr 1999
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Here's a new problem. I brought up an old GA 6.2x job (Edge) into Omega. No problem. I then selected part of the job and copied (Ctrl C) and then started a NEW FILE and then pasted (Ctrl V) it into the NEW FILE. I get the right half of the job perfect and the left half of the job has a bunch of my icons (tools) in place of the graphic. The tools are the COMBINE, CUT OFF, CUT ON, ARRANGE, SCISSOR TRIM BITMAP, and a few others. How can this be? The icons are in the middle of the job screen. Yikes......
Does anybody have any ideas how this can happen?
------------------ Louis A. Lazarus Milt's Sign Service, Inc. 20 So. Linden Ave. #5B 650-588-0490 fontking1a@aol.com
Posts: 560 | From: El Granada, CA | Registered: Apr 1999
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I wish they were. But seriously, if you've read some of my other posts, you would have known that I prefer SignLab for cutting vinyl, not Omega. For Edge printing, I only recommend Omega. Neither SignLab nor Flexi can do everything on the Edge that Omega can.
That being said, I know that from past experience that most newly released software is going to be somewhat buggy. Corel 6.0 was; SignLab 1.0 certainly was; Flexi sure as heck is; and now comes Omega 1.x. Why should Gerber be held to any higher standard than these other programs? I'm not defending Omega. I'm just trying to bring things into perspective based on my meager 14 years experience dealing with computer sofware.
I can tell from Laura's complaint exactly what problem she is having and why. I've offered to help, but she has made no response. Instead, she just seems content on complaining (no offense intended, Laura). I had similar problems when I first started learning Omega. I found that it was operator error and not software related.
As for Louis, I suspect I know why his computer is crashing. And, it has to do with a possible software conflict. Some GA users in the past failed to read the instructions and installed Omega on top of GA. The instructions clearly state to be sure to remove GA first. Another thing is to do a "regedit" and remove any references to Gerber. Then reboot the computer and install Omega. If you install Omega without removing GA, then uninstall Omega, then use the "system cleaner" program provided by Gerber on the Omega disk, then install Omega again, you will still have fragments of the old GA software in your registry. This can cause problems, though not in all cases.
How do I know these things? Because I've done them and have had to call tech support to fix it. I learned the hard way.
Kevin, if you'd like I'll just stop posting and let you learn the same way I did. Would that make everyone feel better?
posted
Glenn, I must have missed your offer or didn't see it for what it was. But if it still is on, I'll take you up on it. I have had people get back with me and I have tried everything that they have suggested to no avail. I even had someone telling me how they lived close and would come to help me do this and do that. Then he let me know that it was going to cost me $600. I felt like I was communicating with a shyster. I taught computer to adults for awhile, so I'm not a novice.
You are right about something Glenn. All I have been doing is complaining. It takes I lot for me to get riled. I have even been told by many people that I have the patience of a saint (just patience nothing else) I get real fed up with products that don't do what they are supposed to - especially when there isn't any customer service behind the product.
I
------------------ Laura Butler Vision Graphics and Sign 560 Oak St. Lapeer, Mi 48446 810-664-3812 visiongraphics@tir.com
"Anything thats comes from my shop, comes from the right brain."
Posts: 2855 | From: Attica, Mi, USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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Glenn, I forgot to tell you that my shop guy knew GA inside and out and was the one to convinve the previous owner to continue on with Omega. So he has been using Omega for quite a awhle and he can't even get the problems ironed out.
Sometihing else. Don't pull up files off of a R
------------------ Laura Butler Vision Graphics and Sign 560 Oak St. Lapeer, Mi 48446 810-664-3812 visiongraphics@tir.com
"Anything thats comes from my shop, comes from the right brain."
Posts: 2855 | From: Attica, Mi, USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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I went to a Thermalheads get together at Interstate Electric in LA yesterday. Dave Williams, Mark Marciano, Dana Goodale and Scott Anthony from Gerber were very helpful in running us all through the features of Omega and answering questions. After using Omega for a year or more I had plenty of questions answered. I wasn't aware of how many ways you can customize the work area and set tools that I commonly use to my own preferences. If you dont like the order of the vinyl pallette, change it to color types instead of alphabetical, etc. I have only occasionally had problems moving things front to back as Laura was saying, but I did in GA too. It sounds to me like somethings not installed right on her computer or something. For anyone using Omega, if they have any events like this in your area its well worth the time to attend. (By the way, my project won first place)
quote:Sometihing else. Don't pull up files off of a R
I assume you mean a CD-R or CD-RW. If so, the problem stems from trying to use a CD-RW file as an additional HD. What happens is that the operator is trying to use Omega and save on to the CD-RW "on the fly." It is stated in Gerber's tech info not to do so. You'd be surprised how many e-mails I get asking about that. They assume the file was saved, but instead it ends up in limbo.
