Seriously though, So far I have 2 computers loaded up with Gerber Graphix Advantage, the first cost $6,200.00 Canadian, they gave me a deal on the 2nd. at $3,200.00, Now I'm ready for a third.. and they still want $3,200.00. You think for a measly disk they would lower the price... I guess they don't have to since I have all gerber gear, the edge and the new envision plotter. So I guess I'm stuck with it. Hmmmm I wonder if there's a way around it, since I only want it for design and not to output from it, but I don't think it will fire up without the security key. Just venting... Neil
------------------ "Keep Positive"
SIGNS1st. Neil Butler Paradise, NF
Posts: 6277 | From: St. John's NF Canada | Registered: Mar 1999
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Neil, I may be wrong, and I usually am, but I think Gerber offers software and security chip for design only...you can't plot with it. But, knowing Gerber, they'll want a premium for that too. Good luck.
I didn't get the job doing those 6 Cruisers but thanks anyhow, they wrote back yesterday saying I was too expensive!
AS to your post, I sympathise...I have been asking here for months about the Omega upgrade which was finally made available to us here last month. In the meantime I bought a "cross-grade" to Signlab Colormaster 5. Both Gerber and Signlabs programs sell for about the same but last month I was able to buy this competitor crossgrade for about $1000, and keep my GA, so I now have the best of both worlds, and 2 complete design stations. I am still learning Signlab with the help of Rob Ivers 3 training CD's, and I really like my GA Premier, but one package compliments the other, you can also drive the Edge from Signlab import GA 6.0 and GAD files direct into Signlab, it has some good features like Instant replay, power weed, and some of its design interfaces are easier to use than GA. I am still a big Gerber fan despite buying a Summa cutter as well! I have kept my older Gerber cutters too. I was always under the impression that sprocket cutters gave perfect registration, layer for layer but this is not so, if you buy from a local supplier that cuts and converts rolls and another maybe direct from say Avery as we do here, they are not neccessarily sprocketed at the same speeds, and so if you cut a shadow and then lay vinyl over the top the first few letters line up and then they don't or at least in my experience.....that little problem disappeared with the Summa T750, interesting when so much negativity has surrounded friction machines.
Anyhow if you get no luck with gerber....take a look at Signlab, you can drive your Envision from there too. I set up my Summa with 2 user defaults one for Gerber using HPGL and the other for Signlab using DMPL and the differing baud rates, everything works like clockwork. I believe Signlab is half Canadian too!
------------------ 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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I agree they have a way of getting on your pocket book nerves...but they do ahve a good product and if you like it ...well Hey!
They do have a Design only package at as much lower cost (If I recall around 600. )I have it and networked it with my production computer so I can pull the job over and run the plotter(nothing special required to network just a good network program and a second puter.I love my set up makes all the sense in the world.
"werks fer me it'll werk fer you"
E-mail me if I can help!
------------------ Monte Jumper SIGNLanguage/Norman.Okla.
posted
do you have corel....do design work in it on one computer save to disk as a eps or cmx..i think geber will import both....no key to condend with....it may be somewhat different then gerber..but with all of us here who use it...you got a question we can answer it...and it really isnt that hard to work with...
------------------ joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-944-5060 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND
Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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Sorry you never got the job Henry, Maybe next time, You should look at getting a Digital camera, they are fantastic.. I use mine at least 4 or 5 times a day, I could'nt work without it. You know all your ideas are great and I did think about them before, but I would rather do everything in graphix Advantage.. and we did ask our supplier about a design only package, he said it was no longer available. Can I just load up the software onto a new computer and do the design, then just save to disk and bring it up on another system with the security key then output, or do you have to have the security key on the design system in order for it to fire up. Thanks for your suggestions everyone. Neil
------------------ "Keep Positive"
SIGNS1st. Neil Butler Paradise, NF
Posts: 6277 | From: St. John's NF Canada | Registered: Mar 1999
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Been looking at digital cameras...that's a whole jungle in itself but on my shopping list! I was looking at the Sony cybershot DSc 70 I think....and Nikons Coolpix 950.
I have GA loaded on my computer at home but you have to take the dongle whenever you want to use it. I think its a bad deal to have to pay out max each time, Gerber has an advantage in that they manufacture a whole range of products, and aren't reliant on their software....you are seeing the struggles for software only companies to compete even at Corel's level. I have a dongle for both Signlab and GA and it wasn't so much more to pay out for a good software package, which runs seamlessly with Corel they are neighbours up there in Canada I believe, people swop jobs between both companies no doubt. There is a learning curve with everything, and I find it abit weird after being so used to GA and work mainly with GA now but can see some benefits in the differences in design package, and the benefits of 2 great sign software bundles.
Rob Ivers CD set is great its a Lotus Screencam set up where you run the software in the background and he has an interactive version in the foreground, you go thru a long list 150+ topics from custom setting thru color pallettes, distortions shadows job outputs plot setups in fact everything, you need to know...it is GREAT for learning, I think a lesson for Gerber Flexi, Corel and Adobe there, its like having someone stand over your shoulder showing you the way, and at $199 its saved hours of tech questions or waiting to talk to a technician!
------------------ 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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Thanks for the Info Henry... Jeeze I just checked out your website.. pretty cool looking work there, But I could'nt understand a friggin word HA! I was looking at the scenery in the background and the country looks a lot like Home. I guess in sweden there must be quite a few Log Houses around hey? I handcrafted my own using the Scandanavian Full Scribe method 15 yrs. ago. Neil
------------------ "Keep Positive"
SIGNS1st. Neil Butler Paradise, NF
Posts: 6277 | From: St. John's NF Canada | Registered: Mar 1999
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posted
I wondered if ANYONE knows if I can cut a drop shadow that is not overlapped with a Gerber Advantage 6.2 (softselect) program. The sales rep told me I had to pay another $500. I need them desperately since I think they are a wonderful thing. I don't have Corel, Adobe, etc. and no time to paint one on each letter, etc. Can an xy move do anything? Any suggestions appreciated T-R-E-M-E-D-O-U-S-L-Y-!
------------------ Deb Fowler "You may not be able to stop the boat, but you can change the direction of the sails"
Posts: 5373 | From: Loves Park, Illinois | Registered: Aug 1999
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