If you have some problem files, feel free to e-mail them and a description of the problem to walldog@nc.rr.com. I don't claim to know everything (although at times I'm sure I come across that way, albeit unintentionally), but I enjoy a challenge and find it educational for myself.
The offer is open to everyone, by the way.
Concerning Omega, the interesting thing to me is that I hate GA and love SignLab for cutting vinyl. But, I have an employee who loves Omega and dislike SignLab with a passion. I think a lot of it is what you are used to.
Also, if you want to deal with a Gerber distributor who cares about what they are doing, you may want to consider the one I use ..... Advantage Sign Supply. They have a Gerber Trained technical staff on hand so you don't have to go to Gerber directly. If I have a problem, I usually have someone on the phone within just a few minutes. Rob and Levi have been a tremendous help to me.
****
Chuck,
It figures...You would win first place. Congrats!!
quote:Some GA users in the past failed to read the instructions and installed Omega on top of GA. The instructions clearly state to be sure to remove GA first.
Glenn, this is nowhere to be found in my instructions. I installed Omega this weekend as per the instructions which did not include removing GA first...hope I'm not in line for lots of problems. As I mentioned in another post, the first thing we tried did not work...(red circle on black square, put overprint on red circle, it disappears). This does not bode well for working with Omega.
------------------ Diane Crowther, Metaline Graphics Ltd., Nova Scotia, Canada, ID #285
On the 1.54 or 1.52 CD-ROM, root directory, open the readme.hlp file. The “readme” file went to the .hlp file format starting with 1.52. Prior version had the standard .wri file or .txt file.
In the readme file, it outlines the GSPCleanSys utility, which would go a long way in eliminating some of the problems people are experiencing. Will it solve all of them, NO! But it aides in putting the odds in your favor for stability and usability.
Also in the readme file is information on the import/export filters and know limitations. Again, if everyone would invest some time reading the readme file and the help file within Composer, many questions would be answered.
I was going to respond to your other post but could not locate it in search. So I’ll just post it here.
quote:As I mentioned in another post, the first thing we tried did not work...(red circle on black square, put overprint on red circle, it disappears).
What view mode is selected? Without more information my guess would be that “Print Order – Output” was the chosen mode and that it (red circle) still had a cut path assigned. If that is correct, turn the cut off and refresh the screen. Should now display the Red circle on the Black square. However, because OMEGA attempts do display a more accurate representation of output, your Red foil print on Black vinyl with no primer will probably display a very nice shade of “mud.”
This is not directed to you personally, but to everyone, myself included, when installing and learning new software, not just GSP products. Read the “readme” files BEFORE installing the software, if available, read the “what’s new” sections of the manuals/on-line help, and ask questions of prior users, newsgroups, or suppliers of know limitations and problems.
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I too have been on a Omega journey the last 4 months. The thing is, you have to get into the same way of thinking as the program. The same reason the program is so great for edge jobs is the same reason its sooo frustrating.......at first. It shows us what we are asking for on screen. Cut lines, over prints, combining, design/output view all are critical in how a job is layed out and appears on screen.
Omega is not perfect. There is room for improvement. I’ve had my frustrating moments with it, but as I work in the program I find that I’m having less and less problems. It’s not that the software is magically getting better, but that I’m thinking like the software when approaching jobs. Try working out some of your problems with someone who is more knowledgeable with the program. I’ve found that time spent learning the program is more productive than trashing it.
Jim Schneck Dorney Park
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Posts: 27 | From: Whitehall, Pa USA | Registered: Oct 2000
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Firstly, having been a computer programmer in my former life, I do read the necessary documentation first...but, others might not, so it was a valid point. I looked back over the readme file, which becomes available after installation, and it mentions a utility to use if encountering problems installing Omega over previous versions of Omega (not GA). It certainly doesn't read as if that is the preferred method of installation - which is what I gathered from Glenn's post.
I realized afterwards that the red overprint on black was previewing properly...i.e. you wouldn't be able to see red on black in reality either. I'm so used to having to lie to Composer and GAPlot, I figured it was more business as usual.
I was really looking forward to Omega so we could quit lying to the software. It was getting hard to keep track of our lies, so I was dismayed to find a "Known Problems" section with suggested workarounds which, once again, have you telling the software one thing while actually doing another.
We do a lot of printing on Lexedge and in order to get good results we have to lie about both the material and the foil colours. I'm anxious to see if we can give up the charade with Omega. But I'm not looking forward to another round of trial and error at $7.50CDN per foot.
Okay, I'm goin' back in, and I won't complain again until I've finished the tutorials.
P.S., Glenn...in order to go in with a screenprinter's mindset you first have to be trained as a screenprinter!
------------------ Diane Crowther, Metaline Graphics Ltd., Nova Scotia, Canada, ID #285
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